What is the difference between a sink and a pit?

Faiez — Wed, 25 Oct 2023 20:10:05 GMT

Hi!

What is a sink in DEM and a pit in GIS?

Best,

Faiez

Re: What is the difference between a sink and a pit?

DanPatterson — Wed, 25 Oct 2023 20:41:44 GMT

GIS Dictionary (esri.com) : pit

GIS Dictionary (esri.com) : sink

Re: What is the difference between a sink and a pit?

Faiez — Wed, 25 Oct 2023 21:13:55 GMT

Hi Dan!

Thank you so much.

Best,

Faiez

Re: What is the difference between a sink and a pit?

Faiez — Wed, 15 Nov 2023 15:31:37 GMT

Hi All!

With deepest respect to Dan's references regarding the sink and pit meaning in DEM analysis, I would like to add the followings points to make it much simple.

1. A sink in Digital Elevation Model is a cell where the adjacent cells is higher or we can say that a cell with long cells on both sides which means that the cells does not drain on the edge of grid and it should be filled before conducting any kind of hydrology analysis. Please see below the ESRI illustration.

How sink works?

The Esri GIS Dictionary description of sink is focusing more on the flow direction of cells rather than on the cell description and situation.

Flow Direction

2. Pit is a type of depression in the earth's surface that has slightly low area in the earth's surface.

I think pit is different from sink and sink is not a peak.

Best,

Faiez

topic What is the difference between a sink and a pit? in GIS Life Discussions

What is the difference between a sink and a pit?

Re: What is the difference between a sink and a pit?

Re: What is the difference between a sink and a pit?

Re: What is the difference between a sink and a pit?