Middle Verde Geospatial Database Project

Rob Ross and Abe Springer

Arizona Water Institute

Geospatial Research and Information Laboratory

Northern Arizona University

May 21st 2008

Outline

• Introduction to project

• Discussion of Geographical Information Systems (GIS)

• Data compilation and verification

• Design of conceptual model

• Design of analytical model

• Phase two of study

Study Reach

Introduction

• Yavapai County funded study to compile data for use in surface water flow model

• Objectives– Compilation of data– Editing and verification of data– Design of surface water flow (hydraulic)

model from GIS information

What is a GIS?

• Geographic Information System• Collection of information including

geographic data (maps) and qualitative and quantitative information (names, area, flow rates, etc.) to create a graphical representation of a system

• Metadata describing the quality and scope of data (data about the data)

GIS of study area

Attributes and Layers

• Attributes are tables of information linked to a graphical representation

• Layers are groups of shapefiles or file database information used to organize information

• Attributes enable labeling to show values/names of areas of interest

Attributes and Layers

Types of information included in GIS

• Line shapefiles• Point shapefiles• Polygon shapefiles• Added information

(pictures, sound/video files, etc.)

• Attribute tables

Uses for GIS

• Spatial decision support systems - ability to analyze geographic data to support decisions

• Automated spatial modeling - simulation and forecasting (i.e., surface flow model reacting within geographic constraints over time)

• Network analysis - calculate distances in relation to other data

Projection systems

• Accurately display information from a spherical world as a flat map

• Use coordinate projection systems to represent actual locations on maps

• Many data sources come from different data projections

• Convert into common projection

http://erg.usgs.gov/isb/pubs/MapProjections/graphics/mercator.gif

How Projections Work

Data Collection Sources

• Yavapai County GIS Department• Arizona Department of Water

Resources 2000 report• Salt River Project GIS/Cartography

department• USGS • Eureka and Diamond S ditch

associations

Data Issues

• Compiled data from multiple sources• Differences in collection and scale• Variant projection systems• Different tolerance criteria • Sources used for different purposes• Data collected at different points over long

period of time

Primary Data Layers

• Irrigation

• Ditches

• Means Conveyance (laterals)

• Vegetation

• Aerial photography

• Well data

Primary Layers

Secondary Data Layers

• Land Parcel information

• Springs

• Verde river channel

• Tributary channels

• Roads

• Cities

Secondary/Reference Layers

Editing Protocol

• Layers edited over 12 inch pixel resolution aerial photography (PhotoMapper software)

• Edited for detail at 1:750 scale• Multiple fields merged for simplicity, where

common attributes permit• Polygons not drawn around

buildings/roads/property lines• Data updated where obvious changes are present• Consistent methods for different layers to create

uniform data system

Cottonwood

1:2400 before editing

1:2400 after editing

Lateral gate on Eureka Ditch

Eureka Ditch at Verde River Drive

Pioneer Ditch Sluice

Operation Data

Accuracy of edited layers

• 5 feet with irrigation layers• 5 feet in ditch layers• 5-20 feet in lateral locations• Error due to sub-grade duct routing and

estimation of boundaries of irrigation/vegetation layers

• Well layers are taken “as is” due to large number of locations, and access issues

NEMO does not provide coverages at a ditch/diversion Scale, nor is their data ground checked.

NEMO

Phase Two

• Examination of modeling software

• Determination of necessary features in software

• Preparation of surface water flow model for Middle and Upper Verde River

Hydraulic Models

• Simulate flow of water in channels

• Channels can be natural and constructed

• Simulate surface-water/groundwater interactions

Hydrologic Models

• Simulate runoff in watersheds

• Typically difficult if not impossible to use in arid regions

Recommendations

• Use hydraulic model to simulatesteady baseflow in river and diversions

• Unsteady baseflow during diversion season

• Use HEC-RAS in WMS• GIS based 1D model• Can also be used to create floodplain

maps

Summary

• Compiled all known existing information• Editing has greatly increased accuracy of

data, and provided operation data• Combination of remote sensing and field

checking has verified information• GIS will serve as a complete input system for

surface water flow model• Hydraulic flow model is most appropriate for

region

AcknowledgementsMark Manone and GRAILLeslie Graser, ADWRJeanmarie Haney, TNCKevin Blake, Yavapai County GISGIS/Cartography Department, SRPKyle Blasch and Don Bills, USGSJohn Rasmussen, Yavapai CountyJohn McReynolds and Steve Ayers, Eureka Ditch AssociationFrank Geminden, Diamond S Ditch Association