13.4 Digital elevation models and terrain analysis

5 min readjuly 30, 2024

Digital elevation models (DEMs) are essential tools in hydrology. They provide gridded representations of Earth's surface, enabling analysis of terrain features that influence water flow and distribution. DEMs are used for , flow analysis, and flood modeling.

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Terrain analysis with DEMs involves quantifying topographic features like slope, aspect, and curvature. These analyses help understand how landscape shapes affect hydrological processes. resolution and accuracy are crucial factors, impacting the reliability of hydrological modeling results and the level of detail captured in watershed delineation.

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DEMs for Hydrological Studies

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Concept and Applications

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  • Digital elevation models (DEMs) are gridded representations of the Earth's surface, where each cell contains an elevation value
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  • DEMs provide a continuous surface of elevation data across a given area
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  • DEMs are derived from various sources, including ground surveys, photogrammetry, (Light Detection and Ranging), and satellite imagery (SRTM, ASTER GDEM)
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  • In hydrological studies, DEMs are used for a wide range of applications:
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- Watershed delineation
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- [Flow direction](https://www.fiveableKeyTerm:flow_direction) and accumulation analysis
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- Stream network extraction
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- Flood modeling
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Topographic Characterization

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  • DEMs enable the characterization of topographic features, which influence hydrological processes like , , and erosion:
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- Slope: Steepness of the terrain
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- Aspect: Compass direction that a slope faces
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- Curvature: Convexity or concavity of the terrain
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- Hillshade: Shaded relief map enhancing visualization of topographic features
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  • The choice of DEM resolution and accuracy depends on the scale and purpose of the hydrological study, as well as the available data sources and computational resources
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Terrain Analysis with DEMs

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Quantitative Analysis Techniques

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  • Terrain analysis involves the quantitative analysis of topographic features and their relationships using DEMs
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  • calculates the gradient and steepness of the terrain, which influences surface runoff velocity, infiltration rates, and erosion potential
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- Slope is computed using the maximum rate of change in elevation between each cell and its neighbors
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  • determines the compass direction that a slope faces, affecting solar radiation, evapotranspiration, and vegetation patterns
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- Aspect is calculated based on the direction of the maximum rate of change in elevation
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  • Curvature analysis assesses the convexity or concavity of the terrain, influencing flow convergence or divergence
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- Curvature is derived from the second derivative of the elevation surface
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Hydrological Indices

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  • Hillshade analysis creates a shaded relief map that enhances the visualization of topographic features by simulating the effect of illumination on the terrain
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  • Topographic wetness index (TWI) identifies areas prone to soil saturation and surface runoff based on the upstream contributing area and slope
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- TWI is calculated as the natural logarithm of the ratio between the specific catchment area and the slope
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- Higher TWI values indicate areas with greater potential for soil saturation and runoff generation
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- TWI is useful for mapping wetlands, identifying saturated areas, and assessing soil moisture patterns
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DEM Resolution and Accuracy

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Impact on Hydrological Modeling

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  • DEM resolution refers to the size of the grid cells or the spatial resolution of the elevation data
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- Higher resolution DEMs (1m, 5m) capture more detailed topographic features compared to lower resolution DEMs (30m, 90m)
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  • DEM accuracy represents the degree to which the elevation values in the DEM match the true elevations of the Earth's surface
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- Accuracy is affected by factors such as the data collection method, terrain complexity, and post-processing techniques
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  • The choice of DEM resolution and accuracy can significantly impact hydrological modeling results:
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- Watershed boundaries
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- Stream networks
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- Flow patterns
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Considerations for Selection

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  • Coarser resolution DEMs may generalize topographic features, leading to smoothed watershed boundaries and stream networks
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  • Higher resolution DEMs capture more detailed drainage patterns and topographic variations
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  • Lower accuracy DEMs can introduce errors in elevation values, affecting the derived hydrological parameters and modeling outcomes
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- These errors can propagate through the modeling process and influence the reliability of the results
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  • Sensitivity analysis can be performed to assess the impact of DEM resolution and accuracy on hydrological modeling results by comparing outputs generated from DEMs of different resolutions and accuracy levels
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  • The selection of an appropriate DEM resolution and accuracy depends on:
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- Scale of the hydrological study
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- Desired level of detail
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- Computational resources available
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Watershed Delineation with DEMs

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Delineation Process

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  • Watershed delineation is the process of identifying the boundary of a based on the topography represented by a DEM
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- It involves determining the contributing area that drains to a specific outlet or pour point
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  • Flow direction algorithms, such as the D8 (eight-direction) method, determine the direction of water flow from each cell to its steepest downslope neighbor
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- Flow direction is assigned based on the maximum elevation gradient between the cell and its eight neighboring cells
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  • Flow accumulation calculates the number of upstream cells that contribute flow to each cell in the DEM
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- It represents the drainage area or catchment area for each cell
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  • The flow direction and flow accumulation calculations are performed iteratively, starting from the highest elevations and progressively moving downstream
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Extraction of Hydrological Features

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  • Thresholding the flow accumulation raster allows for the extraction of the stream network
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- Cells with high flow accumulation values represent stream channels
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- The threshold value determines the level of detail in the extracted stream network
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  • Watershed outlets or pour points can be identified based on user-defined locations or automatically determined based on the stream network and topographic characteristics
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  • Watershed boundaries are delineated by tracing the ridgelines that separate adjacent drainage basins, following the flow direction information derived from the DEM
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  • The delineated watersheds and stream networks serve as fundamental inputs for various hydrological modeling applications:
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- Runoff estimation
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- Flood mapping
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- Water resource management

Key Terms to Review (18)

