The Impact of Tanks on Surface Hydrology using a Combined Hydrological Modelling and Remote Sensing Approach in an Ungauged Basin

Small reservoirs are widely used in semi-arid regions by local rural communities for water harvesting. South India is a prime example of a region characterized by an unpredictable, severe climate with over 160,000 ancient old water storage reservoir structures (known as tanks) that are no longer fully utilized since the introduction of groundwater extraction. Today, with increased water security pressure, governments and other organizations are rehabilitating tanks to increase much needed irrigation potential. Motivated by the urgent need for systematic, repeatable information of tank state for improved water management, this project utilizes multi-sensor satellite data and hydrological model outputs to understand and monitor tank dynamics at larger spatial scales. Expected results include basin-scale water budgets for various tank filling scenarios and an assessment of how satellite remote sensing of reservoir volume and evapotranspiration improve the skill of the simulated runoff.

Faculty Supervisor:

Richard Kelly

Student:

Partner:

Institut de Recherche pour le Developement (IDR)

Discipline:

Physics

Sector:

Water; Sustainability & the Environment; Agriculture and Food

University:

University of Waterloo

Program: