Zavkhan River and Its Catchment Area Delineation Using Satellite Image

Ochir  Altansukh; Munkhjargal  Munkhdavaa; Bat-Erdene  Ariunsanaa; Tsetsgee  Solongo

doi:10.4236/jwarp.2013.510095

Ochir Altansukh^*, Munkhjargal Munkhdavaa, Bat-Erdene Ariunsanaa, Tsetsgee Solongo

Abstract: The purpose of this research is to define initial parameters of Khyargas Lake-Zavkhan River and its catchment area using satellite images. The study has been done by two datasets: 1) Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) at a horizontal spatial resolution of 90 meters, 2) The Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) at a horizontal spatial resolution of 30 meters, using two different models of ArcHydro and Integrated Land and Water Information System (ILWIS) softwares. Main methods of models, that were used in this research are the Deterministic-8, the steepest slope, the spread, the seek computations and the trace analysis. Moreover, input data of the modeling are digital elevation model (DEM) and lake position, outlet location of the river. DEM based ArcHydro model was run on the both datasets, and ILWIS model was run on SRTM data. Several intermediate results were produced while the models run, and initial parameters of the Zavkhan River, its catchment area have been defined at the end of the model. Moreover, final results of the models were compared with each other and with the result of previous research, and with the reality. The result of this study can be used in baseline and advanced research on the catchment area. Besides of that, the result can define a spatial boundary of study on Zavkhan River and its catchment area. Moreover, it would have support for decision-making on ground and surface water resource, distribution and management. Further research, which will cover the entire territory of Mongolia, has to be done using same methodology. The 332nd decision on “River catchment areas of Mongolia” of the Minister of Nature, Environment and Tourism in 2009 has to renew, if a result of that study would be accepted from vocational organization and experts.

Keywords: Khyargas Lake-Zavkhan River; Catchment Area; Initial Parameters of the River; Satellite Image; Mod-eling

Cite this paper: O. Altansukh, M. Munkhdavaa, B. Ariunsanaa and T. Solongo, "Zavkhan River and Its Catchment Area Delineation Using Satellite Image," Journal of Water Resource and Protection, Vol. 5 No. 10, 2013, pp. 919-929. doi: 10.4236/jwarp.2013.510095.

References

[1] MNET, “Mongolian River Catchment Area,” Ministry of Nature, Environment and Tourism, Ulaanbaatar City, 2009.

[2] O. Altansukh, “Surface water database of Mongolia,” Environmental Information Center, 2009.

[3] M. A. E. Bastawesy, R. R. Ali and A. H. Nasr, “The Use of Remote Sensing and GIS for Catchments Delineation in Northwestern Coast of Egypt: An Assessment of Water Resources and Soil Potential,” The Egyptian Journal of Remote Sensing and Space Sciences, Vol. 11, 2008, pp. 3-16.

[4] D. Tuvdendorj and B. Myagmarjav, “The Atlas of the Climate and Ground Water Resources in the Mongolian People’s Republic,” 10th Factory of DUDK, Ulaanbaatar City, 1985.

[5] E. Damba, “Schematization of Integrated Water Resources Management of the Selenge River Basin,” Administration of Geodesy and Cartography, Ulaanbaatar City, 1986.

[6] N. Sodnom and A. L. Yanshini, “The National Atlas of the Mongolian People’s Republic,” Cartographic Factory of the Minsk City, Ulaanbaatar City, 1990.

[7] D. Dorjgotov, “Mongolian National Atlas,” Institute of Geography, Ulaanbaatar City, 2009.

[8] D. Sanjmyatav, “River Catchments in Mongolia,” WWF-Mongolia, Ulaanbaatar City, 2010.

[9] G. Dolgorsuren and J. Bron, “Integrated Water Management: National Assessment Report,” SIWRMiM Project, Ulaanbaatar City, 2012.

[10] A. Jarvis, et al., “Hole-Filled Seamless SRTM Data V4,” International Centre for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT), 2008.

[11] NASA, “Land Processes Distributed Active Archive Center (LPDAAC)-ASTER GDEM L1B,” USGS/Earth Resources Observation and Sciences (EROS) Center, 2001.

[12] ESRI, “ArcHydro—GIS for Water Resources,” ESRI, California, 2002.

[13] W. Koolhoven, J. Hendrikse and W. Nieuwenhuis, “ILWIS,” ITC, Enschede, 2007.

[14] R. A. D. By, R. A. Knippers and M. J. C.Weir, “Principles of Geographic Information Systems,” In: R. A. D. By, Ed., An Introductory Textbook, ITC, Enschede, 2004, p. 483.

[15] B. H. P. Maathuis, “DEM Based Hydro-Processing,” 1st Edition, ITC, Enschede, 2007.

[16] B. H. P. Maathuis and L. Wang, “Digital Elevation Model Based Hydro-Processing,” Geocarto-International, Vol. 21, No. 1, 2006, pp. 21-26.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/10106040608542370

[17] ESRI, “ArcHydro—Tools and Tutorial,” ESRI, New York, 2009.