Remote Sensing and GIS-Based evolution of drainage network in the VidArbha Region of Maharashtra (INDIA)

Waterways provide valuable information for regional drainage, water movement on the surface, irrigation support and environmental planning. The present study introduces a GIS based spatial evaluation of the mapped water ways in Vidarbha region of Maharashtra. The analysis was based on the extraction, classification and quantification of linear hydrographic elements of rivers, streams, canals and drains. The spatial processing was done using GIS based spatial processing and the area class-wise composition, total mapped length and the hydrographic pattern of the area was examined. The waterway features mapped were primarily streams (2,316 features, total length ~15,343.61 km) with several smaller tributary and local drainage channels. Rivers had the greatest total mapped length, suggesting that they represent the most continuous drainage corridors. Only secondary managed-water features were canals and drains were a small percentage of the mapped network. Major rivers such as Penganga, Wardha, Purna, Wainganga and Pranhita were identified as the surface-water connectivity in the region. The mapped waterway density is estimated at 0.173 km per km² which represents a moderately developed waterway network. This study is helpful to illustrate the application of the GIS technique in analysing the distribution of water ways, dominance of water ways by the classes and the regional hydrographic structure. The results serve as a spatial basis for watershed planning, irrigation management, drainage assessment, understanding flood risks and environmental monitoring in Vidarbha region of Maharashtra.