Calculating Geometry and Drainage Density

In order to calculate drainage density for a basin or sub-basin, you must first ensure that you have the lengths of all channels within the basin's boundaries (rivers, streams, etc.), as well as the area for the entire basin. Drainage density is calculated using the formula: Drainage Density = total length channels (m) = m-1 basin area (m2) The rocedure below outlines the ste s for calculating drainage density in !rc"I# $%. Note: It is important that the data you are working with is in a projected coordinate system with relevant units. Using unprojected data as input for these calculations will yield incorrect results. Step 1 Adding Fields

& en !rc'a and add the stream and basin files you are wor(ing with to the ma document. )ight-clic( the stream layer's name in the table of contents and select Open Attribute able. *+amine the attribute table to determine if there is a field containing length values. If a length field does not e+ist, this ro erty can be calculated with minimal effort using the ste s below: a. ,lic( the able Options icon ( ) and select Add !ield.

b. *nter a short, descri tive name for the field and choose a data ty e of "ouble. ,lic( &-.

Step 2

Calculating Geometry

"eometry calculations must be erformed in an active editing session. *diting sessions are initiated using the #ditor toolbar. If you do not see the #ditor toolbar on your screen, access the $ustomi%e menu and select oolbars & #ditor. The toolbar should a ear on your screen.

,lic( #ditor & 'tart #diting to initiate an editing session. )eturn to the attribute table and highlight your new field by clic(ing on the column heading. )ight-clic( and select $alculate (eometry

#et the )roperty field to *ength. #elect the desired coordinate system and units. ,lic( &-. The length of each line segment is calculated and entered in to the attribute table. ,lic( the #ditor dro down arrow and select 'top #diting. #ave your edits when rom ted.

)e eat the ste s above to add an !)*! field to your basin attribute table, start an editing session, and set the .ro erty to Area in the ,alculate "eometry dialog. /ou will li(ely want to add a field for the final results of your calculation as well0 re eat ste $ above to add a D*1#IT/ field with a double data ty e to your basin attribute table. Step 3 Using the Field Calculator

The field calculator is rovided for use when you wish to calculate a ro erty that is not related to the geometry of the data. !s mentioned above, we (now that drainage density is e2ual to the total length of all channels within the basin divided by the total area of the basin: Drainage Density = total length channels (m) = m-1 basin area (m2) /ou can see from the e2uation that you are re2uired to sum the lengths of the channels calculated in #te 3. It is not necessary to do so manually0 instead, o en the attribute table that is associated with your channels, right-clic( on the 4*1"T5 field and select 'tatistics. The resulting dialog rovides general statistics for the 4*1"T5 field, including the sum of its values. 'a(e note of the total sum for use in the ne+t ste . #tart an editing session and o en the basin attribute table. )ight-clic( on the D*1#IT/ field and select !ield $alculator.

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In the 6ield ,alculator: a. *nter the total channel length b. ,lic( the division sign to enter it into the e+ ression c. Double-clic( the !)*! field in the !ields list so that it is entered into the e+ ression bo+. d. ,lic( &-. The drainage density will be calculated and entered in the basin attribute table. e. ,lic( #ditor & 'top #diting and save your edits when rom ted.

/ou should now have a field in your basin attribute table dis laying the drainage density for each individual basin.