Open AccessMorphometric analysis and prioritisation of watersheds for flood risk management in Wadi Easal Basin ( WEB ), Jordan, using geospatial technologies
Author(s) -
Obeidat Mutawakil,
Awawdeh Muheeb,
AlHantouli Farah
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
journal of flood risk management
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.049
H-Index - 36
ISSN - 1753-318X
DOI - 10.1111/jfr3.12711
Subject(s) - wadi , structural basin , flash flood , drainage basin , hydrology (agriculture) , groundwater recharge , drainage density , flood myth , flooding (psychology) , geospatial analysis , drainage , geology , environmental science , groundwater , geomorphology , geography , remote sensing , cartography , ecology , psychology , geotechnical engineering , archaeology , aquifer , psychotherapist , biology
Morphometric analysis and sub‐watersheds prioritisation were carried out for the Wadi Easal Basin, Jordan, which is characterised by a high topographic diversity. The total ranking method was applied to prioritise the sub‐watersheds in terms of susceptibility to flash flood. Results of morphometric analysis revealed that the study area is a fifth order drainage system with a dendritic drainage pattern and elongated shape. Prioritisation results showed that about 71% (15 out of 21 sub‐watersheds) of sub‐watersheds have high‐very high susceptibility to flooding, which forms about 64% of the total area of the basin. The main underlying morphometric parameters behind this are the high drainage density, stream frequency, high basin relief, basin slope, ruggedness number, and circulatory ratio, and the low value of basin shape. Overall, the basin has a rugged topography with steep slopes and high relief. Since the basin is ungauged, and no information about its past hydrological behaviour is present, the results of this study can be used as guidance for competent authorities to initialize flood mitigation or artificial groundwater recharge measures.