Abstract
The geomorphologic conditions are essential pre-requisites in understanding the water bearing characteristics of hard rocks. Hence, in the present paper efforts have been made to identify the spatial distributed nature of the Varaganadhi watershed using Geographical Information System (GIS). GIS has also been used to describe the various thematic layers such as physiography, landuse/landcover, geomorphology, soil, etc. The morphological parameters such as stream order, stream length, bifurcation ratio, form factor, circulatory ratio, elongation ratio, drainage density, drainage frequency, ruggedness number, etc. were computed. Thematic maps pertaining to landuse/cover, geology, and geomorphology were colleted from PWD of Periyakulam, Theni, Tamilnadu. These maps were scanned and the images were georeferenced in Geomedia software and the basic morphometric parameters were calculated. Integration of base maps and morphometric parameters with geoprofessional techniques, has led into the delineation of the areas suitable for adapting soil and water conservation measures. In addition, usage of GIS in watershed management studies can help the planners in carrying out various watershed developmental activities like construction of culverts, design of spillways of small dams, construction of flood protection levees and agriculture, etc.