Abstract: Accurate representation of topographic characteristics of catchment is a prerequisite for delineating stream network, watersheds and management of water resources of in any river system. In this the study satellite imagery based Digital Elevation Model has been used for derivation of the topographic characteristics of Sutlej river’s catchment in Tibetan Highlands. D8 algorithm has been invoked for carrying out hydrological and spatial analysis in the ArcGIS environment. The relief of catchment ranges from 2551 m to 7156 m and it was found that almost 65% of the catchment is situated in the elevation range 4500 m to 5500 m.

Keywords: Digital Elevation Model, Topographic Characteristics, Eight Flow Direction Algorithm, Delineating of Watershed and Stream Network.