Investigation on Hydrogeomorphologic Characteristics of Tehran Metroplis Watersheds with Emphasis on the Flood Prone Zones

Hydrogeomorphology is one of the branches of physical geography that studies the forms of roughnesses caused by the action of water in the environment. Investigationand understanding the causes and characteristics of hydrogeomorphology and how to manage watershed areas within order to reduce the damage caused by flood events has more importance. This study aimed to investigate of hydrogeomorphologic characteristics of Tehran metropolis watersheds with emphasis on the flood prone zones through the assessment and review of watershed physiographic characteristics which dominate the metropolis of Tehran. Preparation and geomorphological mapping and map of the hydrological response units, flow charts drawn up for Hafthowz stations (Darake), Sooleghan (Kan), Poletajrish (Darband) and Qlak (Darabad) were done next. Extended aim of this study was to investigate the characteristics of the watershed of Tehran metropolis with an emphasis on flood through the assessment of watershed physiographic characteristics that dominate the area. Research approach was analytical- descriptive, using library studies, 1: 50,000 topographic maps and 1: 100000geological maps, 30 meter DEM of area, air photos of the year 1955 and satellite images of Google Earth and the utilization of ArcGIS, FreeHand, WMS and Excel were done. The results show that, due to the impact of watershed physiographic features including, watershed shape, area and low of drainages length, height and steep north-south difference that dominate the metropolis of Tehran, a small distance exists between the apex of watersheds and the receiving watersheds output and short duration of time of concentration and human interventions, and the urban runoff from rainfall in the study area. HRUS map of studied catchments represents the great diversity of hydrological response units most of the watersheds, especially the Kan watershed. The maximum instantaneous flow rate data charts, showed that Hafthowz and Qlak stations have a high variability due to the flood history in Tehran metropolis, due to their situation and hydrogeomorphologic properties of its upstream watershed which is heavily affected by flood events and that will be ordinary in Tehran region.