Estimating the Total Volume of Running Water Bodies Using Geographic Information System (GIS): A Case Study of Peshawar Basin (Pakistan)

Abstract

The main objective of this study is to estimate the changes in land use and land cover in the Peshawar basin, Pakistan, from 2000 to 2020. This will greatly improve the selection of areas designated as the agricultural, industrial, and/or urban sectors of the region and will help in overcoming future problems. With the help of an advanced geographic information system (GIS), land-use and topographic changes were identified. Based on data of the 20 years from 2000 to 2020, the total runoff volume in the Peshawar basin from 2000 to 2010 was calculated to be 13.9 km3 and from 2010 to 2020 was 19.4 km3. This volume estimation will assist in quantifying the total infiltration rate. We inferred that the built-up area increased the most from 2010 to 2020 as compared to other classes. Results showed that from 2000 to 2020, there was a significant increase in urbanization and a significant decrease in vegetation. This study will help the farmer community and environmentalists to manage range land, agricultural land, populations, and water bodies.