Automated Analysis the Watershed of Yarmouk Basin Using ASTER (DEM) Data and GIS

Abstract

This study deals with Yarmouk River Basin in terms of analyzing the geo-morphological characteristics, (ASTER) data was used for preparing digital elevation model (DEM), which is available globally in Geo TIF format of 90m resolution, and geographical information system (GIS) was used in evaluation of linear, areal and relief aspects of morphometric parameters. Watershed boundary, flow length, stream ordering have been prepared using ArcHydro Tool; and contour, slope-aspect, hillshade have been prepared using Surface Tool in ArcGIS-10.1 software. In this study the geo-morphological characteristics were analyzed for watershed properties, and network, within an area differences in: geology, climate, and topography. Its total Catchment area about 6790 km ² in Syria , Jordan, and Golan Heights in Israiel (Occupied Palestine). The main results of the study could be summarized in the followings: 1. Area classified by relief to three main parts:- the western, which is part of the Jordan Rift Valley (JRV) drops from 0 – 270 m. b.s.l, :- the mountainous area reaches a height of 1200 m, in the northern Jordan , while rising up to1800 m in southern Syria. 2. Variation in slope degrees ranging between flat (level) accounted for 32 % of the study area, to the severe cliffs by 10%. 3. Drainage density 0.68 km \ km ². 4. Different areas of Sub- watershed the largest one (A) which forms 32.5% of the total study area, and the smallest (E)which form only 4%. 5. Stream order seventh with 5 km length, the total length of the tributaries from first order – seventh order 4567 km. 6. Basin relief 12.6 m \ km.