Application of remotely sensed imagery to watershed analysis a case study of Lake Karoun, Egypt

Delineation of Lake Karoun watershed in Egypt was carried out and various watershed parameters and environmental characteristics were extracted using geographic information system and remote sensing. Environmental characteristics including normalized vegetation index (NDVI), moisture index, land surface temperature, and land use classes were obtained from high spatial resolution images (Landsat TM). Moreover, hydrological parameters, drainage flow directions, drainage networks, and catchments from digital elevation model have been delineated using the Advanced Space-borne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) satellite images. As a result, the lake's watershed characteristics including the environmental and hydrological factors for each watershed zone were presented and analyzed. The information generated would be of immense help in hydrological modeling of watershed for prediction of runoff and sediment yield, thereby providing necessary inputs for developing suitable developmental management plans with sound scientific basis.