GIS in Irrigation andWater Management - Practices of Irrigation and On-farm Water Management - page 423

Chapter 11
GIS in Irrigation and Water Management
Contents
11.1 Introduction ............................... 424
11.2 Definition of GIS ............................. 424
11.3 Benefits of GIS Over Other Information Systems ............... 424
11.4 Major Tasks in GIS ............................ 425
11.5 Applications of GIS ............................ 425
11.6 Techniques Used in GIS .......................... 427
11.7 Implementation of GIS .......................... 427
11.8 Data and Databases for GIS ........................ 428
11.9 Sources of Spatial Data .......................... 428
11.10 Data Input ................................ 429
11.11 GIS-Based Modeling or Spatial Modeling .................. 429
11.12 Remote Sensing Techniques ........................ 430
Relevant Journals ................................ 431
Questions .................................... 431
References ................................... 431
In most part of the world, water resources are finite and most of the economically
viable development has already been implemented. In addition, population growth
and the effects of cyclic droughts on irrigated agriculture have put pressure on the
available water resources. Such prevailing conditions have the effect of creating an
imbalance between the increasing water demand and limited available water supply.
Under this perspective, effective planning and management can only be obtained on
the basis of reliable information on spatial and temporal patterns of farmer's water
demand, on farming irrigation practices, and on physical and operational features
of large-scale irrigation systems. The timely and reliable assessment and monitor-
ing of water resources and systematic exploration and developing new ones is of
paramount importance. For this, it is necessary to employ modern methods of sur-
veying, investigations, design, and implementation. Remote sensing and GIS are
viewed as an efficient tool for irrigation water management.