TITLE:
Grayscale Mapping of Historically Irrigated LandsUsing GIS
AUTHORS:
Thomas C. Turney
KEYWORDS:
GIS; Geo-Referencing; Images; Water Rights; Irrigation; Area Computations; Grayscale Mapping
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Geographic Information System,
Vol.4 No.1,
January
17,
2012
ABSTRACT: This document describes the use of grayscale mapping and GIS for identification of historical irrigated lands. Historical irrigated lands form the basis for water rights—a private property right in New Mexico that is bought and sold on the open market. Identification of irrigated land on historical photography is both a science and an art. Grayscale mapping of historic black and white photographs can aid in the identification of irrigated lands. GIS allows historical images to be geo-referenced and area computations to be performed on polygons that define the irrigated lands.