ArcGIS: ArcGIS is a comprehensive geographic information system (GIS) software developed by Esri that allows users to visualize, analyze, interpret, and manage spatial data. It supports various functionalities like mapping, spatial analysis, and data management, making it essential for understanding relationships and patterns in geographic data across different time frames and locations.
Aspect Analysis: Aspect analysis is a method used to determine the orientation or slope direction of terrain surfaces, typically derived from digital elevation models (DEMs). This technique provides insights into how the topography influences various environmental factors such as sunlight exposure, moisture retention, and vegetation growth. By analyzing aspect, researchers can better understand how different land surfaces interact with climatic and hydrological processes.
Contouring: Contouring is the process of drawing lines on a map or a digital surface to connect points of equal elevation, which helps in visualizing the shape and slope of the terrain. This technique is essential for understanding landforms, as it allows for the analysis of topography and aids in various applications such as hydrological modeling, urban planning, and environmental assessment.
D8 algorithm: The d8 algorithm is a method used in hydrological modeling to determine the flow direction of water across a digital elevation model (DEM) grid. This algorithm assigns one of eight possible flow directions to each cell in the grid based on the steepest descent to its neighboring cells, which is crucial for accurately modeling surface water movement and drainage patterns.
DEM: A Digital Elevation Model (DEM) is a 3D representation of a terrain's surface, created using digital data to represent the Earth's topography. DEMs are crucial in terrain analysis as they allow for the visualization and manipulation of elevation data, helping in applications such as hydrology, urban planning, and environmental management. By converting elevation points into a grid format, DEMs provide essential information for understanding landforms, watershed boundaries, and slope characteristics.
Drainage basin: A drainage basin is an area of land where all precipitation collects and drains into a common outlet, such as a river, lake, or ocean. It plays a crucial role in the hydrological cycle by capturing water from rainfall and melting snow, guiding it through various water bodies. The characteristics of a drainage basin, including its shape, size, and land use, significantly influence hydrological processes like runoff and erosion.
Flood Risk Assessment: Flood risk assessment is the process of evaluating the potential for flooding in a given area, considering various factors like rainfall intensity, land use, and the capacity of drainage systems. It plays a critical role in understanding how design storms can affect flood levels, analyzing drainage networks to identify vulnerabilities, routing flood flows through different terrains, and using digital elevation models to visualize flood risks and impacts.
Flow direction: Flow direction refers to the path that water follows as it moves across the surface of the land or through a digital terrain model. Understanding flow direction is essential for hydrological modeling, as it influences how water accumulates, drains, and interacts with the landscape. It plays a crucial role in various processes like erosion, sediment transport, and the distribution of aquatic habitats.
Grid resolution: Grid resolution refers to the size of the individual cells in a grid-based model, which determines the level of detail and accuracy of spatial data representation. A finer grid resolution means smaller cells, allowing for more precise data and better representation of topography and features in digital elevation models. Conversely, a coarser grid resolution results in larger cells, which can lead to loss of detail and accuracy in terrain analysis.
Hydrological response: Hydrological response refers to the way water systems react to various inputs, such as precipitation, land use changes, or alterations in the physical environment. This response can vary significantly based on factors like soil type, vegetation cover, and topography, influencing how quickly and effectively water is absorbed, stored, and routed through a landscape. Understanding hydrological response is crucial for managing water resources and predicting the impacts of environmental changes.
Infiltration: Infiltration is the process by which water on the ground surface enters the soil. It plays a crucial role in the movement of water through the hydrological cycle, impacting groundwater recharge, surface runoff, and overall watershed health.
Interpolation: Interpolation is a mathematical method used to estimate unknown values that fall within the range of a discrete set of known data points. This technique is essential in spatial analysis, allowing for the prediction of values at unsampled locations based on existing data, thus facilitating better understanding and visualization of spatial phenomena.
Lidar: Lidar, which stands for Light Detection and Ranging, is a remote sensing technology that uses laser light to measure distances and create precise, three-dimensional information about the Earth's surface. This technique is crucial for gathering high-resolution data that can be used in various applications, including mapping, surveying, and environmental monitoring. Lidar integrates well with GIS, enhancing spatial analysis and supporting detailed hydrological modeling through accurate terrain representation.
QGIS: QGIS, or Quantum GIS, is an open-source geographic information system (GIS) that enables users to visualize, analyze, and interpret spatial data. Its versatility allows for the integration of various data formats and the use of advanced spatial analysis techniques, making it a vital tool for handling complex geospatial problems in diverse fields like environmental science and urban planning.
Slope analysis: Slope analysis is the evaluation of the steepness or incline of a terrain surface, often measured in degrees or as a percentage. This process is crucial in understanding how water moves over land, identifying areas prone to erosion, and determining suitable locations for construction and agriculture. By analyzing slopes through digital elevation models, researchers can better assess watershed management and flood risks.
Surface runoff: Surface runoff is the flow of water, typically rainwater, that occurs when excess water from precipitation or melting snow cannot be absorbed by the soil and instead flows over the land surface. This phenomenon plays a crucial role in the hydrological cycle, influencing processes such as water balance in root zones, hydrological modeling, hydrograph analysis, and the use of geographic information systems for terrain analysis.
Vertical accuracy: Vertical accuracy refers to the degree to which the elevation data from a source matches the true elevation of the terrain it represents. This measure is crucial when evaluating the quality of digital elevation models (DEMs) and plays a significant role in terrain analysis, where precise elevation information is needed for applications like hydrological modeling and environmental assessment.
Watershed delineation: Watershed delineation is the process of identifying and mapping the boundaries of a watershed, which is the land area that drains water into a specific water body, such as a river, lake, or ocean. This process is essential for understanding hydrological processes, managing water resources, and assessing environmental impacts within a defined area. It plays a crucial role in various applications, including modeling, water quality assessment, and spatial analysis.
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