MORPHOMETRIC CHARACTERISTICS OF RIVER CHANCHAGA USING HYDROLOGICAL (RAINFALL) VARIABLE, MINNA, NIGER STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The River Chanchaga is understood to be characterized by hydrologic and geomorphologic problems such as erosion and flooding. Though studies on morphometric characteristics of rivers exist in Nigeria generally, not much exist about this study area. Therefore evaluating the morphometric characteristic of river Chanchaga was necessary. To achieve this, secondary primary data of collection such as rainfall data, questionnaire administration and reconnaissance survey were undertaken. The finding revealed entire length of the river chanchaga is a contant variable, 15km of the river downstream from the bridge was evaluated. It was ascertain that the relationship between the width and depth of the river varies from one point to another. In determining the relationship between morphometric characteristic and hydrological (rainfall,) it was ascertain that an increase in rainfall amount also leads to a proportional increase in the depth and width of River Chanchaga. Therefore this evaluation is an essential tool in the river analysis in terms of planning to develop a better water usage mechanism adequate water supply and water conservation for sustainability.