Stream dynamics change analysis of River Chambal using Remote Sensing and GIS techniques

In the present investigation, an effort has been made to study the stream dynamics of the Chambal River using Remote Sensing and Geographical Information System techniques. To determine the changes in flow dynamics, meandering and Entrenchment Ratio (ER) of the Chambal river satellite data of MSS (1972), TM (1990) and ETM+ (2000) has been used. In this study, the bankfull width of the river was obtained by digitizing the MSS, TM and ETM+ satellite imaginaries. The central flow lines of the river in all three years were digitized and compared to find out flow dynamics, meandering and Entrenchment Ratio (ER). The origin of the river was considered from the Rana Pratap Sagar dam. The river dynamics changes at forest land, ravineous land and the places where it joins river Yamuna. The river Chambal has been found to be meander continuously towards the right during past 28 years at a distance of 140 km away from the origin. The maximum and minimum width of the river Chambal was found to be 1698 and 227.23 m at a distance of 300 and 150 km respectively. The maximum ER was found to be 3.5 at a distance of 350 km away from the origin. The study revealed that RS and GIS techniques are useful to find out the stream dynamics of the river.