Using spot satellite data to map impervious cover for urban runoff predictions

Abstract

Environment planners are constantly seeking rapid, accurate, and cost‐effective techniques to determine land cover information associated with water quality and quantity during runoff events in urban watersheds. Traditionally, this is accomplished with field surveys, aerial photographs, and/or generalized published maps. These techniques can be time consuming and labor intensive. In this study, SPOT, 10 meter‐panchromatic, satellite digital data were used to classify and map impervious cover in an urban watershed in Dallas, Texas (USA). Using the image‐derived impervious cover map and a hydrologic runoff equation, urban storm water volumes were predicted for 1990 and 1991 with an 85% accuracy when compared to actual runoff data obtained from a U.S. Geological Survey (U.S.G.S) stream gauge station.