Effect of Terrain on Stream Junctions and Drainage Density: A Study of Kadvi River Basin, Maharashtra

Background/Objectives: The present research study focuses the drainage characteristics of river Kadvi of Maharashtra. Surface run off also influencing by the basin characteristics of river. Various types of soil, gradient of basin, shape and size of river basin also affects on the runoffs and directly or indirectly influencing on the drainage densities of the river basins. Methods/Analysis: The analysis of drainage densities and river patterns of Kadvi river basin has attempted on the basis of Topographic maps of 47G-16, 47H-13 and 47L-1 at the scale of 1:50,000. Maps for drainage density were prepared using ERDAS IMAGINE 9.1 software and Arc GIS software. Findings: The higher drainage densities are associated with the steep slopes of the landscapes. Present study also reveals that, Stream flow and direction is closely related with hydrology of the river. Stream flow and direction indicate the topographic pattern, soil structure, rock formation of the basin. Applications/ Improvements: In view of hydrological studies, the analytical results can help for the proper management of Kadvi river basin. The investigation techniques using geoinformatics can be applied to the other river basins also. Keywords: Drainage Density, Drainage Network, Drainage Pattern, GIS technique, Stream Flow, Stream Junctions (Nodes)