Geospatial technology based evaluation of recent morphodynamic changes and flow patterns in the upper Jhelum River

Abstract

This study was conducted to address the concerns over the changes in river morphology and their implications for sustainable river management. It investigates the morphological dynamics of the Upper Jhelum River between 2018 and 2023, using high-resolution Sentinel-2 imagery and advanced geospatial techniques to capture subtle yet significant changes in river morphology during the period. Remote sensing techniques integrated with MATLAB-based analytical algorithms were used to delineate and quantify changes in river planform, width, migration, and spatial patterns of erosion and deposition. This provided comprehensive evidence of the river's adaptive responses to both natural and anthropogenic influences. Results indicate substantial variations in the morphodynamic parameters, with river width ranging from 590.15 m (at 125 km) to 34.8 m (at 117.8 km), an annual centerline migration rate of 5.36 m, and distinct erosion-accretion dynamics—20.38 km² of accretion upstream (Segment A) and 26.94 km² of erosion downstream (Segment C). The Flow Duration Curves (FDCs) for 2018 and 2023 focus on the role of discharge variability in driving these morphological changes, with higher flows in 2018 corresponding with increased width and channel migration compared to 2023. Based on these findings, targeted management interventions were proposed for this river system. Thus, this study, conducted by integrating remote sensing technology with automated analytical algorithms, enhances our understanding of fluvial dynamics and is crucial for river restoration and management. This study establishes a critical baseline for future research on the Jhelum River's morphodynamics and human-induced modifications. © 2026 The Author(s). River published by Wiley-VCH GmbH on behalf of China Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower Research (IWHR).