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7 Valley fills
These units occupy the lowest reaches in topography with nearly level slope
(Plate 5.7). These landforms are almost linear forms reflecting influence of
fractures/joints. The valley fills are present along the stream courses varying in
thickness and comprising of both alluvial and colluvial materials ranging in size from
pebbles, sand, fine silt and other detrital materials resulting in high infiltration rate.
The valley fills have been identified in the study area and are developed in gneisses.
Plate 5.7: Valley Fills near Hanagodu
Geomorphology map of the study area has been prepared by combining the
different geomorphologic units described above and is shown in Fig. 5.1.
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Figure 5.1: Geomorphology map of the study area
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5.6 Slope Analysis
Slope analysis is an important parameter in geomorphic studies. The slope
elements in turn, are controlled by the climatomorphogenic process in the study
area. An understanding of slope distribution is essential, as slope map provides data
for planning, settlement, mechaniazation of agriculture, reforestation,
deforestration, planning of engineering structures, morphoconservation practices,
etc.
Slope is one of the factors controlling the infiltration of groundwater into
subsurface; hence an indicator for the suitability for groundwater prospect. In the
gentle slope area the surface runoff is slow allowing more time for rainwater to
percolate, whereas high slope area facilitate high runoff allowing less residence time
for rainwater hence comparatively less infiltration. Slope plays a key role in the
groundwater occurrence as infiltration is inversely related to slope. A break in the
slope (i.e. steep slope followed by gentler slope) generally promotes an appreciable
groundwater infiltration (Saraf et al., 1998).
In the present study, the slope analysis has been carried out for the study
area and the topographic information has been collected from Survey of India
topographic maps on 1:50,000 scales in which ground contours of 20 m interval have
been used for the analysis. From the TIN model generated in the Dem model, the
slope map has been prepared using the surface analysis in the 3D analysis of Arcmap
(9.1 v). The guidelines of All India Soil and Land Use Survey (AIS and LUS) on slope
categories (Vide Soil Survey Manual, IARI, 1971) have been adopted for classification
of different category of slope (Table 5.1). The maximum and minimum elevations are
960 m and 740 m respectively. Slope map for the study area has been prepared and
presented (Fig. 5.2).
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Sl.No. Slope Category Slope %
1 Nearly level 0‐1
2 Very gently sloping 1‐3
3 Gently sloping 3‐5
4 Moderately sloping 5‐10
5 Strong sloping 10‐15
6 Moderately steep to 15‐35
7 Very steep slope > 35
Table 5.1: Classification of different slope category according Guidelines of All India Soil and Land
Use Survey (AIS&LUS)
5.7 Drainage Density
Drainage pattern reflects the characteristic of surface as well as subsurface
formation. Drainage density (in terms of km/km2) indicates closeness of spacing of
channels as well as the nature of surface material. The more the drainage density,
the higher would be runoff. Thus, the drainage density characterizes the runoff in the
area or in other words, the quantum of relative rainwater that could have infiltrated.
Hence lesser the drainage density, higher is the probability of recharge or potential
groundwater zone. The drainage density in the area has been calculated after
digitization of the entire drainage basin pattern which was discussed in detail in
chapter 4. Here the drainage density of the study area is shown in Fig. 5.3. It varies
from 0.91 to 2.45 km/km2. The high drainage density area indicates low‐infiltration
rate whereas the low‐density areas are favourable with high infiltration rate.
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Figure 5.2: Slope map of the study area
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Figure 5.3: Drainage map of the study area
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