International Journal of Engineering Research ISSN:2319-6890(online),2347-5013(print)

Volume No.5, Issue Special 1 pp : 210-214 8 & 9 Jan 2016

Geographical Information System (GIS) in Water Resources Engineering

S. Nandi1, Tanushree Hansda2, Hemant Himangshu3, Tumpa Paul Nandi 4
1,2,4
Nandi & Associates (P) Ltd, 76/1,Shreerampur(N), Garia, Kolkata 700 084, India
3
Department of Construction Engineering, Jadavpur University, Kolkata 700 098, India
Email : [email protected]

Abstract : The world is getting populated day by day & the techniques in monitoring & mapping of surface & sub-surface
population explosion is creating pressure on all the natural waterlogged areas. El Nahry et al. (2011) found that for central
resources & the necessity of spending the same in a judicious pivot irrigation under precision farming, remote sensing & GIS
fashion is the cry of the day. The primal item of man use is techniques have played a vital role in the variable rate of water
water which is scarce as ever & the judicious spending of the applications that were defined due to management zone
same is necessary using a GIS monitored system, coupled with requirements.
minimal use of fertiliser to maximise the crop growth at the Fertilizers were added at variable rates. Crop water requirements
minimal use of irrigation. GIS applications are tools that allow were determined, according to the actual plant requirements using
users to create interactive queries (user-created searches), SEBAL model with the aid of FAO CROPWAT model. On that
analyze spatial information, edit data in maps & present the basis water was supplied at variable rates. Hatzios & Kriton
results of all these operations. In more generic sense GIS is a (2000) used the soils information, recompiled from an
tool that allows users to create interactive queries analyze the uncorrected aerial photographic base to a USGS topographic base
spatial information & edit data. The later part of the paper map. Soil data were added to numerous other data layers &
discusses the scope of GIS, its uncertanities, raster to vector images. Utset & Borroto (2001) used the GIS to create raster
translation, data representation, GIS in irrigation layers with electrical conductivity of soil & topographical
management, GIS for predicting the future irrigation demand altitudes to determine the border of saline effect zones. Szalai et
growth, GIS based irrigation water demand estimation, etc. al. (2004) analysed several applications of the GIS in
The paper further discusses GISAREG program in irrigation climatology, meteorology & regional evapotranspiration, as well
simulation with a special reference to GIS user-interface as, to determine irrigation requirements. Xiaopveng et al. (2011)
techniques in precision farming of rice leading to the GIS developed an irrigation scheduling method by integrating the
model in estimating the regionally distributed drought water ‘check-book irrigation method’ into a GIS-coupled soil, water &
demand. In a nutshell the paper discusses all the facets of nitrogen management model. The soil, water & crop information
application of GIS in mankind including GIS model in required by the check-book method previously collected from
estimating the regionally distributed drought water demand. field observations was estimated by the soil, water & nitrogen
Keywords—GISAREG, GIS in irrigation management, GIS management model. A geographical information system (GIS) is
in drought water estimation, DSS, ArcView GIS’s a system designed to capture, store, manipulate, analyze, manage
application in Italy. & present all types of geographical data. GIS applications are
tools that allow users to create interactive queries (user-created
I. Intr od uc ti on : With the world’s population touching the searches), analyze spatial information, edit data in maps &
six billion mark & with expectations to increase by another present the results of all these operations. In more generic sense
three billion over the next five decades, the world’s food GIS is a tool that allows users to create interactive queries
scenario is thinning fast. Irrigation produces 30 to 40% of the analyze the spatial information & edit data. It allows users to
world’s food crops on 17% of the total arable land (Seckler et bring all types of information based on the geographic &
al., 1998). To meet future demands for food with an increasingly locational component of the data. GIS lets one model scenarios to
scarcity of water supply, it is a must to manage our water test various hypotheses & observes the outcomes visually to
resources better. When water supplies are abundant & find/identify the outcome, that meets the needs of the
environmental pollution & degradation is no issue, water stakeholders. Now days GIS & related technologies are
managers can afford to be lax in its management with population increasingly being recognized as useful tools for studying natural
growth & the effects of cyclic droughts on irrigated agriculture resources, inventory studies & management because of their
have put pressure on the available water resources. Such capability to bring together geographically referenced data from a
prevailing conditions have the effect of creating an imbalance variety of subject matters to aid in processing interpretation &
between the increasing water demand & limited available water analysis of such data.
supply. Under this perspective, effective planning & management
can only be obtained on the basis of reliable information on Benefits of GIS over other Information Systems :
spatial & temporal patterns of farmers’ water demand on framing GIS is fundamentally used to answer questions & make
irrigation practices & on physical & operational features of large- decisions. GIS has many benefits, which include :
scale irrigation systems, is the cry of the day. Chowdary et al.  Analysis of spatial data in a complex environment
(2008) showed that satellite remote sensing coupled with GIS,  Ability to integrate different databases into one
offers an excellent alternative to conventional mapping environment

