GIS: a tool for siting farm ponds

• Published in: Journal of soil and water conservation Vol. 51; no. 5; pp. 434 - 438
• Main Authors: Vorhauer, C.F. (Texas A and M University, College Station.), Hamlett, J.M
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: Ankeny, IA Soil and Water Conservation Society 01.09.1996; Soil & Water Conservation Society
• Subjects: Agricultural machinery and engineering; Agronomy. Soil science and plant productions; Animal productions; APTITUDE DES TERRES; BALANCE HIDRICO; BILAN HYDRIQUE; Biological and medical sciences; CARTOGRAFIA; CARTOGRAPHIE; CARTOGRAPHY; DECISION MAKING; DETERMINATION; DRAINAGE DE SURFACE; DRENAJE DE SUPERFICIE; Earth sciences; Earth, ocean, space; ESCORRENTIA; ESTANQUES; ETANG; Exact sciences and technology; EXPLOITATION AGRICOLE; EXPLOTACIONES AGRARIAS; FARMS; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Generalities. Biometrics, experimentation. Remote sensing; GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS; HIDROLOGIA; HYDROLOGIE; HYDROLOGY; Hydrology. Hydrogeology; LAND SUITABILITY; Livestock; Management; MAPPING; MEASUREMENT; MEDICION; MESURE; METHODE; METHODOLOGY; METHODS; METODOS; PONDS; PRISE DE DECISION; RUISSELLEMENT; RUNOFF; SISTEMAS DE INFORMACION GEOGRAFICA; Site selection; SURFACE DRAINAGE; SYSTEME D'INFORMATION GEOGRAPHIQUE; Terrestrial animal productions; TOMA DE DECISIONES; Vertebrates; VOCACION DE LA TIERRA; WATER BALANCE; United States; North America; America; Pennsylvania; Site; Thematic map; Agricultural hydraulics; Water management; Cartographic representation; Methodology; Site analysis; Water resource management; Water conservation; Identification; Runoff water; Information technology; Hydrology; Pond; Automatic cartography; Pasture; Runoff; Geographic information system; Computer graphics; Surface water; Livestock; Rearing; Farming
• ISSN: 0022-4561; 1941-3300

A geographic information system (GIS) application was developed for identifying potential sites for a farm pond to serve as a permanent livestock watering system amenable to rotational grazing and independent of ephemeral streams. The approach consisted of the following components: (1) developing the digitized database and attribute files, (2) locating potential sites based on topography, land use, and soil, (3) conducting a water balance for each potential site, (4) ranking the potential sites as to desirability, and (5) recommending ways to enhance water harvesting capabilities. The GIS screening produced maps showing the locations of suitable pond sites. Based on these maps, the watershed of each site was determined and the potential runoff to the pond was predicted using the Natural Resources Conservation Service Curve Number Method. Spreadsheet calculations were used for performing a water balance. Potential pond sites were selected for further consideration based on a slope of 8% or less, soil suitable for aquifer-fed ponds, and land areas not used for homesteads, croplands, utilities, roads, or streams. Using water balance calculations for 10 years of simulated climate data, the potential amount of water harvested at each site was determined. Using water harvesting potential, location, and negative impacts of a pond at a specific site as criteria, nine sites were ranked as most desirable.