GEOMORPHOLOGY OF THE BHOGAVATI RIVER BASIN, KOLHAPUR DISTRICT, MAHARASHTRA, INDIA

Watershed development and management plans are very important for surface and groundwater conservation. To prepare a watershed development plan, it becomes important to know the topography, lithology, erosional status and drainage pattern of the area. In the present investigation various morphometric parameters of the Bhogavati river basin are outlined. The Bhogavati river basin is 5th order and shows dendritic to sub-dendritic type drainage pattern. The elongation and circulatory ratio reveals that the Bhogavati river basin is highly elongated and flood flows are easier to manage than that of circulatory basins. The bifurcation ratio reveals that the basin is not having any structural control. The highest number (69) and longest length (99.8 km) of lineament is oriented in NWW-SEE sector while lowest number (32) in NE-SW sector and shortest length (32.6 km) of lineament oriented in NNE-SSW sector. The hypsometric curves suggest that basin is in late youth to early mature stage of the fluvial geomorphic cycle.