Morphologic Parameters and Hydrological Response in Stream Order Groups of Cyprus Watersheds

Abstract This study targets the absence of thorough morphometric–hydrological evaluations in ungauged and semi-arid basins, where precise flood estimates and watershed management are limited by an absence of rainfall–runoff data. The main goal is to improve flood prediction and basin prioritization in areas with limited data by developing a mathematical framework that connects basin geometry and hydrological response. Using GIS data alongside a high-resolution (6 m) digital elevation model, we analysed 253 basins larger than 0.5 km 2 within the Cyprus model to identify 45 various dimensions and non-dimensional measures. Peak discharge $$\left( {{Q_{\text{p}}}} \right)$$ <mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"> <mml:mfenced> <mml:msub> <mml:mi>Q</mml:mi> <mml:mtext>p</mml:mtext> </mml:msub> </mml:mfenced> </mml:math> , time to peak $$\left( {{t_{\text{p}}}} \right)$$ <mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"> <mml:mfenced> <mml:msub> <mml:mi>t</mml:mi> <mml:mtext>p</mml:mtext> </mml:msub> </mml:mfenced> </mml:math> and base time $$\left( {{t_{\text{b}}}} \right)$$ <mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"> <mml:mfenced> <mml:msub> <mml:mi>t</mml:mi> <mml:mtext>b</mml:mtext> </mml:msub> </mml:mfenced> </mml:math> are important hydrological parameters calculated using the Mockus method along with 1-h synthetic unit hydrographs. Peak discharge, relief ratio, and drainage density were found to have a strong correlation ( R 2 = 0.9912). For flood-risk assessment, watershed prioritisation, and sustainable land-use planning in Mediterranean environments, the results show that morphometric parameters can be used as reliable proxies for hydrological behaviour in ungauged, semi-arid regions.