Application of Remote Sensing and GIS in Sinuosity and River Migration Analysis of the Lower Parts of River Niger in the Niger Delta

Abstract

This research is financed by the African Union in collaboration with Pan African University Life and Earth Sciences (including health and Agriculture), Ibadan, Nigeria and University of Ibadan, Ibadan Nigeria.

Abstract

Sinuosity and river migration analysis of the lower parts of the River Niger in Niger Delta from Onitsha to the coast has been done using various Landsat images during 1985 to 2015. The transect method was used for the river shifting measurement. The study area consists of a stretch characterized by uneven meandering and migration. Consequently, the adjacent areas are susceptible to flooding that causes significant losses of crops, property, livestock, and human lives. During the study period, the channel pattern moved from a sinuous-straight to straight-sinuous pattern with sinuosity reducing in the upper portions of the channel.  It was found that in the upper portions of River Niger, the west bank of the channel was subjected to more erosion and that the river is migrating towards the west. In the lower portions of the River Niger, the east bank is subjected to more erosion and thus the channel is migrating towards the east. The width of the meander belt ranged from less than 1km to 4.9 km with an average of about 2km. Based on the findings of this study, it is suggested that the flood protection structures are crucial for the west bank in the upper reaches and the east bank in the lower portions of the channel in the study area. It is further suggested that these structures be constructed outside the meander belt of the river.

Keywords: Sinuosity. Channel migration. Meander belt. Channel pattern. GIS. Landsat images.

DOI: 10.7176/JEES/9-4-08

Publication date: April 30^th 2019