Channel Morphometry and Depth Profiling of Otueke River: Insights from the Upper and Middle Reaches

Numoipre Inainfe

doi:10.56201/ijgem.vol.12.no7.2026.pg1.12

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Channel Morphometry and Depth Profiling of Otueke River: Insights from the Upper and Middle Reaches

Numoipre Inainfe

Abstract

Understanding channel morphometry is fundamental for effective river management, hydraulic modeling, and flood-risk assessment, yet such information remains scarce for many lowland tropical rivers in the Niger Delta. This study investigated channel morphometry and depth variability in the upper and middle reaches of the Otueke River using field-based cross-sectional surveys, hydraulic measurements, and statistical analyses to characterize downstream channel adjustments and hydraulic behavior. The study surveyed thirty representative sampling stations to measure channel width, depth, flow velocity, discharge, wetted perimeter, hydraulic radius, and cross-sectional area, and employed correlation and regression analyses to evaluate the morphometric relationships. The results revealed pronounced downstream enlargement, with channel width increasing from 3.0 to 168.0 m, depth from 0.198 to 6.20 m, and cross-sectional area by 175,286%, accompanied by a substantial rise in discharge (0.184–126.357 m3 s−1) despite declining flow velocity. All morphometric parameters differed significantly between the upper and middle reaches (p < 0.001), while wetted perimeter exhibited a strong positive relationship with hydraulic radius (R2 = 0.641). These findings confirm progressive downstream hydraulic adjustment and provide the first comprehensive morphometric baseline for the Otueke River. The study offers valuable evidence for improving hydraulic modeling, flood forecasting, river restoration, and watershed management. Water-resource managers, environmental agencies, and policymakers should integrate these morphometric data into sustainable river planning and climate-resilient flood management strategies in the Niger Delta.

Keywords

Channel morphometryHydraulic geometryRiver dischargeDepth profilingOtueke River

References

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Channel Morphometry and Depth Profiling of Otueke River: Insights from the Upper and Middle Reaches

Abstract

Keywords

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