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 International Journal of Engineering Research ISSN:2319-6890(online),2347-5013(print)
Volume No.5, Issue Special 1 pp : 210-214 8 & 9 Jan 2016

 Ability to display & manage spatial data in a spatial context GIS data represents real objects (such as roads, land use,
 Rapid production of specialized maps & graphic products elevation, trees, waterways, etc.) with digital data, determining
 Performs complex spatial analysis the mix. Real objects can be divided into two abstractions :
 Cost savings resulting from greater efficiency. discrete objects (e.g. a house) & continuous fields (such as
 Improved communication rainfall amount or elevations). Traditionally, there are two
 Better geographic information & record-keeping. broad methods used to store data in a GIS for both kinds of
 Managing information & results geographically. abstractions mapping references : raster images & vector.
Points, lines & polygons are the stuff of mapped location
attribute references. A new hybrid method of storing data is that
II. Material & Methodology : GIS techniques & technology
of identifying point clouds, which combine three-dimensional
Modern GIS technologies use digital information, for which
points with RGB information at each point, returning a "3D
various digitized data creation methods are used. The most
common method of data creation is digitization, where a hard color image". GIS thematic maps then are becoming more &
copy of the map or survey plan is transferred into a digital more realistically, visually descriptive of what they set out to
medium through the use of a CAD program & geo-referencing show or determine.
capabilities. With the wide availability of ortho-rectified
imagery (from satellites, aircraft, Helikites & UAVs), heads-up Data capture:
The current trend for geographical information system (GIS) is
digitizing is becoming the main avenue through which
that accurate mapping & data analysis are completed while in
geographic data is extracted. Heads-up digitizing involves the
the field. Depicted hardware (field-map technology) is used
tracing of geographic data directly on top of the aerial imagery,
mainly for forest inventories, monitoring & mapping.
instead of by the traditional method of tracing the geographic
form on a separate digitizing tablet (i.e. heads-down digitizing). Data capture — entering information into the system —
consumes much of the time of GIS practitioners. There are a
variety of methods used to enter data into a GIS where it is
Relating information from different sources :
stored in a digital format.
GIS uses spatio-temporal (space-time) location as the key index
variable for all other information. Just as a relational database
containing text or numbers can relate many different tables Raster-to-vector translation :
Data restructuring can be performed by a GIS to convert data
using common key index variables, GIS can relate otherwise
into different formats. For example, a GIS may be used to
unrelated information by using location as the key index
convert a satellite image map to a vector structure by generating
variable. The key is the location &/or extent in space-time.
lines around all cells with the same classification, while
determining the cell spatial relationships, such as adjacency or
GIS uncertainties:
inclusion. More advanced data processing can occur with image
GIS accuracy depends upon source data & how it is encoded to
be data referenced. Land surveyors have been able to provide a processing, a technique developed in the late 1960s by NASA
high level of positional accuracy utilizing the GPS-derived & the private sector to provide contrast enhancement, false
positions. High-resolution digital terrain & aerial imagery color rendering & a variety of other techniques including use of
two dimensional Fourier transforms. Since digital data is
powerful computers & web technology are changing the
collected & stored in various ways, the two data sources may
quality, utility & expectations of GIS to serve society on a
grand scale, but never the less there are other source data that not be entirely compatible. So a GIS must be able to convert
geographic data from one structure to another. In so doing, the
have an impact on overall GIS accuracy, like paper maps,
though these may be of limited use in achieving the desired implicit assumptions behind different ontologies &
accuracy since the aging of maps affects their dimensional classifications require analysis. Object ontologies have gained
stability. increasing prominence as a consequence of object-oriented
programming & sustained work by Barry Smith & co-workers.
In developing a digital topographic database for a GIS,
topographical maps are the main source & aerial photography & Projections coordinate systems & registration :
satellite imagery are extra sources for collecting data & The earth can be represented by various models, each of which
identifying attributes which can be mapped in layers over a may provide a different set of coordinates (e.g. latitude,
location facsimile of scale. The scale of a map & geographical longitude, elevation, etc.) for any given point on the Earth's
rendering area representation type are very important aspects surface. The simplest model is to assume the earth to be a
since the information content depends mainly on the scale set perfect sphere. As more measurements of the earth have
resulting locability of the map's representations. In order to accumulated, the models of the earth have become more
digitize a map, the map has to be checked within theoretical sophisticated & more accurate.
dimensions, then scanned into a raster format & resulting raster
data has to be given a theoretical dimension by a rubber GIS in Irrigation Management :
sheeting / warping technology process.
GIS is a familiar & popular tool for management & decision
making in water resources for agricultural & conservation
Data representation :
purposes. A spatial approach such GIS is particularly

