Georeferencing of Scanned Aerial Imagery and Change Detection

Case Study: Welland Canal 1921-2003

12/13/2012 Bennett White

104 Selgrove Crescent, Oakville, ON, L6L1L3

Contents
1.0 1.1 2.0 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 6.0 7.0 8.0 9.0 Introduction .......................................................................................................................... 2 Purpose................................................................................................................................. 2 Data Acquisition .................................................................................................................. 3 Aerial Image Interpretation .................................................................................................. 3 Status of Canal Four in 1934 ............................................................................................... 4 Feature A; Excavated Area of Soil ...................................................................................... 5 Feature B: Rail Road- Train ................................................................................................. 7 Feature C: Stagnate Body of water ...................................................................................... 9 Canal History ..................................................................................................................... 14 Canal Status [1921] ............................................................................................................ 14 1st Canal ............................................................................................................................. 15 2nd Canal ........................................................................................................................... 15 3rd Canal ............................................................................................................................ 15 Fourth Canal....................................................................................................................... 15 Canal Status in 2003 .......................................................................................................... 16 Canal 1 ............................................................................................................................... 16 Canal 2 ............................................................................................................................... 17 Canal 3 ............................................................................................................................... 17 Canal 4 ............................................................................................................................... 18 Temporal Analysis: Change Detection .............................................................................. 20 Fuller Plan .......................................................................................................................... 22 Temporal Analysis: Feature A ........................................................................................... 24 Georeferncing .................................................................................................................... 25

10.0 Methodology ...................................................................................................................... 26 11.0 1934 Aerial Images ............................................................................................................ 28 12.0 1921 Aerial Images ............................................................................................................ 29 13.0 Conclusion ......................................................................................................................... 29 14.0 Bibliography: ..................................................................................................................... 30 Appendix:...................................................................................................................................... 31 Georeferenced Maps: .................................................................................................................... 31

104 Selgrove Crescent, Oakville, ON, L6L1L3

1.0 Introduction
As land use change becomes more apparent, in result of the economic and human growth, other areas of society are having more pressure exhibited on these areas. This places considerable pressure on the environment; natural environment and hydrological systems. We as human beings have an obligation to protect our natural resources for future generations. The use of examining land change from the air was originally used for military purposes, but has evolved to a level where the public has the advantage in using georeference aerial images to assess environmental quality from comparing spatial area land use changes over a temporal period. As the sectors of GIS and cartography have become more apparent in the past decades, there is a strong desire to survey and produce coordinate systems that have spatial reference points/areas for the examination of land use changes. Countries and corporations have taken advantage of this technology and are constantly producing different projections of locations on the earth surface, and in some cases developing projection concentrated on individual nations. Aerial images have been continuously produced since the early 1990s, when they were initially used for military purpose, but like most technology the public sector has been able to obtain these high end technologies. In response to the public having access to remote sensing technology, more changes in land use have been detected which has resulted in accurate and consistent monitoring of land use changes.

1.1 Purpose
This report offers insight pertaining to the importance of land use change detection by way of remote sensing software, which this report will focus on using ESRIs ArcGIS software program and the programs georeferencing application components. As this software program has become well recognized and used globally, it is vital that the students/users in the GIS- geospatial management post graduate program at Niagara College Canada develop considerable knowledge of the benefits that are obtained from using ArcGIS. This report examines a series of old images depicting the Glendale Area in St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada that have been georeferenced to modern satellite images of the study area. The acquired old images provide a background understanding of the temporal changes that have occurred in the study areas over the number of decades it took for the Welland Canal construction to be completed. When examining temporal change, it is important to identify control points or unique land use features that act as point to accurately overlay old images with new ones.

104 Selgrove Crescent, Oakville, ON, L6L1L3

2.0 Data Acquisition

All of the images used for this deliverable have been acquired from Niagara College Canada network server [:\x-drive-GIS Resources\ First Semester\ GISC9231 - Introduction to Remote Sensing\ Assignment 3]. The images are is stored as Tiff files; version 6.0 with 0-255 grey scale. Three images other images are required for 1934 and four additional images are needed for 1921, that can be examined in Appendix A.
1934 1921 A4873_19, A4873_20 H20-1, H20-2, H22-25 & A4873_21 & H22-91
Table 1: Niagara College Canada obtained Tiff files

One IKONOS image will be used to reference the grey scale images that have already been georeferenced by way of Space Imaging Inc. The IKONOS image is a multispectral image, with bands set as 1: blue, 2: green, 3: red, 4: near infra-red, with the available raster data projected to UTM NAD 83, Zone 17N. This image can be observed in Appendix A under "Study Area: Glendale; IKONOS 2000.

