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What is the difference between a sink and a pit?

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10-25-2023 01:08 PM
Faiez
by
Frequent Contributor

Hi!

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

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Best,

Faiez

 

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3 Replies
DanPatterson
MVP Esteemed Contributor
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Faiez
by
Frequent Contributor

Hi Dan!

Thank you so much.

Best,

Faiez

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Faiez
by
Frequent Contributor

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.

 

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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.

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Flow Direction

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

 

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

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Best,

Faiez

 

 

 

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