Keywords Geographic information systems.GIS · Remote sensing · RS. Sensor
data · Satellite data processing. GID data models. Mapping. Monitoring. GIS
application. · Water resources. USEPA programs. Glossary
Nomenclature
DEM
Digital elevation model
ETM
Enhanced Thematic Mapper
GIS
Geographic information systems
Landsat US satellite
MSS
Multispectral Scanner carried on Landsat satellite
P
Panchromatic sensor on SPOT satellite
SAR
Synthetic aperture radar
SPOT
Satellite Pour l’Observation de la Terre, a French satellite
TIN
Triangulated irregular network
TM
Thematic Mapper
USEPA US Environmental Protection Agency
XS
Multispectal sensor on SPOT satellite
1 Introduction
Conflicting interests and parameters often characterize the decision-making for
water resources projects. Systematic and exhaustive analysis of these issues would
depend on the quality and quantity of information available on both natural and
socioeconomic resources. Remote sensing technology has demonstrated its capabilities to generate information in spatial and temporal domain, which is very crucial for
successful water resources monitoring, model analysis, prediction, and validation.
However, the use of remote sensing technology involves large amount of spatial data
management and requires an efficient system to handle such data. Geographic
information systems (GIS) are excellent tools available to store, retrieve, and analyze
different types of data for management of water resources [1]. Remote sensing and
GIS techniques can be used to analyze large or small areas, integrate numerous
variables into the evaluation process, and easily update database information. These
two technologies thus add a spatial dimension to water resources analysis process
and provide a more effective tool for a quick and transparent decision-making.
Remote sensing and GIS also play an important role in evolving alternate scenarios
for water resources investigation.
The current domain of GIS includes all aspects of spatial data analysis from data
acquisition and manipulation through problem solving to the presentation of results.
GIS needs large quantities of accurate data to be useful. Remote sensing data have a
number of features which make them ideal GIS data source. Satellites generate
inexpensive, reliable, and timely information on various natural resources such as
198
S. O. Darkwah et al.
data · Satellite data processing. GID data models. Mapping. Monitoring. GIS
application. · Water resources. USEPA programs. Glossary
Nomenclature
DEM
Digital elevation model
ETM
Enhanced Thematic Mapper
GIS
Geographic information systems
Landsat US satellite
MSS
Multispectral Scanner carried on Landsat satellite
P
Panchromatic sensor on SPOT satellite
SAR
Synthetic aperture radar
SPOT
Satellite Pour l’Observation de la Terre, a French satellite
TIN
Triangulated irregular network
TM
Thematic Mapper
USEPA US Environmental Protection Agency
XS
Multispectal sensor on SPOT satellite
1 Introduction
Conflicting interests and parameters often characterize the decision-making for
water resources projects. Systematic and exhaustive analysis of these issues would
depend on the quality and quantity of information available on both natural and
socioeconomic resources. Remote sensing technology has demonstrated its capabilities to generate information in spatial and temporal domain, which is very crucial for
successful water resources monitoring, model analysis, prediction, and validation.
However, the use of remote sensing technology involves large amount of spatial data
management and requires an efficient system to handle such data. Geographic
information systems (GIS) are excellent tools available to store, retrieve, and analyze
different types of data for management of water resources [1]. Remote sensing and
GIS techniques can be used to analyze large or small areas, integrate numerous
variables into the evaluation process, and easily update database information. These
two technologies thus add a spatial dimension to water resources analysis process
and provide a more effective tool for a quick and transparent decision-making.
Remote sensing and GIS also play an important role in evolving alternate scenarios
for water resources investigation.
The current domain of GIS includes all aspects of spatial data analysis from data
acquisition and manipulation through problem solving to the presentation of results.
GIS needs large quantities of accurate data to be useful. Remote sensing data have a
number of features which make them ideal GIS data source. Satellites generate
inexpensive, reliable, and timely information on various natural resources such as
198
S. O. Darkwah et al.