3.0 Aerial Image Interpretation

The provided aerial images from 1934 (from Appendix A: A4873_19, A4872_20 and A4873_21) were analysed in this section by examining specified unique features outlined in Figure 1(Niagara College Canada\:x).

Figure 1: Unique Features of canal Three and Four of the Welland Canal, 1934 Imagery

104 Selgrove Crescent, Oakville, ON, L6L1L3

3.1 Status of Canal Four in 1934

By observing that the locks of the canal were filled with water in 1934 it was establish that this canal was the only operational canal. Research was conducted using Niagara Navigator to provide evidence that the 3rd Welland Canal was decommissioned and traffic ceased on the 2nd and Feeder Canals, as well, making the 4th Canal the only means of water way access for ships at the time of 1934. From accessing imagery from the Welland Library (Figure 2 and 3), it was identified that ships were passing through the locks in Canal 4 in 1934, supporting my statement that the canal was operation during this year.

Figure 2 - Welland Canal waterway 1 [1930's]

Figure 3 - Ship exiting a lock 2 of Canal Path 4 in 1934

Further research conducted with Niagara Navigator identifies a barrier at the access point of the 3rd canal to the fourth canal (Figure 4: Red Outline) which is acting as a reservoir area for excess water from canal 4, making it unusable and decommission out of service.

104 Selgrove Crescent, Oakville, ON, L6L1L3

Figure 4

Additional research was conducted through the Welland Library website, where it was explained that much of Canal 1 was drained and is now used for housing purposes in the city of St. Catherines, while the further down what was once canal 1 and 2, the development of the Royal Niagara Henley was constructed for rowing purposes, due to its long and narrow shape, optimal for the recreational activity of rowing.

3.2 Feature A; Excavated Area of Soil

Referring the image A4873-20 [1934], the wedge shape formation at location A appears (Figure 5) to be an excavated area of dirt, soil the result of leftover by-products from the construction and dredging phases of the fourth Canal. Feature A can be correctly identified using a locational method of referring to seven elements of visual representation (Table 2).

Figure 5: Excavated Area- Wide view

104 Selgrove Crescent, Oakville, ON, L6L1L3

Tone

Shape

Size

Pattern

Texture

Shadow

Association

Mixture between dark toned patches and the light sporadically situation patches of white tone indicate that this area consist of a variety of material. The distribution of tone throughout the wedge shape illustrates that this area could be an unplanned area, possibly construction related and the varying tone differentiation are construction materials. There is a path that is bright in tone which divides sections from one another (Figure 6). The figure in question is a wedge shape that is made up of multiple triangle features that are separated from one another within the larger area, by a linear path that has created zones within the larger picture. The triangular shapes look to be separated from one another by a linear line (white line) that separates the individual triangular sections within the larger wedge shape. The size of the wedge feature is large enough to be a size where the excess material from the construction of the locks in Canal four (4) might have been dumped. The size of the location and the size of the separated sections, provides some evidence that this area is a dumping ground. The smaller triangular shapes are divided for a reason that could possibly be a separation of materials. The form the larger wedge shape but the positioning of these areas is strictly strategic. I believe that the pattern has occurred for a reason of dumping material waste that has been produced. The texture provides some detail to the material that has been placed within this dumping zone. The texture indicates that the material is coarse being placed in this region is construction material, since a natural feature such as broad leafs from a coniferous tree, would not have the same coarse texture that this particular material seems to have. There are a few areas of shadows that I would assume would be created from an elevated surface. The areas on the linear side of the smaller triangles have produced a shadow which I assume would be a because there has been a accumulation of construction material at this point. The angle which the sun and the plane were at this period in time have resulting in the shadows produced off of the elevated surface of the construction material. The relative location of this wedge shape in proximity to the locks of Canal four(4) help to support that this is a material waste dumping site. Its proximity to the construction area help to support my hypothesis that this is a construction site since waste material would be stored in this area beside the construction zone and then transported to a proper disposal site in the near future. 6

