Determination of basin parameters for hydrological modeling with geographical information systems

Flow measurement may not be performed in some river basins due to various reasons or lack of measurements. Various methods are suggested to estimate flow data which needed for analyzes like estimating flood forecasting, reservoir management operation, flow duration curve etc. in gauged or ungauged basins. In this study, it is aimed to determine the basin and drainage network parameters by using Geographical Information Systems (GIS) approach which will be the basis for flow and solids estimation studies in river basins. These parameters are especially important for the establishment of regional prediction models, identification of sub-basins with similar characteristics, and estimation studies in basins which has no hydrological data. For this purpose, Ceyhan basin is chosen as the application area. 25 sub basins which has observation values and 33 sub basins which has no observation values determined in the application area. 52 morphometric, drainage and physical parameters of the basin were determined automatically and / or by calculation with the help of Digital Elevation Model (DEM) and Geographical Information Systems (GIS) in these basins. The relationship between the parameters which calculated for the sub-basins which has observation values and the stream currents was studied graphically. It is thought that the results obtained within the scope of the study will provide significant contributions especially to the estimation works.