Characterization and runoff modeling of Alanthurai watershed of Coimbatore district in Tamilnadu

Water is the elixir of life. The increase in population and urbanization necessitates growth in the agricultural and industrial sectors, which demands for more freshwater. In Tamil Nadu, nearly 95% of surface water and 85% of groundwater resources have been harnessed. Agricultural sector is the major consumer of water. The study was carried out to estimate the surface runoff potential and the catchment characteristics in Alanthurai watershed. It covers an area of 161.275 sq. km of western part of Coimbatore district along the Noyyal river basin in Tamil Nadu. The relationship between rainfall and runoff was obtained by best-fit curve method.