Assessing Basin Characteristics in the Mula-Mutha Watershed: Using Sub-Basin Morphometry and Principal Component Analysis

River basins are fundamental geographical units that influence water flow and landform development. Geomorphometric studies are essential for quantifying various basin characteristics and for understanding landform development processes. The article presents a geomorphometric analysis of the Mula-Mutha River basin with special focus placed on fifth-order streams. The morphometric parameters of the basin are analyzed using conventional methods and digital elevation models. The results indicate that geomorphometric parameters, such as drainage density, stream frequency, and the hypsometric integral, provide insight into the drainage system and landform development. The Mula-Mutha watershed, with its elongated shape and highly dissected terrain, exhibits characteristics typical of an older stage of landform development. Analysis of fifth-order basins indicates variations in hypsometric integral values, which suggests a transition from mature to old stages of landform development. Principal component analysis is used to identify the key parameters characterizing the basin: its shape, including size, stream network, relief, and shape and texture of the drainage network. Such studies contribute to the understanding of landform processes, providing valuable insights for environmental studies and water resource management.