Morphometric analysis of Kagunuzi sub-basin in Kibira national park north-western part of Burundi using geospatial techniques

In the present study, an attempt has been made to understand the importance of Digital Elevation Model for the analyses of drainage network and to extract the relative attributes for the Kagunuzi sub-basin. With geospatial techniquesof Remote Sensing and GIS, several morphometric parameters have been determined to understand the hydrological and geomorphological characteristics of Kagunuzi sub-basin. The morphometric parameters considered for the analysis includes the linear, areal and relief aspects which were carried out to illustrate the drainage characteristics and morphology of Kagunuzi sab-basin.The bifurcation ratio (Rbm) is 2.050 which suggest moderate structural disturbance. Rho Coefficient value for Kagunuzi river basin span from 0.0073 to 2.388, the largest value suggesting higher storage during floods and attenuation of effects of erosion during elevated discharge. The elongated nature of the Kagunuzi sub-basin can be determined by the value of form factor ratio, which is 0.124. The high gradient ratio Rg of 14.348 of Kagunuzi sab-basin reflects the mountainous nature of the terrain. The elongation ratio of the Kagunuzi sab-basin is 0.397. Hence, it is clear that the watershed basin is elongated. The study has highlighted the significance of ASTER G DEM; RS&GIS based approach inthe evaluation of drainage morphometric parameters and their influence on drainage characteristics.These results will be useful in effective basin management and hydrological studies in Kagunuzi sub-basin in particularly to estimate hydropower potential in downstream of Rwegura and for irrigation scheme in Bubanza district.