Track: Agriculture
Development of a Geographic Information System Database for Modeling Irrigation Distribution Systems in Egypt
Fayek Amin FaragThe main objectives of this study are first to show how to use satellite images to develop accurate basemaps of the system of canals and drains in a pilot area and second to show the use of GIS tools to construct the locational database according to the developed layout maps. Another objective of the study is to provide a link between the GIS database and the hydrologic models that are used in planning water policies in Egypt. The main required input data for the hydrologic models are a digital format for the layout of the canals and the drain systems of the study area and a huge amount of data related to the models. This huge amount of data should be carefully organized in a database system in order to be able to analyze them efficiently. In order to obtain accurate and up-to-date basemaps of the pilot area, it is proposed to use the method of SPOT satellite images georectified with control points obtained with a ground-based global positioning system. These images could be used for obtaining the canals and the drain systems layout information as well as the common areas for the main canals and drains and other required spatial features. This unique method, which is developed to obtain basemaps from SPOT High Resolution Visible satellite images using map coordinates obtained with GPS, is described in this study. As a global conclusion and result of the study, the GIS is the most simple and straightforward way of providing a management tool for planning for water allocation policy in Egypt. It also helps decision makers make the right decision to solve the on-time problems dealing with water policies without any delays. Also, the study proved that it is possible to calculate the actual cropping pattern areas, and by identifying the water duty for each crop that exists in the database, it is possible to compute the actual requirements, which is vital to maximize the use of available water.
Fayek Amin Farag
Ministry of Public Works and Water Resources
Planning Sector, GIS Center, 6th Floor
Cornish El-Nile, IMBABA
GIZA - EGYPT
Telephone: 3612344
Fax: 011 202-360-4899