Hydro-Morphometric Analysis for Flood Potential Assessment in Swarna Watershed, Karnataka, India- Implication on Coastal Water Conservation and Protection

Abstract A thorough understanding of mountain hydrological processes and a careful assessment of the hydrological characteristics of coastal watersheds are essential for managing floods effectively. This work uses RS and GIS approaches to analyze hydro-morphometric aspects in the Swarna watershed. Gaining important insights into flood zone assessment through the integration of innovative techniques is essential for addressing the challenges posed by climate change in the management of water resources. Finding the highest priority sub-watersheds based on morphometric traits, flood potential indicators, and land use/land cover (LULC) analysis is the main goal of the current study. This all-inclusive approach prioritizes and classifies the detected sub-watersheds by considering thirteen different morphometric characteristics, such as linear, areal, and relief measurements. Further, to improve the ranking process, the current study also incorporates nine LULC features and two indicators of flood potential. Following these extensive evaluations, three groupings of significance—high, moderate, and low—have been established for the sub-watersheds. Within high-priority sub-watersheds, SW5 and SW6 are designated as low flood risk and high groundwater recharge, while SW1 and SW2 are designated as high-risk flood zones and low groundwater recharge areas. These developments present significant opportunities for decision-makers, providing them with a strong foundation for formulating and implementing efficient watershed management plans. Interdisciplinary approaches play a critical role in properly integrating techniques for groundwater recharge and surface water harvesting into flood management plans. Techniques including artificial recharge structures, check dams, and rainwater harvesting systems merged smoothly with conventional flood protection strategies. The long-term welfare of coastal communities is secured by implementing these strategies, which not only reduce the risk of flooding but also improve water supply and ecosystem sustainability.