Morphometric Characteristics of Erosion Activity in the Komel River Basin

Abstract

The study area is represented by the Komel River basin, which is located in Duhok Governorate, northern Iraq. Several secondary basins are selected in the northeast of Sheikhan district within the main Komel River basin. This basin is located between longitudes (43º 29´ 00= – 43º 10´ 30=) east, and latitudes (36º 57´ 30= – 36º 46´ 30=) north. The study aims to determine the erosion activity of the main Komel River basin and the secondary basins that make up the basin, by finding the morphometric characteristics and the shape of the hypsometric curve for these basins using the WMS7.1 Watershed Modeling System program. The results of the morphometric analysis are represented by the value of (Hi) and the shape of the hypsometric curve of the Great Komel River basin and its secondary basins showing a discrepancy in erosion activity from one basin to another. The topographical variation of the basins such as the rocky discoveries and the vegetation cover of each basin has been seen. The morphometric characteristics of the basins in general and the main basin, in particular, show the possibility of exploiting the main Komel basin in the water harvesting, as it is a basin in the maturity stage presented by the (Hi) value of (0.40) and is compatible with its hypsometric curve shape. The validity of the Komel River basin in the field of water harvesting is an encouraging conclusion for the development of planting this area with forest trees, pastoral plants, and crops. In a manner that suits the climatic environment of the region, especially if we take into account the basin area of (536,253) square kilometers, which will make the area a facility Tourist.