This document discusses the use of GIS for water resource management in the US and developing countries. In the US, GIS is commonly used for watershed management, stormwater and wastewater management, surface and groundwater management through data analysis, modeling and communication. Developing countries face challenges of limited data, expertise and resources but GIS shows promise for disaster risk reduction and basin-wide water management. The document provides examples of GIS applications in flood risk mapping, water quality assessment and decision support for water managers in Morocco.

1. Using GIS for Water Resources Management –
Selected U.S. and International Applications
ESRI Federal GIS Conference, Washington DC
February 23, 2012
Henry Manguerra, Ph.D.
hmanguerra@mbakercorp.com

2. Objectives
 Quick sampling of Baker projects that
demonstrate use of GIS for water resources
management
 Understanding the difference in the use of GIS
between U.S. and international (developing)
countries
Acknowledgements
B a ke r P r o j e c t Te a m s , P a r t n e r s , a n d C u s t o m e r s

3. GIS Uses
Analysis/ Communication
Modeling
Enterprise Use of GIS
Data Management
Source: Young et al., (2010). Enterprise GIS. 2010 ESRI Federal User Conference

4. Water Resources Management
Watershed Stormwater/
Management Wastewater
Management
Surface Water
Management
Needs:
Drinking Water
Groundwater Management Sanitation
Irrigation/Water Supply
Flood Risk Protection
Energy/Hydropower
Image source: www.venturariver.org

5. GIS in Water Resources Management
Data Analysis/ Communica-
Modeling tion
Watershed √ √ √
Management
Surface Water √ √ √
Management
Groundwater √ √ √
Management
Stormwater/ √ √ √
Wastewater
Management

6. DFIRM Database

7. Online Water/Wastewater Data Access
MWRD Tunnel and Reservoir System
• 535 miles of sewer and force mains
• 10 miles of deep tunnels
• 10,000 local sewer connections
• 76 miles of navigable waterways
• 1,200 miles of small streams
• 34 reservoirs

8. Analysis and Modeling
Watershed Watershed Modeling and Flood Hazard
Delineation Characterization Simulation Mapping

9. Analyzing Stormwater LID Retrofits under
Climate Change Scenarios

10. Communicating Source Water Protection
Strategies to Stakeholders

11. Presenting Downscaled Climate Change
Impacts on Spatial Extent of Wetlands
Station 79897.28
From Station 84890.15 to 79406.8
Wetland Area (Baseline) = 1.32 sq mi
Wetland Area (Projected) = 1.48 sq mi
Percent Increase = 12.1 %
Floodplain Width (Station 79897.28) = 1029 ft
Increase in Width (Station 79897.28) = 455ft

12. Managing Workflow for Small Stream
Maintenance Program

13. Managing at the Enterprise FEMA’s Map
Modernization and Risk Map Program

14. Use of GIS Technology Within the Context of
a Gartner Hype Cycle
U.S
Expectation
Developing
Countries

15. Typical Issues/Constraints – Developing
Countries
 Data Constraints
 Data availability and accessibility
 Data accuracy
 Data resolution
 Data completeness
 Modeling Constraints
 Limited Technical Expertise and Capacity
(including use of GIS for Analysis and
Modeling)
 New to Watershed Modeling
 Historically, focusing on receiving water modeling

16. Immediate Potential Applications of GIS in
Developing Countries
 Disaster Risk Reduction
 Flood Risk Reduction
 Water Pollution Reduction

17. Mega-Cities of Developing Countries
Investments on Wastewater and
Sanitation Infrastructure and Services

18. Basin-wide Water Resources Management in
Morocco
Sebou River Basin

19. Catastrophic Flooding in the Gharb Plain

20. Pollution Hotspots in the Basin

21. Decision and Analysis Support Framework
GIS-Enabled

22. GIS-Based Modeling System
Floodplain Mapping
Water Quality Impacts Assessment Flood Forecasting

23. Summary
 Use of GIS has increased the effectiveness of
organizations to manage water resources
especially in the U.S.
 Technical capacity, data and resource
constraints are the main hurdles for
developing countries before they can fully
reap the benefits of GIS

24. Questions
Thank You

25. Using GIS for Water Resources Management –
Selected U.S. and International Applications
ESRI Federal User Conference, Washington DC
February 23, 2012
Henry Manguerra, Ph.D.