Automatic delimitation and morphometrics analysis of watersheds and sub-watersheds using a digital elevation data set in the Cornare Antioquia, Colombia jurisdiction

• Published in: Revista Facultad Nacional de Agronomía, Medellín Medellín, 2022-12, Vol.75 (3), p.10037-10051
• Main Authors: Pérez-López, Astrid Elena, Melo, Valdinar Ferreira, Fernandes Filho, Elpídio Inácio, Francelino, Marcio Rocha
• Format: Article
• Language: eng ; por
• Subjects: AGRONOMY
• ISSN: 2248-7026
• DOI: 10.15446/rfnam.v75n3.100663

ABSTRACT Basin hydrological and morphometric parameters are elements that must be made on a map with sufficient information. This information collected on-site has been limited by public order problems. Basin circularity index (Ci) is among the morphometric indices, which has not been calculated yet for the basins under study. Basins automatic delimitation carried out from Geographic Information Systems (GIS), has allowed its research and management due to efficiency in data processing, ease, and low cost; in addition, increase images and databases availability. The work aim was to evaluate the Digital Elevation Model (DEM) SRTM proposed methodology in the Corporación Autónoma Regional de las Cuencas de los Ríos Negro y Nare (Cornare) jurisdiction, extracting from it the numerical drainage, in order to delimit basins and sub-basins, as well as calculate indices, such as drainage density (Dd) and Ci. The declivity map showed terrain with very soft to very strong surface relief. Basin´s automatic delimitation based on the drainage order ≥6 was the one that came closest to the basin actual characteristics; regarding the sub-basins delimitation, it was the one based on the ≥3 order. Dd and Ci indices indicated that the sub-basins have moderate drainage, runoff level, and infiltration capacity and tend to be more elongated than circular.