Using ArcGIS to find a place for a reservoir

[SimonStock]

Hi,

I'm a student and was asked to use ArcGIS and SRTM Data to find a good place for a hydroelectricity power station and the associated reservoir. I know how to calculate the volume of an exisiting reservoir but I really have no clue how to find a perfect place for a new one. I think it should have a large watershed but how do I calculate that?

Thanks,

Simon

[DuncanHornby]

Simon,

Have you tried looking at the Help in ArcMap, at some point you are going to have to...

There is lots of information about creating watershed boundaries.

Duncan

[curtvprice]

The usually way to do this kind of modeling is to optimize multiple factors, for example: distance to population centers, existing power lines, streamflow, basin area, minimal environmental cost, etc. Using the hydrology tools to find basin area would be a start, but other data layers would help as well. Be creative!

[RamB]

hi,

this subject falls in the category of site suitability analysis. The usual procedure is through raster analysis tools. Previously it was a multistep procedure like this . But now arcgis has some inbuilt tools that do the above task , look here

so first step is to discuss the selection criteria with domain experts, then collect the required data and follow the procedure above.

Hope this helps,
regards,