Disposition of Water Bearing Formations: Surface outcrop, subsurface continuity
in vertical and horizontal disposition, overlay of different litho units to form a group
and aquifer system, e.g. alluvium—gravel, sand, silt and clay in different percentage
underlain by compact sandstone,/shale, hard rock, etc.
Water Bearing Capacity Variation with depth: Changes in space and time,
runoff zone, recharge zone, discharge zone and abstraction status.
Aquifer (Formation water) Quality: In-situ (depositional), anthropogenic, vertical
zonation and blending/migration of pollutants in aquifers with time.
Strategies for Sustainable Management: Quantification of water within different
layers (Aquifers-1, 2, 3, etc.), quality in each aquifer (group), demand–supply
analysis, estimation of prevailing development status, precise assessment of functional wells for agriculture, industries, drinking water purposes (modified well
census as village wise by public participation to be translated into aquifer wise and
then administrative unit).
Identification of Clusters of Aquifers (layers): Vertical–horizontal flow of
recharged water from source—rainfall, canal, applied irrigation, etc.
4 Role of Remote Sensing Applications for Water
Resources Data Collection and Visualization
With the advent of satellite-based remote sensing methods, a new and promising
mode of data collection and analysis has been available. With Indian space programme taking off from 70s, greater sophistication is being introduced in data
collection for various natural resources fields. Incidentally, the water resources field
has been an early mover in the area coupled with the crop assessment technologies.
Key to the success of remote sensing-based methods lies in their ability to provide
large regional data at varying degrees of resolution which are valuable in real-time
assessment as well as planning. Many features like crop coverage, water stress
amongst the crops on the ground, assessment of snow pack yield forecasting and
flood disaster mapping and near real-time situation report are the valuable products
provided for water resources management and planning in long term as well as in
the immediate context. In addition, the land utilization and land cover mapping
applications also provide very valuable information for realistic planning of the
water resources projects.
Remote sensing has not remained confined to satellite-based data acquisition
only. With the advent of drones and microlight aircrafts, the data collection at the
local level has been revolutionized. Assessments at the field level for the precise
information at sub-field level on crop conditions, reach of irrigation and status of
conveyance networks have been successfully made. Drones are also efficient in
carrying out topographic surveys and monitoring progress over widely spread
construction sites and are capable of providing real-time information.
Data Usage for Development, Management of Water Resources
147
in vertical and horizontal disposition, overlay of different litho units to form a group
and aquifer system, e.g. alluvium—gravel, sand, silt and clay in different percentage
underlain by compact sandstone,/shale, hard rock, etc.
Water Bearing Capacity Variation with depth: Changes in space and time,
runoff zone, recharge zone, discharge zone and abstraction status.
Aquifer (Formation water) Quality: In-situ (depositional), anthropogenic, vertical
zonation and blending/migration of pollutants in aquifers with time.
Strategies for Sustainable Management: Quantification of water within different
layers (Aquifers-1, 2, 3, etc.), quality in each aquifer (group), demand–supply
analysis, estimation of prevailing development status, precise assessment of functional wells for agriculture, industries, drinking water purposes (modified well
census as village wise by public participation to be translated into aquifer wise and
then administrative unit).
Identification of Clusters of Aquifers (layers): Vertical–horizontal flow of
recharged water from source—rainfall, canal, applied irrigation, etc.
4 Role of Remote Sensing Applications for Water
Resources Data Collection and Visualization
With the advent of satellite-based remote sensing methods, a new and promising
mode of data collection and analysis has been available. With Indian space programme taking off from 70s, greater sophistication is being introduced in data
collection for various natural resources fields. Incidentally, the water resources field
has been an early mover in the area coupled with the crop assessment technologies.
Key to the success of remote sensing-based methods lies in their ability to provide
large regional data at varying degrees of resolution which are valuable in real-time
assessment as well as planning. Many features like crop coverage, water stress
amongst the crops on the ground, assessment of snow pack yield forecasting and
flood disaster mapping and near real-time situation report are the valuable products
provided for water resources management and planning in long term as well as in
the immediate context. In addition, the land utilization and land cover mapping
applications also provide very valuable information for realistic planning of the
water resources projects.
Remote sensing has not remained confined to satellite-based data acquisition
only. With the advent of drones and microlight aircrafts, the data collection at the
local level has been revolutionized. Assessments at the field level for the precise
information at sub-field level on crop conditions, reach of irrigation and status of
conveyance networks have been successfully made. Drones are also efficient in
carrying out topographic surveys and monitoring progress over widely spread
construction sites and are capable of providing real-time information.
Data Usage for Development, Management of Water Resources
147