Morphometry and Morphostructural Studies of the Parts of Gola River and Kalsa River Basins, Chanphi-Okhalkanda Region, Kumaun Lesser Himalaya, India

Abstract

Study of morphometric parameters such as stream length (Lu) and stream length ratios (Rl), bifurcation ratio (Rb), drainage density (D), form factor (Rf), circularity ratio (Rc), elongation ratio (Re) and asymmetry factor (Af) in the Gola and Kalsa River Basins show a strong structural/tectonic control over the drainage in the study area and also indicate intense tectonic activity in the recent past. Field studies also suggest that several parts of the study area are structurally controlled and neotectonically active, e.g. incidences of landslides, presence of asymmetrical river terraces, river incision, formation of deep gorges, triangular facets and tilting of recent deposits etc. Morphometric parameters also suggest a possibility of flash floods and high discharges in few sub-basins.