WWW-Based GIS Tool for Estimating the Effects of Urbanization on Hydrology and Water Quality

Author: Mark Ehle
Organization: Purdue University

ABE 1146
West Lafayette, IN 47907
USA

Phone: (765)494-1198
Fax: (765)496-1115
ehlem@ecn.purdue.edu

A user-friendly WWW interface to a hydrologic/water quality model was developed. Land use and soil maps are provided on the WWW with Internet Map Server, and precipitation data can be accessed from databases. This interface provides easy access to the model and improves understanding of the results through graphical representation. A WWW GIS interface to the system was also developed allowing the user to digitize their area of interest directly from the map displayed in their WWW browser and perform hydrologic/water quality simulations. Users can evaluate the impacts of land use changes on runoff and NPS pollution and examine the results via their WWW browser. Users ranging from students to land use planners and other environmental professionals can use these WWW-based tools to assess long-term hydrologic impacts of land use change.