Stream order I II III IV

Stream length (m) 450 175 30 1

Determine stream frequency, if area of watershed is 100ha.
Solution- The formula for drainage density is given as under:
∑𝐾
𝑖=1 𝑁𝑢
𝐹= 𝐴𝑢
𝑖

in which, ∑𝐾
𝑖=1 𝑁𝑢𝑖 = (450 +175 + 30 +1) =656.0 and 𝐴𝑢 = 100ℎ𝑎. Substituting value of the parameter in
above formula and solving, we have,
656
𝐹= =
100 𝑥 10000
= 𝟔. 𝟓𝟔𝒙 𝟏𝟎−𝟒 𝒎−𝟐 Ans.

Problem (5) A watershed comprises its drainage density as 0.005m-1. Calculate length of overland flow of
watershed, if its channel slope is 0.5% and average ground slope is 1.5%.
Solution- The formula for length of overland flow, accounting the effect of channel slope and average ground
slope, is given as under:
1
𝐿𝑔 =
𝜃
2𝐷𝑑 √1−( 𝑐 )
𝜃 𝑔

in which 𝐷𝑑 is the drainage density of watershed (0.005m-1); 𝜃𝑐 is the slope of channel (0.005) and 𝜃𝑔 is the
average ground slope of watershed is given as 0.015. Substituting these values in above formula and solving, we
have,
1
𝐿𝑔 = 0.005
2 𝑥 0.005√1−( )
0.015
= 𝟏𝟐𝟐. 𝟎𝒎 𝑨𝒏𝒔.
Relief
It is defined as the elevation difference between the reference points located in the damage basin.
Relief Ratio
It is the ratio of relief to the horizontal distance on which relief is measured.
Maximum Basin Relief
It is the elevation difference between basin outlet and the highest point located at the perimeter of
the basin.
Relative Relief
It is the ratio of maximum basin relief to the basin perimeter, expressed as under,
𝐻
𝑅ℎ𝑝 = 𝑥100
𝑃
In which, 𝑅ℎ𝑝 is the relative relief (%); H is the maximum basin relief (m) and P is the basin perimeter
(m)
Problem (6) A watershed of 100ha size has been surveyed for determining its relief status. The measured
elevations in different aspects are given as under:
1. Elevation of watershed out let= 12.5m
2. Elevation of highest point located at watershed boundary =7.75m
3. Elevation of highest point within boundary = 9.75m
4. Elevation of lowest point within watershed = 11.35m
Determine followings:
i. Maximum relief and
ii. Maximum basin relief.
Solution- Computations are presented as under:
1. Maximum relief- It is the elevation difference between highest and lowest points located within
watershed. Accordingly,
Rmax = 11.35-9.75= 1.60m Ans.
2. Maximum basin relief- It is the elevation difference between basin outlet and highest point located at
watershed perimeter. Accordingly,
 Rb max = 12.5- 7.75= 4.75m Ans.
Problem (7)-. In a watershed the elevations of highest points (A) and lowest point (B) are 12.50 and 15.50m,
respectively. Determine relief ratio, if horizontal distance between both the points is 1500m.
Solution- Relief ratio is presented by the following relationship,
𝐻
𝑅ℎ = 𝐿
in which, H is the relief is elevation difference between highest and lowest points is 15.5- 12.5m=3.0m and L is
the horizontal distance between both the points is given as 1500m. Accordingly,
3.0
𝑅ℎ = 1500
= 𝟎. 𝟎𝟎𝟐 𝑨𝒏𝒔.
Problem (8). Determine the value of relative relief of a watershed, if maximum basin relief is 3.75m and
perimeter of drainage basin is 1250m.
Solution- Using following formula for relative relief of watershed,
𝐻
𝑅ℎ𝑝 = 𝑥 100
𝑝
in which, H is the maximum basin relief, given as 3.75m and p is the perimeter of watershed is 1250. Therefore,
3.75
𝑅ℎ𝑝 = 1250 𝑥 100
= 𝟎. 𝟑𝟎% 𝑨𝒏𝒔
Problem (9). The elevation of outlet and highest point located at basin perimeter is 15.0 and 11.45m,
respectively. The length of basin perimeter is 2.55km. Determine the value of maximum basin relief and relative
relief of watershed.
Solution- Computations are presented as under:
1. Maximum basin relief- It is the elevation difference between basin outlet and highest point located at
watershed perimeter. Accordingly, 15-11.45=3.55m Ans.
2. Relative relief- It is given by the following formula,
𝐻
𝑅ℎ𝑝 = 𝑥 100
𝑝
in which, H is the maximum basin relief, given as 3.55m and p is the perimeter of watershed is 2550m.
Therefore,
3.55
𝑅ℎ𝑝 = 2550 𝑥 100
= 𝟎. 𝟏𝟒% 𝑨𝒏𝒔

Suggested References
5. Soil & Water Conservation Engineering- R. Suresh
6. Hydrology and Soil Conservation – G. Das