Analysis of surface runoff potential in ungauged basin using basin parameters and SCS-CN method

The present research work was carried out to understand the influence of basin morphometric parameters on runoff potential in an ungauged basin using satellite images, topographical maps, and rainfall data combined with geospatial techniques. The upper Gosthani river basin is an ungauged basin which is located in the Eastern Ghats of Visakhapatnam District, Andhra Pradesh State, Southern India. The river Gosthani and its tributaries are draining through the basin area covering about 321.1 km2. The quantitative analysis of basin morphometry reveals that the area is under influenced by steep ground slopes, with moderate to less permeable rocks, leading to high runoff. The basin is elongated in shape resulting to flatter peak of flow for longer duration. The daily rainfall data during 2008–2016 were used in the estimation of runoff potential with the help of the Soil Conservation Service-Curve Number (SCS-CN) model. The weighted curve number was determined by the integration of land use and land cover, antecedent moisture condition, and hydrological soil groups. It was observed from the analysis that the overall increase in runoff corresponding to the rainfall. The area receives a good amount of rainfall, but most of it lost as surface runoff (nearly 40% of total rainfall) due to rapid overland flow and impermeable rocks. Analysis of morphometric parameters combined with SCS-CN-based approaches can be explored as an alternative for simulating the hydrological response of the basins.