SWPT: An automated GIS-based tool for prioritization of sub-watersheds based on morphometric and topo-hydrological factors

Omid Rahmati, Mahmood Samadi, Himan Shahabi, Ali Azareh, Elham Rafiei-Sardooi, Hossein Alilou, Assefa M. Melesse, Biswajeet Pradhan, Kamran Chapi, Ataollah Shirzadi

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

56 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The sub-watershed prioritization is the ranking of different areas of a river basin according to their need to proper planning and management of soil and water resources. Decision makers should optimally allocate the investments to critical sub-watersheds in an economically effective and technically efficient manner. Hence, this study aimed at developing a user-friendly geographic information system (GIS) tool, Sub-Watershed Prioritization Tool (SWPT), using the Python programming language to decrease any possible uncertainty. It used geospatial–statistical techniques for analyzing morphometric and topo-hydrological factors and automatically identifying critical and priority sub-watersheds. In order to assess the capability and reliability of the SWPT tool, it was successfully applied in a watershed in the Golestan Province, Northern Iran. Historical records of flood and landslide events indicated that the SWPT correctly recognized critical sub-watersheds. It provided a cost-effective approach for prioritization of sub-watersheds. Therefore, the SWPT is practically applicable and replicable to other regions where gauge data is not available for each sub-watershed.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)2167-2175
Number of pages9
JournalGeoscience Frontiers
Volume10
Issue number6
Early online date4 May 2019
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Nov 2019

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