RADARSAT-1 AND LANDSAT CONTRIBUTION FOR THE SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT OF GROUNDWATER RESOURCES

This development project was initiated by Tecsult with the support of the Geological Survey of Canada, as part of the Earth Observation Applications Development Program (EOADP) of the Canadian Space Agency (CSA). It consists in evaluating the usefulness of RADARSAT-1 and Landsat imagery as an input to groundwater resource characterization and management projects. The study area is located in the south-eastern New Brunswick, including parts of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. It covers approximately 15 000 km2.

The assessment of groundwater resources is an issue of great importance in Canada and around the world. As freshwater is becoming progressively more in demand, it is necessary to develop new tools to assist hydrogeologists and decision-makers in their work.

In this context, the use of satellite images and geomatics technologies, like Geographic Information Systems (GIS), facilitates the mapping and analysis of natural resources as well as data acquisition, monitoring, integration and interpretation. Since satellite images have been proven to be very useful to provide vegetation maps, we are now trying to identify other usage for groundwater characterization purposes in temperate climatic regime. Potential contribution can be made to revise land-use maps, update regional bedrock structure, and refine Quaternary deposit maps. This thematic information provides extra data layers and might contributes to the understanding of aquifer recharge and groundwater flow dynamics.