MORPHOLOGICAL ANALYSIS FOR IDENTIFICATION OF RIVER TRAINING SITES IN A STRETCH OF THE GANGA RIVER USING SATELLITE IMAGERY

Abstract

River Ganga in India, not only has religious significance, it is lifeline of north India. Over centuries, the rich flood plain of Ganga has been put to use by mankind. In turn, the river experiences flood annually, causing to life and properties. Further changes in planform of the river is 'causing extensive damage, and ultimately wiping out agricultural land and urban and rural population in its path. The channel migration includes any change in river channel geometry with reference to x-section, the pattern or network of drainage basin. Plan form analysis helps in understanding the changes in channel pattern in time and space. The study has been carried out by using topomap (base year 1973-74) as the base data and compared with River position as seen in two satellite imageries of year 1989 and 1992. The main objective of this study have been - i) To study the changes in River pattern, River bank shifting i.e. erosion and deposition and also to understand the trend of shifting and lateral extent of channel migration. ii) To identify the stetches which are more seiisiLive, voilent and critical after analysing morphological as- well as hydraulic parameters in reach between Mirzapur to confluence poit of Sone with Ganga, so that proper River training measures can be taken to save Agricultural land and cities from flooding.