Extraction and analysis of morphologic and hydrologic properties for Luvuvhu River Catchment in Limpopo province, South Africa

Abstract

Physiographic and topographic changes in Luvuvhu River Catchment are negatively impacting on the catchment hydrology of the area. A study was carried out to extract and analyze the morphologic and hydrologic properties using GIS techniques. Digital Elevation Modeling hydro-processing procedures were used within an ArcGIS environment where Arc hydro tools were used to extract and show the spatial distribution of the properties. A hydrologically correct Digital Elevation Modeling (DEM) was generated and used to obtain primary and derived terrain elements. The results showed the automated delineation of sub-catchments and the spatial distribution of morphometric and hydrologic properties. The analysis showed how the physiographic changes were impacting on the river regimes and water resources.

Delineation of the Luvuvhu Headwater Catchment using high-resolution Digital Elevation Models (DEMs)

“…This is attributed to the use of high-resolution DEMs for the delineation. The methods used by Kundu et al, 2013 and those for this study are similar with a distinct difference in the DEMs used. As a result, the map delineated for this study presents a more complex drainage system that will require classification through ground proofing to determine the characteristics of the delineated rivers.…”

“…The study of headwater streams depends heavily on the knowledge of the stream ordering and size of the catchment being studied. These studies must be informed initially by well-defined drainage systems using geoinformatics techniques (Kundu et al, 2013). Kundu et al (2013) carried out similar research within the LRC, and their results are displayed in Figure 3.…”

“…These studies must be informed initially by well-defined drainage systems using geoinformatics techniques (Kundu et al, 2013). Kundu et al (2013) carried out similar research within the LRC, and their results are displayed in Figure 3. This produced a branched river network that was better than the existing maps of that time.…”

“…Figure 3: The resulting map of the extraction and analysis of morphologic and hydrologic properties for Luvuvhu River Catchment(Kundu et al, 2013).…”

The impacts of land cover change on stream discharges in Luvuvhu River Catchment, Vhembe District, Limpopo Province, South Africa

“…Figure 2 showed the area under forest/woodland, while Figure 3 showed the area under arable land. The pre-change geo-topes of planted forests and farms showed clear corridors, sizes, shapes and connectivity (Kundu et al [15]). Analysis of the results in both Figures showed that the dominant land cover classes had changed tremendously by 1989, where mixed classes of forest/woodland, grassland and shrubland covered 60% while agriculture and built-up area covered 40%.…”