EFFECTS OF LAND COVER CHANGE ON SURFACE RUNOFF USING GEOINFORlVIATICS AND CURVE NUMBER TECHNIQUE

Abstract

An increase in impervious surfaces results in greater surface runoff as these surfaces prevent water infiltration into the soil, resulting in increased runoff generation which disturbs the hydrological system. The main objective of the study was to estimate the runoff using Soil Conservation Services Curve Number (SCS-CN) method and remote sensing and GIS techniques in Abbottabad and Haripur districts of Pakistan. The districts of Abbottabad and Haripur were selected because the impervious cover is increasing rapidly. Rainfall, slope and soil conditions in our area are suitable for this study. Basic purpose of the study was to estimate the effects of land use land cover change on runoff response from the years 2000 to 2016. Rainfall data was acquired from Tropical rainfall measuring mission's satellite imagery. Landsat satellite images were used to determine the land use /land cover changes. The volume of runoff from the watershed was estimated using the land use/ land cover combined with a hydrological, model (SCS-CN).