Automatic Extraction of Watershed Model by using Python Programming

Abstract

In earlier days, watershed delineation was mainly conducted by the method of hand delineation. Now a days GIS tools are being widely used for delineation of watershed boundary and identifying stream network. The advancements and new techniques in information technologies are making it possible to acquire large-scale spatial data through satellite data, elevation models with help of user-friendly programming. Watershed delineation is a process for creating a boundary that represents the contributing area for a specific control point or water outlet, with the intent of characterization and analysis of portions of a study area. Although many GIS tools and software are available for watershed analysis, there is a need for optimized libraries for client-side and for better illustration of data in interactive environment for hydrological data analysis. In this connection, presently we are developing a model for the automatic delineation of watershed area from Shuttle Radar Topographical Mission (SRTM) digital elevation model by using Python program. The data required by the model are digital elevation and the spatial coordinate of spill way, outlets etc. In this project, we can be developed and demonstrated several watershed delineation techniques on large scale by using Python programming.