Dam site selection using remote sensing techniques and geographical information system to control flood events in Tabuk city.

Abstract

Constructing dams around the city of Tabuk is an important solution to controlling flood events, as well as increasing surface water budget and creating ground water recharge spots. The success of this effort is mainly based on locating the best site for a dam in the area. The aim of this study is to demonstrate the use of remote sensing, and geographic information system in dam site selection within the context of a catchment scale. Digital Elevation Model was used from the Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER 30m) to characterise the catchment area. Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus images (ETM+) from LandSat 7 were used to classify the land cover in the study area. Several software packages such as ERDAS 11, Global Mapper 15.2 and ArcGIS 10.1 were used to construct and process the basic database. In addition, model builder from ArcGIS 10.1 was employed to construct a simplified model and integratesraster and vector datasets. The parameters of this model were: catchment slope (less 3%), delineation network order more than or equal to 7 and Runoff Coefficient (0.4). Six suitable locations were chosen: Wadi Dam in connection with Wadi Al Baqqr, Wadi Na’am, Wadi Atanah, Wadi Abu Nishayfah A, Wadi Abu Nishayfah B and Qa’a Sharawra.