GIS and hydrology
You can use GIS to study drainage systems, assess groundwater, and visualize watersheds, and in many other hydrologic applications. Look at the examples below to see some of the ways people are using GIS in their applications.
You can use GIS to
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Analyze Drainage Systems
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A GIS can be used to study drainage systems holistically.
The Institute of Geology in Zagreb, Croatia, uses a GIS to study the entire Drava
River Drainage Basin. The impact of surface water retention and its effects
can be analyzed.
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Monitor Groundwater Levels
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Maintaining proper groundwater levels in mining areas can be a problem.
The University of Technology at Aachen, Germany, uses GIS to monitor the groundwater
for coal mining areas. The GIS is used to produce isoline and strip maps for
analysis by researchers.
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Monitor Groundwater Recharge
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Determining groundwater recharge can be very difficult, but a GIS
can make the job much easier for hydrologists.
Umlandverband Frankfurt, Germany, uses a GIS to produce a layer for each
groundwater recharge calculation. These layers are then combined to produce a final map
showing the recharge for each area.
Without the GIS, it would be difficult for researchers to simultaneously calculate and
visualize the recharge rates for the regions.
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Manage Watersheds
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Watersheds are complex and delicate systems. Managing them in a way that
permits sufficient recharge, maintains the ecosystem, controls flooding,
and serves the public can be a difficult task.
The Swedish Nuclear Fuel and Waste Management Company and Nespak, Pakistan, use GIS to
help manage the Upper Kaha Hill Torrent Watershed in Pakistan.
The GIS is used to model erosion hazards, water balance and land suitablity, and
control flooding for the region.
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Hammon, Jensen, Wallen & Associates use GIS to assess the Santa Lucia Preserve
Watershed. The GIS is used as part of day-to-day management of the property.
This 3-dimensional display helps the developers appreciate how the geomorphology
of the area and soils play an important role in the entire watershed. |
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Monitor Wells
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The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation uses GIS to show the water quality and distribution
of wells for the San Joaquin Valley Water Districts. Using the GIS, scientists
and lay persons can easily assess the well locations within the entire system.
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Visit ESRI's Environmental vertical
market page and learn how you can use GIS to solve hydrologic and environmental problems, or return to the About GIS main page
for more examples of how GIS is being used
every day to solve a variety of problems.
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