Remote sensing of tank irrigated areas in Tamil Nadu State, India

Abstract

Abstract More than one-third of the total irrigated croplands in Tamil Nadu State in India are under tanks which are man-made water impoundments. The data base regarding availability and agricultural use of this resource is, however, inadequate and outdated. This paper presents an evaluation of the feasibilityof using satellite sensing techniques to generate current information and periodically to update the tank irrigation data. Tanks can be mapped reliably from satellite altitudes. Regional regression models can be developed in which waterspread areas measured on satellite data can be input to provide estimates of the volume of water stored in the tanks. Suitable single-date or, if necessary, multidate LANDSAT data may be used to map croplands irrigated by tanks and manual inventory methods may be employed to estimate the cropland acreage. In view of the frequent cloud cover conditions, a methodology needs to be developed in which LANDSAT data and aerial photography may be combined cost effectively with...