Study of geomorphic changes of Maroon river bed in Behbahan district using satellite images

In this research, a 55 km length of Maroon River that falls in Behbahan district was studied by time interval method for morphological changes. In a 16 years interval, landsat 7 ETM and landsat 8 OLI satellite images were used for years 1999 and 2015 respectively. Maroon River bed was digitized in ARCGIS 9.3, and then some geometric parameters were extracted using AutoCAD by intersecting circles to river curves. These parameters were analyzed statistically for years 1999 and 2015. Geometric method applied for 4 sections in order of change detection in the study area. Results show some changes in river length and also increase in meanders in some section. These sections that have more changeability were analyzed based on land use, soil and lithology maps. Those sections that have more erodible formation and flood plains that covered by inceptisols soil class are more changeable. So, changeability of river bed may be linked to soil type. Stream power may be a cause of river bank erosion. Third section laid in conglomerates and alluviums, so this may be the reason of its changes.