Assessing the Influence of Dykes on the Drainage Network of the Shivan River in North Maharashtra

The prominent linear dyke ridges outcropped in the Narmada-Tapi dykes’ swarm represent an intrusion in the Deccan Traps. Understanding the relationship among the underlying geological structures, the strike of the dykes, and the channel patterns is essential. Dykes act as obstructions to stream flow, causing diversions, and their geometry and patterns significantly impact the rivers and streams that drain and cross the dyke swarm zone. For this study, Google Earth images, LISS III images, and Cartosat DEM were used to delineate the Shivan basin and extract dyke features. The Shivan River basin is a sixth-order drainage system that reflects superimposed drainage systems within the Tapi dyke swarm zone. About 65% (169 km²) of its area is controlled by dyke orientation. The dyke ridges align predominantly in an East-West (E-W) direction, a pattern mainly followed by lower-order streams, which have developed an insequent, transverse drainage network within the dyke swarm zone. In the lower parts of the Shivan basin, where the number of dykes decreases, the drainage network follows the general slope and is oriented in a North-South direction. The Shivan River and its tributaries have partially adjusted to the dyke orientation, resulting in a transverse drainage pattern in areas characterized by parallel dyke ridges.