Using Digital Elevation Model (DEM) and it’s applications in morphometric analysis for the upper part of Tigris River basin northern west of Iraq

Abstract

Most morphometric studies have been based upon map derived data, spatial information technology i.e. remote sensing, geographic information system and global position system has proved to be an efficient tool in delineation of drainage pattern and water resources management and its planning. The study area located approximately between 42° 00 E' to 43° 30'E and 36° 00 'N to 36°59 'N, it covered an area about 9814.33 square kilometer between Ninewa and Duhok governorate, this study focused on calculate morphometric parameters to the area under study using suitable remote sensing data and GIS technologies. The morphometric parameters were computed using ARC GIS version 9.3software. The drainage pattern derived from digital elevation data showed that the basin is dendritic to sub dendritic with 9 stream order. The total number of stream is 192824. The summation of stream length is 238125 km. Basin area is 9814.33 square kilometers, drainage density is 24.26 kilometers/square kilometers, circulation factor is 0.522, elongation factor is 0.99, bifurcation ratio is 3.81, form factor is 7.76, texture ratio is 476.4, relief ratio is 10.55, and stream frequency is 19.64. The computed morphometric parameters showed the late youth stage of the river age.