By: Luvditya Khurana, Kuldeep Kumar, and Devendra Pratap Singh
1. Assistant Professor, Department of Architecture, Amity School of Architecture and Planning, Amity University, Noida, UP, India
2. Associate Professor, Department of Architecture, Amity School of Architecture and Planning, Amity University, Noida, UP, India
3. Professor, Department of Architecture, Amity School of Architecture and Planning, Amity University, Noida, UP, India
Abstract: A watershed also known as a drainage basin or catchment area, constitutes a fundamental hydrological unit encompassing a delineated land surface from which all runoff converges into a common drainage system, channel, or water body. Recognized as vital frameworks for resource assessment and sustainable development planning, watersheds epitomize the intricate interplay between land and water resources, offering optimal synergies for holistic management approaches. This paper embarks on a comprehensive exploration of watershed dynamics, encompassing the hydrological cycle’s continuous stream of water through precipitation, evaporation, and plant transpiration. The hydrological cycle orchestrates a perpetual exchange of water among the Earth’s spheres—atmosphere, land, and ocean—sustaining life and shaping landscapes. Within this cycle, running water emerges as a principal sculptor, reshaping terrains through erosion, transport, and sediment deposition, thereby crafting diverse landforms such as canyons, valleys, deltas, alluvial fans, and floodplains. This study focuses on the intricacies of channel and overland flows within watersheds, elucidating their roles in landscape transformation and hydrological connectivity. Through a meticulous assessment of drainage basin characteristics—including topography, land use/land cover, soil properties, vegetation dynamics, and climatic regimes—insights are gleaned into the complex interplay shaping hydrological processes, runoff generation, and sediment transport within watersheds. Utilizing advanced geospatial techniques and hydrological modeling, the spatial variability of these characteristics is elucidated, empowering stakeholders with crucial information for informed decision-making in watershed management and planning endeavors. By synthesizing diverse research insights and best practices, this paper serves as a beacon for policymakers, resource managers, and stakeholders vested in fostering resilience and sustainability within watersheds. Through a holistic understanding of drainage basin characteristics and the adoption of innovative management approaches, the quest for water security, environmental integrity, and socio-economic resilience is advanced amidst the backdrop of evolving hydrological regimes and anthropogenic pressures.
Keywords: Watershed, drainage basin, hydrological cycle, run off, stream, channel flow, overland flow.
Citation:
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