Physiographic Characterization of the Tshopo River and Hydroelectric Dam Using Geomatics and Remote Sensing Tools

Abstract

The Tshopo River watershed offers significant potential in terms of both energy and navigability. For example, hydroelectric developments have been underway since 1955, and the Kisangani River is supplied with water from this dam. A 2m x 2m spectral band was used to approximate reality, and a 30m x 30m pixel was used to visualize drainage densities and the shape (sinuation) of the watercourses. Maps presenting the study area, the length of the main watercourse, and the boundaries and watercourses were also produced using ArcGIS 10.8 and HEC-HMS 6.4.1 software, which were essential for carrying out this study. We were able to extract 839 sub-watersheds with physiographic characteristics (geometric, topographic/hypsometric, and hydrographic features) with a total area of 19,306–19,317.31 km², a perimeter ranging from 1,030.1 to 1,142.04 km, and a main channel length of 561.7361 km. The Tshopo River has a low drainage density (i.e., less than 1). Our Tshopo River watershed is very elongated, as the gravel coefficient varies from 2.1 to 2.3 depending on the pixel size and spatial resolution; the steepest slopes are concentrated in the south-central part of the Tshopo watershed, with values ranging from 7 to 66 degrees, while the gentler slopes are much more concentrated around the dam (outlet) to the west. The vegetation cover (less dense and dense forest occupies more than 90%. And 10 altitudes classes according to their areas have been identified ranging from 455-506 m and 916-967 m with Time of Concentration (Tc) of 3766.8 minutes.