Morphometric analysis and weighted sum priority based prioritization of micro-watershed, kiltie watershed, Upper Blue Nile basin, Ethiopia

Micro-watershed prioritization using morphometric parameter analysis is a systematic approach to identifying and ranking micro-watersheds based on their susceptibility to soil erosion. This helps in implementing effective soil and water conservation measures. Soil erosion is one of the earth's surface environmental problems. The objectives of this study were to (1) analyze 27 morphometric parameters in kiltie watershed. (2) Prioritize micro watersheds using weighted sum priority techniques. A morphometric analysis of 10 micro-watersheds was conducted, assessing characteristics such as linear, areal, shape, and relief, features to estimate erosion vulnerability. Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) digital elevation model (DEM) with 30*30 m spatial resolution was used to delineate the micro-watersheds and drainage networks through ArcGIS 10.7.1 software. Micro watersheds were ranked based on their soil erosion susceptibility by using a weighted sum priority (WSP) value derived from various morphometric parameters. The morphometric analysis and erosion evaluation results showed that six micro watersheds (MW1, MW2, MW3, MW4, MW5, and MW8) contributed very high soil erosion in the study area with 78.07% of the total area of the watershed (17.74 km²), three micro watersheds (MW6, MW7, and MW10) contributed high soil erosion with 20.64% of the total area of the watershed(17.74 km²), and one micro watershed (MW9) contributed medium soil erosion with 1.66% of the total area of the watershed (17.74 km²). Therefore, in the study area where soil erosion is significantly very high and we recommend the implementation of effective erosion control techniques that can contribute to long-term soil and water conservation efforts.