Create Stream Line Network Using Digital Elevation Model in ArcMap

When we need to find out the Stream line using DEM, first of all we have to find out the flow direction. For this we can use Flow Direction Tool in the ArcGIS. This tool determine the direction of flow from every cell in the raster.

Following is the mechanism use in Flow Direction

maximum_drop = change_in_z-value / distance * 100

Step 1,

ArcToolbox - Spatial Analyst Tools - Hydrology - Flow Direction

Step 2,

Add your Raster file as  input

Step 3,

Once we have the Flow Direction, then we have to identify the Flow Accumulation. Flow Accumulation is a measurement of the amount of water accumulated in overland flow over a surface. For this we can use Flow Accumulation Tool in ArcMap.

ArcToolbox - Spatial Analyst Tools - Hydrology - Flow Accumulation

Step 4,

Select Flow Direction output as Input, Select "Integer" as Output Data type

Step 5, 

As a result we will get number of stream lines, therefore we have to filter the number of stream lines. For this we can use "Con" tool in the ArcGIS. The "Con"tool allows you to control the output value for each cell based on whether the cell value is evaluated as true or false in a specified conditional statement.

ArcToolbox - Spatial Analyst Tools - Conditional - Con

Select Flow Accumulation output as Input and then enter your Expression,

(I have used Value >= 1000 here)

Step 6,

Now we have to create the Stream Link, for this we can use "Stream Link"

Tool in the ArcGIS

ArcToolbox - Spatial Analyst Tools - Hydrology - Stream Link

Select Con output as the Input and Flow Direction also,

Step 7,

Now we have to create feature data set for this Stream line for our GIS

Operations. for that we can use Stream to Feature tool in ArcGIS.

ArcToolbox - Spatial Analyst Tools - Hydrology - Stream to Feature

Now you have a feature data set of your Stream Network. You can remove the

small stream lines by using Select by Attribute option in the Attribute table. 

Lay your Stream Network top of your DEM, you can sea how the stream line

flow according to elevation of the surface.