| The primary objective of this research is the development of a comprehensive, geospatial information system utilizing digital spatial datasets and technologies for the purpose of modeling potential municipal water supply reservoir sites across the State of North Carolina. To achieve this primary goal, a computational information system, NCResSys, has been designed by applying principles of software engineering, hydrology, and computational geography to conduct hydrologic and terrain analysis across the State in a spatially-explicit, Geographic Information System (GIS) environment. Potential reservoir sites are assessed based on the locational characteristics of physical storage and capacity. The terrain analysis component of this research examines the physical landscape of water storage capacity through a series of recursive algorithms for processing high-volume LiDAR DEM data. This research combines approaches from multiple disciplines in a computational environment to contribute value-added support to the decision-making process for public water supply planning, development, and management. |