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 International Journal of Engineering Research ISSN:2319-6890(online),2347-5013(print)
Volume No.5, Issue Special 1 pp : 210-214 8 & 9 Jan 2016

appropriate for the handling the spatial data in irrigation model normally works at crop field scale renders it heavy &
management. GIS technology such as ARC/INFO software was slow, when it comes to regional scale where a significant
efficiently & effectively used in many water resources planning number of combinations of field & crop characteristics are
& management worldwide. It can help to establish agricultural required. This drawback has been overcome by the integration
water rights, support the application for drilling permits for of GIS. This approach is even more attractive when remote
irrigation purposes & track water rights information. It can also sensed crop data becomes available & characteristics are
be used to evaluate the loss of water from soil drainage & detected for individual cropped field.
unlined canals, as well as help to determine the suitability, cost-
effectiveness & prioritization of canal projects in planning The GIS integrated model enables easily handled simulation of
stages. water management & allows visualization of the spatial
distribution of water demand in the designated region. The
The application of GIS has become popular in water resources latter, in particular, facilitates the localization of any
management due to its dynamic process to incorporate data & discrepancies in water management, providing an indication of
display results. whether interventions are required. Moreover, easy analysis of
GIS techniques are more time & cost efficient than the crop water & irrigation requirement can be achieved &
conventional field techniques & can be used to formulate a therefore, data obtained could be compared with target values.
management plan much more efficiently & link land cover data Further improvement on the model would be the inclusion of
to topographic data & to other information concerning groundwater table depth & soil raster GIS layers, allowing
processes & properties related to geographic location. groundwater contribution & impacts of salinity on
evapotranspiration & crop yields are to be taken into account.
GIS based irrigation water demand estimation :
GIS for predicting the future irrigation demand growth :
Enormous amount of effort has been made on the estimation of
crop evapotranspiration (ET), mostly focused on finding water In countries where water demand is increasing & resource
requirements for different crops under various local conditions, depleting, it is crucial to estimate the water demand growth rate
i.e. soil, climate, etc. Far less work has been done on a region- so that strategic planning can be implemented. The introduction
wide scale. Similar to the farm level scenario, variations in of GIS technique generates maps which illustrate the predicted
elements such as soil play an important role. The spatial change in the spatial distribution of irrigation demand within a
analysis & management capabilities of GIS have rendered, it a certain time frame.
powerful tool for expanding the previous work from farm scale All predictions are referred to a design dry year which is
to a regional level. defined as a year with a probability of exceeding the irrigation
The basic data for irrigation water demand estimation are need by 20%. The methodology adopted is a three-stage
collected with a spatial resolution. These data (soil, climate, process. First of all, the existing dry year baseline & underlying
crops, etc.) subsequently form a spatial database. Regional growth rate are reviewed. This is followed by estimating the
irrigation water demand estimations are normally based on impact of future agro-economic & technical conditions on
cropping patterns or land use. An example would be the growth rates. The last step involves combining the above two
estimation in a command area with several river basins where a results to produce predictions. This method takes into account,
vector based data model is applied. Compared to other relevant local variability in soil, climate & cropping, producing an
studies, this model not only maps irrigation demand, but also irrigation demand map. Results derived from this approach can
captures spatial variations & reflects, any changes in irrigation be useful in water resource planning by individuals or
water demand once cropping pattern is altered. regulatory authorities.
A ‘Decision Support System’ (DSS) is also used to aid decision
making. Once all relevant data are captured, DSS would act as GIS for groundwater assessment in large irrigation projects
an effective tool in terms of improving demand planning by
creating different scenarios & visualizing the impacts under In large irrigation project areas, groundwater played an
these scenarios. Another attractive feature is the fact that GIS important role as the water source before canal irrigation was
can easily categorize the results of irrigation water demands. introduced. Integrated management of groundwater & surface
For example, data classified by different canal systems can lead water resources has been achieved in recent years, aiming to
to a much more effective & accurate estimation. An overview improve the productivity as well as preventing groundwater
of the process is illustrated in Figure 1 depletion & soil salinity. Therefore, groundwater resource
assessment is essential for the development of the integrated
GISAREG in irrigation simulation : management. Sondhi et al. reported in 1989 that based on the
mechanism of the groundwater flow, groundwater basin
GISAREG irrigation simulation model has been in use in many simulation models were applied to integrated management.
parts of the world, aiming at selecting the most proper irrigation
model for crops. Several applications have provided evidence Chowdary et al. reported an example in India where the project
for the suitability of this model in irrigation management, e.g. area is divided into a set of ‘basic simulation units’ (BSU) that
Mediterranean [8], North China [9]. However, the fact that this are homogenous with respect to the conditions that influence

