Open Source Geo-Spatial Tools and Mobile Device for Canal Network Digitization

Management of distribution network for a large irrigation project is a challenging task. Many times, the layouts implemented on the ground differ significantly at the local level due to demands of the local population. Over a long period of time, the information of the network of old projects which fall into lack of maintenance gets lost and at the time of rehabilitation, it is needed for estimating the quantum of work as well as to understand the problems arising out of hydraulics and local constraints. In this context, the modern technologies based on GPS and other open source tools like google maps provide valuable help. The webinar describes the success in such efforts and presents a methodology for mapping large irrigation systems through GPS and GIS tools in the public domain.

Now a days, capturing of coordinates is possible with all devices which are connected to satellites, but purchasing of Global Positioning System (GPS) device, especially for a single task, is not viable at all times due to economic constraints. At the field level, most of the staff are using mobile devices (smartphones). These devices produce the coordinates with sufficient accuracy, which is helpful in capturing the photograph of the required place by enabling the GPS service in the mobile. Moreover, the GPS on the mobile device also uses satellite triangulation.

Irrigations schemes covering huge command areas and long canals were all represented previously on toposheets. The third parties working with these irrigation schemes used these toposheets for digitizing the canals and command areas. But it does not represent the ground situation. To represent the ground situation, GIS is the best tool and methodologies are there for digitizing the canal networks. Mobile devices were used for collecting the ground data. The mobile-based data collection is a user-friendly method which is easier to collect the ground data and there is zero percent investment on the work output. The open source GIS software (QGIS) and Google Earth are very helpful to get the digitized canal networks in short span of time.

In this webinar, we will be discussing how mobile device, open sources mobile app and Geospatial technology can be used for collecting the ground truth data and how to process the raw data. A case study from Guntur Channel Medium Irrigation Project, water use efficiency studies, WALAMTARI experience and another case study from Bhupathipalem Medium Irrigation Project, Canal Network Digitization Studies will be covered. The end product with this method has multiple uses. The raw data means photographs can show the real scenario of the canals and it can be shown on their original location for assessing the structure status also.