Lake Inventory Between 1970 and 2016 in Neyveli Hydrological Basin and Generation of Digital Data Base Using Geospatial Technology

Abstract

Taking care of tanks is essential for the preservation of the several functions of the ecosystem. Therefore, a digital database of surface water and lakes/tanks is critical. Consequently, it is necessary to identify the potentially favorable lakes/tanks useful in irrigation activities and supplement the groundwater rejuvenation. This study took the initiative to digitally document the lakes/ tanks within the Neyveli Hydrological Basin (NHB). Modern techniques like Remote sensing and GIS have been utilized for the present study to generate the digital database about the surface water system in the NHB. This study comparatively examines the 1970s lake map developed from the Geological Survey of India toposheet and the 2016 lake map from NRSC -RESOURCESAT-2 (LISS IV) and CARTOSAT-1 satellite image. The study tracks down that the NHB bounded with 4,492 lakes/tanks with the size ranging from 0.0000447 to 24.14607 sq. km. These lakes/tanks were reclassified into five categorized according to their size by using Arc GIS. The study reveals that 3,231 lakes are defunct, and only 1261 exist, which indicates that 72% of the surface water bodies have vanished within 46 years at the rate of 70 lakes per year. The present study will form the essential information for further analysis and future studies. It can provide an estimation of the water reserves for agricultural production and evaluate the impact of climate change / global warming.