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 International Journal of Engineering Research ISSN:2319-6890(online),2347-5013(print)
Volume No.5, Issue Special 1 pp : 210-214 8 & 9 Jan 2016

the recharge processes. The spatial distribution of recharge Cropping pattern can also be adjusted to optimal so that water
could be mapped via the transfer of the model output to GIS by table can be maintained at a suitable level.
running the models for the BSUs. The input data obtained from
the recharge map could then be used to predict the groundwater GIS user-interface techniques in precision farming of rice :
levels. This approach allows independent development of GIS
& the existing model. It can be used as a decision support tool Precision farming is defined as using the optimum amount of
to identify a strategy which is most suited to local conditions. resources to achieve maximum yield. In the irrigation of
rice
applying the most appropriate amount of water is very difficult the system was to provide support for irrigation authorities on
due to the fact that a large number of spatially distributed data evaluating irrigation scenario & identifying the areas with water
need to be taken into account. Therefore, collecting data from deficit. ArcView GIS was customized with Avenue
all interacting factors is essential. programming language to design & develop, the irrigation
Although many tools have been in use to improve water water
management, it is estimated that the overall irrigation efficiency
is less than 50%. In order to increase rice production, it is
crucial to effectively apply the most appropriate amount of Methodology development: The use of GIS to design & plan
water & conduct suitable water allocation management. irrigation system requires a procedure for adequate analysis as
is shown in the flow-chart (Figure 1).
Given the advanced characteristics of GIS techniques, GIS user- The methodology developed & applied to this study consists of
interface techniques linked with water management model has the following steps: distribution system. As ArcGIS database is
been introduced to improve rice production. This technique used as an input in this system & integrated for the irrigation
provides information systems to aid decision making in the computation; outputs can be shown in the form of maps. The
daily operation & management of precision farming & a system has wide area of application, farm scale to region scale.
scheduling & a monitoring program has to be developed. The
former controls the right amount of water deliveries according
to crop water requirements, whereas the latter gives an
indication of whether water is distributed evenly& detects any
excess or shortage. Data obtained are summarized & presented
by maps, tables & graphs which give comprehensive
representation of the situation & facilitate decision making.

GIS model in estimating the regionally distributed drought

water demand :

With the development of GIS, Water Resources & Agricultural

Permitting & Planning System (GWRAPPS) by integrating
Agricultural Field Scale Irrigation Requirements Simulation
(AFSIRS) & a database management system within an ArcGIS
framework has been achieved. GWRAPPS successfully extends
the AFSIRS application, from a farm scale to a regional scale &
uses spatially distributed data to estimate irrigation
requirements. One of the most attractive features is to provide a Figure 1
comprehensive overview of water demand which is not readily Methodology implemented in this work :
accessible before. Thus the regional crop water requirements 1. Data collection :
under different drought scenarios can be estimated. Many In this step the soil data as texture, water holding capacity,
examples have proved that GWRAPPS is capable of infiltration rate, bulk density, etc. must be collected. In addition,
considering spatial variability of climate & soils at farm & topography, actual plots, constructions, irrigation network,
regional scales under both normal & drought conditions. drainage network geo-referenced basic information requiring
the coordinates of each sampling point for the different
GIS-integrated irrigation water management in Apulia, information, developing the thematic layers for each parameter
Italy must be obtained.

