Morphometric Characteristics Analysis of the Sazan Valley Basin in Sulaymaniyah Governorate

Assistant Lecturer, Department of Geography, College of Arts, University of Baghdad, Iraq

^* Corresponding author: author@email.org

Abstract

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and mathematical modelling are used to evaluate the hydrological dynamics of the Sazan River Basin in northern Iraq via the analysis of its morphometric attributes. The basin has a drainage density and form ratio that are markedly uneven, indicating a moderate response to precipitation. Additional significant indicators are stream length, gradient, and morphology. These findings support improved land-use planning, flood risk mitigation, and water resource management. This work uses GIS and mathematical modelling to analyse the morphometric characteristics of the Sazan River Basin in northern Iraq to evaluate its hydrological behaviour. Key indications of the basin’s irregular structure and drainage density include the slope, stream length, and shape ratios. The results indicate a limited reaction to precipitation, potentially impacting water resource management, flood risk mitigation, and sustainable land use planning. The research underscores the need of corroborating the morphometric analysis using empirical meteorological and hydrological data. This will enhance the results and make them relevant to practical scenarios such as flood forecasting and ecosystem management.