1.1.
Stream/channel orders and other watershed characteristics
1.1.1. Stream/Channel Order
Stream Ordering: is a method of classifying, or ordering, the hierarchy of natural channels
within a watershed. It was developed by Horton (1945). Several modifications of the original
stream ordering scheme have been proposed, but the modified system of Strahler (1957) is
probably the most popular today. Strahler's stream ordering system is a well-known classification
based on stream/tributary relationships.
The first-order streams (1st ) are defined as channels that have no tributaries.
The second order stream (2nd ) is formed by the junction of two first-order channels.
A third-order channel (3rd ) is formed by the junction of two second-order channels. Thus, a
stream of any order has two or more tributaries of the previous lower order.
Note: the intersection of a channel with another channel of lower order does not raise the order
of the stream below the intersection (e.g., a fourth-order stream intersecting with a second-order
stream is still a fourth- order stream below the intersection).
The Horton-Strahler ordering scheme.
Other channel characteristics
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Bifurcation ratio is defined as the ratio between the number of streams of a particular order to
the number of streams of the next higher order.
Rb = Nw/Nw+1
Where
Rb-bifurcation ratio
Nw-number of stream of a particular order
Example: Determine the bifurcation ratio of the stream with 17 first order stream and 6 second
order stream.
Solution
Nw=17
Nw+1=6
Thus, Rb=17/6=2.83
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Channel Length
Refers to the length of channels of each order. The average length of channels of each
higher order increases as a geometric sequence. Thus, the first-order channels are the
shortest of all the channels and the length increases geometrically as the order
increases. This relation is called Horton's law of channel lengths and can be
formulated as:
where
Lw = total length of all channels of order w
Nw = number of channels of order w
Lw = mean channel length of order w
L1 = mean length of the first-order streams
RL = Stream-Length Ratio generally varies between 1.5 and 3.5
RL = Lw/Lw-1
Channel Slope
It is determined as the elevation difference between the endpoints of the main channel
divided by the channel length.
Channel Profile
It includes the point of origin of the stream called the head, the point of termination
called the mouth, and a decreasing gradient of the stream channel towards the mouth.
Drainage Density
Drainage density (Dd) is the measure of closeness of drainage spacing.
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It is the indication of drainage efficiency of overland flow and the length of overland
flow as well as the index of relative proportions.
It is defined as the length of drainage per unit area.
Dd = L/A
where
L = Total length of all channels of all orders,
A = Area
Horton (1945) recommended using 1/2 the reciprocal of the drainage density to determine the
average length of overland flow (L0) for the entire drainage basin
L0 = 1/(2 Dd)
Where
Dd basically describes the average distance between streams and L 0 approximates the average
length of overland flow from the divides of the stream channels.
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