Another GIS based tool was developed & used in Apulia, Italy 2. Analysis :
for handling spatial & non-spatial irrigation data for evaluation On the basis of the data, the spatial distribution for each
of the irrigation scenarios under different soil, climatic & parameter, considering the most restrictive areas & their weight
management conditions (Todorovic & Steduto, 2003).The aim in the total study area must be evaluated, for the design &
of management of the irrigation systems & the pipe distribution

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 International Journal of Engineering Research ISSN:2319-6890(online),2347-5013(print)
Volume No.5, Issue Special 1 pp : 210-214 8 & 9 Jan 2016

network. A thematic layer with the established irrigation system

is incorporated. Help managers in
User friendly
The design system is done taking into account the procedure graphical user

A GIS based interactive tool

Irrigation planning &
interface, decision

for irrigation management

given by Holzapfel et al. (1984) for surface irrigation & for Pervez &
management at
support in design
project level, facilitate
pressurized irrigation on the basis of Holzapfel et al. (1990) & 5 Hoque;
the operation &
stage, real time
2008 analysis of
Abarca(2002). For the optimal design of surface irrigation the management
irrigation
processes of
length, time of cutoff & discharge must be considered components.

Bangladesh
command area.
(Holzapfel et al., 1985; Walker & Skogerboe, 1987, Holzapfel

Yes
et al., 2010). The optimal design of pressurized irrigation
system takes into account, the selection of emitters (Holzapfel
et al, 2007), optimal design of subunits & optimal pipe diameter IV Conclusion:
(Pizarro, 1996; Stuardo, 2006). Still a lot of work needs to be done in this field in shaping the
It is important to mention that all the thematic layers are future requirements of the society. GIS can be utilised as a tool
dynamic & can improve as a greater quantity of new for astrological foresight to weather, rainfall, storm & other
information is incorporated. This dynamic nature permits natural calamities & hence can be utilised as a means to forecast
adaptation of irrigation system management to real-time the occurance of rainfall & other weather changes. Hence on that
conditions & even system design modification is permitted. The basis the necessity of irrigation for crops can be
use of this tool is also of great use in farm management & planned/manipulated towards a minimum. Proper utilisation of
planning since it can also help in other activities necessary for water resources conserves the resources of Mother Nature &
the production process, such as crop rotation, changes in farm works towards a sustainable growth.
structures or their location, implementation of new crops with
new irrigation systems. References:
III. Results & Tables:
Table 1: Details of tools/systems with their features & locations i. Geographic Information System, Wikipedia
ii. Arup K. Sarma, GIS & Remote Sensing Application in Water Resources.
iii. Nagraj S. Patil & A. K. Gosain, Geographical Information System (GIS) for
Water Resources Management.
Key Features

iv. Saroj Acharya, Ashish Pandey & U.C. Chaube, Use Of Geographic
GIS integration

Information Systems In Irrigation Management : A Review.

Goals (Aims)
Organization
Researcher/

v. John P Wilson, Helena Mitasova, & Dawn Wright, Water Resource

Location
Sl. No.

Applications of GIS.
Name

vi. D. Nagesh Kumar, Remote Sensing & GIS Applications for Water Resources
Simulate irrigation Decision support Assessment.
schedule for soil selection of suitable vii. Eduardo Antonio Holzapfel Hoces, José Luis Arumí, Antonieta Rodríguez &
Teixeira
Different parts

climate crop irrigation schedule, Vital Pedro da Silva Paz, Geographic information system supported farm
1 & Pereira,
of the World

combination, applies to field scale irrigation system design & planning.

1992
ISAREG

evaluation of selected & suitable for large viii. Mladen Todorovic & Pasquale Steduto, A GIS for irrigation management.
No

irrigation schedule area

ix. Abdelmonem M.A. & Kamal H.A., Surface Irrigation Management in
Simulate irrigation Relation to Water Infiltration & Distribution in Soils.
schedule in different x. Eduardo Antonio Holzapfel Hoces, José Luis Arumí, Antonieta Rodríguez,
water management Vital Pedro da Silva Paz, Geographic Information System supported farm
Fortes et Simulate schedule for scenarios for
irrigation system design & planning.
Syr Darya basin,

2 al., project, help region/project scale,

2005 management can be visualize
Uzbekistan
GISAREG

spatial
Yes

distribution of water
demand
Scheme irrigation management

Simulate different
Facilitate water& day crop & irrigation
information system (SIMIS)

to day management, scenario for water

manage irrigation delivery schedule,
water compare existing
Mateos
3 delivery schedule, situation for
etal., 2002
and help in integrate improvement
Different parts

management of irrigation, can be

of the World

Irrigation project. visualized

Yes

input/output.

Share weather & Publishes weather

Evapotranspiration &
A Web based GIS

region, Portugal

information to Evapotranspiration
Dhakal,
4 farmers through map from
2010
internet to support interpolation of
Alentejo

Yes

irrigation automatic weather

management. data through web.

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