Morphometric Analysis of Upper Yewa River Basin: Hydrological and Geomorphological Insights in Southwest Nigeria
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.53797/aseana.v5i1.2.2025Keywords:
Morphometric analysis, drainage basin, yewa river, upper course, southwest nigeriaAbstract
Abstract
The upper course of the Yewa River Basin in Southwest Nigeria plays a vital role in regional hydrology, contributing significantly to groundwater recharge, surface runoff, and sediment transport. However, this region faces growing hydrological instability due to increasing anthropogenic pressures such as deforestation, sand mining, urbanisation, and unsustainable agricultural practices. Despite its importance, the morphometric characteristics of this section remain underexplored, limiting efforts to develop effective watershed management strategies. This study employs high-resolution geospatial datasets and advanced GIS techniques to conduct a detailed morphometric analysis of the upper Yewa River Basin, focusing on parameters such as drainage density, stream frequency, bifurcation ratio, and basin shape indices. The findings reveal a predominantly dendritic drainage pattern, moderate to high relief ratios, and structural homogeneity, indicating significant runoff potential and erosion susceptibility. This research fills a critical knowledge gap by linking morphometric features with landscape vulnerability; thus providing actionable data for informed catchment planning, environmental conservation, and sustainable water resource management in the context of land-use change and climate variability.
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