Methodology for Hydrological Analysis of DEM
1. Input Data and Preparation:
❖ Open ArcGIS and load the Digital Elevation Model (DEM).
❖ Check the DEM’s projection and set it to the appropriate coordinate system if needed.
2. Preprocessing the DEM:
❖ Fill Sinks in DEM:
▪ Go to ArcToolbox → Spatial Analyst Tools → Hydrology → Fill.
▪ Set the Input Surface Raster as your DEM.
▪ Choose an output location and click OK.
3. Calculate Flow Direction:
❖ Generate Flow Direction Raster:
▪ Open ArcToolbox → Spatial Analyst Tools → Hydrology → Flow Direction.
▪ Select the Filled DEM as the input.
▪ Save the output and click OK.
4. Calculate Flow Accumulation:
❖ Generate Flow Accumulation Raster:
▪ Go to ArcToolbox → Spatial Analyst Tools → Hydrology → Flow Accumulation.
▪ Set the Flow Direction Raster as the input.
▪ Save the output and click OK.
❖ Flow Accumulation Raster Classify:
▪ Open Layer Properties → Classified → Classes → 2 → Classify → Break Values →
First value 5000 & Second value not change → OK.
▪ Apply and click OK.
5. Extract Stream Network:
❖ Using Raster Calculator to Define Streams:
▪ Open ArcToolbox → Spatial Analyst Tools → Map Algebra → Raster Calculator.
▪ Use the formula: Flow Accumulation > 2000 (adjust threshold based on study area).
▪ Save the output and click OK.
6. Stream Ordering Using Strahler Method:
❖ Generate Stream Order Raster:
▪ Go to ArcToolbox → Spatial Analyst Tools → Hydrology → Stream Order.
▪ Select the Extracted Stream Raster as input.
▪ Choose the Flow Direction Raster.
▪ Set method to Strahler and click OK.
7. Watershed Delineation Options:
Option 1: Using Basin Tool
❖ Generate Basin Raster:
▪ Open ArcToolbox → Spatial Analyst Tools → Hydrology → Basin.
▪ Use the Flow Direction Raster as input.
▪ Save the output and click OK.
Option 2: Using a Pour Point Vector File
❖ Create Pour Point and Delineate Watershed:
▪ Manually create a Pour Point vector file using Editor Toolbar.
▪ Go to ArcToolbox → Spatial Analyst Tools → Hydrology → Watershed.
▪ Select the Flow Direction Raster as input.
▪ Use the Pour Point as the input feature.
▪ Save the output and click OK to generate the watershed.
8. Convert Raster to Vector:
❖ Convert Basin or Watershed Raster to Vector:
▪ Go to ArcToolbox → Conversion Tools → From Raster → Raster to Polygon.
▪ Select the Basin or Watershed Raster as input.
▪ Save the output as a polygon and click OK.
❖ Convert Stream Order Raster to Vector:
▪ Open ArcToolbox → Conversion Tools → From Raster → Raster to Polyline.
▪ Select the Stream Order Raster as input.
▪ Save the output as a polyline and click OK.
9. Extract a Specific Basin and Stream Network:
❖ Clip the Selected Basin:
▪ Open the Basin Polygon layer in the Table of Contents.
▪ Use the Select Features Tool to click on the desired basin.
▪ Go to ArcToolbox → Analysis Tools → Extract → Clip.
▪ Select the Input Features as the basin polygon and set the selected feature as the clip
feature.
▪ Click OK to extract the basin.
❖ Clip the Stream Order for the Selected Basin:
▪ Repeat the Clip process using the Stream Order Polyline layer.
▪ Use the Selected Basin Polygon as the clipping boundary.
▪ Click OK.
10. Symbolization of Stream Orders:
❖ Change Symbology for Streams:
▪ Right-click on the Stream Order Polyline Layer in the Table of Contents.
▪ Select Properties → Symbology.
▪ Choose Unique Values and set different colors/line weights for each stream order.
▪ Click Apply and OK.
11. Fill Layer is Shown as an Elevation:
❖ Select Color Ramp
▪ Color Ramp → OK.
12. Layout Preparation and Exporting the Map:
❖ Prepare the Final Layout:
▪ Go to View → Layout View.
▪ Add essential elements: Title, North Arrow, Scale Bar, and Legend.
❖ Export the Map:
▪ Click File → Export Map.
▪ Choose a format (JPEG, PNG, or PDF) and save the output.
