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Analysing the influence of Farakka Barrage Project on channel dynamics and meander geometry of Bhagirathi river of West Bengal, India

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Abstract

Farakka Barrage Project (FBP) constructed in 1975 on the river Ganga in West Bengal, India has largely altered hydro-geomorphic processes inducing a different kind of impetus in channel dynamics especially channel oscillation of the Bhagirathi river. Controlled hydro-geomorphological regime drastically altering natural regime has significantly influenced channel process with resultant change in channel geometry. Geospatial analysis using topographical maps of 1927, 1954 and 1974 along with satellite images of 1990, 2004, and 2014 clearly portrays rapidity in channel evolution in the post-Farakka period which is explicitly proved from four meander cut-offs after 1975. The meander geometry analysis of 66 loops of lower Bhagirathi river during 1927–2014 in terms of four basic parameters (radius of curvature, wavelength, amplitude, and channel length) and four indices (sinuosity index, radius–wavelength ratio, meander shape index and meander form index) depicts telltale pattern of channel straightening with increased number of wide and open loops after the construction of barrage. The average sinuosity of the loops has increased from 2.27 in 1927 to 2.35 in 1974 and dwindles to 1.80 in 2014. This distinct outcome induced by FBP is also found for other indices explained with special reference new hydraulic regime in post-Farakka period.

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Acknowledgements

We deeply acknowledge the all-round kind cooperation from Dr Balai Chandra Das, Assistant Professor (WBES), Department of Geography, Krishnagar Government College to prepare this manuscript. We put our sincere gratitude to the unanimous reviewers whose expert comments have upgraded the quality of the article substantially. Finally we thank the entire team of Arabian Journal of Geosciences, Springer for their kind efforts towards the eventual publication.

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  1. Department of Geography, Aliah University, Kolkata, West Bengal, India

    Aznarul Islam

  2. Department of Geography, The University of Burdwan, Barddhaman, West Bengal, India

    Sanat Kumar Guchhait

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Islam, A., Guchhait, S.K. Analysing the influence of Farakka Barrage Project on channel dynamics and meander geometry of Bhagirathi river of West Bengal, India. Arab J Geosci 10, 245 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-017-3004-2

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