Applying geographic information systems (GIS) techniques to estimate surface area of Al-Razzaza Lake, Karbala province, Iraq

Abstract

Countries with dry and semi-arid climates, like Iraq, employ manmade or natural water bodies to regulate river levels and store water during flood seasons, preserving the ecosystem’s equilibrium. The goal of the current study was to determine the surface area of Lake Al-Razzaza, which is situated in the Karbala Governorate of Iraq, using an integrated approach based on geographic information systems and remote sensing. Landsat satellite images taken in October 2015, 2019 and 2023 were used as a source of data to monitor the changing area covered by the lake. The results showed that the surface area of the Al-Razzaza Lake was 363 km2, 316 km2, and 221 km2 for the years 2015, 2019, and 2023, respectively. It was observed that there was a slight difference in the surface water area of Al-Razzaza Lake between 2015 and 2023, estimated at 47 km2, while there was a decrease in the area of the lake in 2019, estimated at 142 km2. This study demonstrated the effectiveness of GIS technology and Landsat satellite images in topographical analysis of water bodies and monitoring water bodies over large areas in a short time and at a low cost.