Morphometry Characteristics Delineation and Bathymetry Mapping of Lake Dal, Kashmir valley, India using Geospatial Techniques

During recent decades human impact on lake ecosystems has increased due to intensification of agriculture, irrigation, water consumption, and electrical purposes. Particularly strong changes have been observed in shallow lakes, which are more sensitive to environmental changes and characterized by unfavorable morphometric parameters.(Agnieszka E.Lawniczak et al., 2011) Bathymetry is a key element of surface water body, which includes the shape, area, volume and depth (N.Khare, et al., 2008 and N.Basos, et al., 2014). Bathymetry survey are maps that can be used to describe the lakes physical characteristics and also help in learn more about the effects of climate change on the environment. Bathymetry mapping in lake Dal using echo sounders forms first of its kind to prepare the bathymetry map and delineate various morphometry characteristics based on the geospatial analysis. Garmin 178 sounder has been used to carry out Bathymetry survey and Global positioning system (GPS) are used to compute Longitude, latitude, depth and water temperature. Results of the field survey are used to generate contour maps, morphometry maps and base maps. The Maximum depth of the lake is 6.4 meters, which is traced at the western part of the lake. Several morphometric parameters for the Dal lake has been computed which includes Maximum Length (7.76 Km), Maximum Effective Length (5.99 Km) Effective width of (3.02 Km), Relative Depth 0.15 %, Length of Shore line (29.93 Km) Shore Line Development (2.24) and the Total Lake Area (14.11 Sq Km)