Table 2: Feature A

104 Selgrove Crescent, Oakville, ON, L6L1L3

Figure 6: Excavated Area

The proximity of the wedge shape to the construction site of the locks for Canal four(4) are a key factor in why I think that this region is waste management/dumping site for the construction of the locks. The large shape of the site and the particular separations that produce distinct separations in the site are the separation of construction material. Having all construction material places in one large region would not be wise since steel, rock and clay in the end are sent to difference land fill sites. Some of the material must be natural while others must be concrete and need to be disposed of correctly. Having provided a concise understanding and supporting points to my hypothesis, I stand ground and conclude that this is in fact a dump site for waste material produced from the construction site.

3.3 Feature B: Rail Road- Train

Referring to image A4873-20 (1934), the linear feature at location B in figure 6 has been identified as a trail railroad ( Figure 7) . This result was obtained by referring to the seven elements of visual representation with an emphasis on the linear shape of the feature

Figure 7

104 Selgrove Crescent, Oakville, ON, L6L1L3

Tone

The top of the feature from the aerial photo looks to be dark in the middle and then lighter on the outside portion of the feature. I would assume that the darker region would indicate a decent into the ground while the lighter portions of this feature would be the surface. The depth of the figure might indicate that it is a channel that might act as a means of transporting something.

The shape of the feature is a linear and does not have any significant sharp turns (Feature 8). It looks to be a tube which acts as a transportation route for the disposal of material or the brining of material from one point to another, near the locks of canal four (4). The tube shape makes me believe that it could be a train track that flows through the area transporting materials to the two canals in the region. Size The size of the feature indicates that it is narrow in width but large in length. The length of this feature indicates that there is a large purpose for it and this could be because it is used as a transportation route. The width for this feature would only need to be wide enough in order to support the width of a train. Pattern The pattern of this feature indicates that is a feature which is several feet into the earth surface. This feature in linear with no drastic adjustments within the construction of the rail way. Texture There is not much variation in the texture of the railway/trench. Maximizing the possible distance travelled, would be sufficient for the tracks to be places east and west and not north to south. The consistent texture of this feature indicates that it is a single feature and not multiple small ones. The upper portion of the tube looks to be concrete but the material that makes up the trench is not known in result of the shadow over of this area. Shadow As shadow is produced on the north side of the figure at the time the aerial photo was taken. The shadow might not be a shadow but with the lighter portion being the top of the channel this identifies that the area is below the surface. The trench produces a shadow on the upper portion that illuminates the concrete material at the point when the sun appears and illuminates the upper edge of the channel. Association The figure in question is a train track that is used to transport material east to west. Its proximity to the canal makes it evident that this is a means of transportation. The point at which this feature reaches the third (3th) canal, the tunnel goes underground going under the canal and also the same occurs when the track/trench reaches the fourth (4th) canal. The features proximity to the canals strengthens the argument that this is a means of transporting material to and from the canal region. Shape
Table 3: Feature B: Rail Road

The shape of the feature resembles a road system but the shadow that is produced suggests that the feature is below the surface. The path travels under a water way which suggests that the 8

104 Selgrove Crescent, Oakville, ON, L6L1L3 railroad is used to transport goods, material and labour, between the locks during the construction phases of the canal (Figure 9).

Figure 8: Linear Path

Figure 9: Railroad Path Under water way

3.4 Feature C: Stagnate Body of water

Referring to image A4870-20 (1934), feature C appears to be a stagnate body of water a byproduct of the construction phase of the fourth Canal, of the Welland Canal water ways network. This was identified by referring to the seven visual representation elements (Figure 10).

Figure 10: Feature C: Stagnate Body of Water

Tone

The tone of the features is quiet dark and looks to be because of its surface 9

104 Selgrove Crescent, Oakville, ON, L6L1L3 area. The area which surrounds the feature in question has a consistent bright tone which looks to be vegetation that surrounds the perimeter of the feature. The dark tone I would hypothesis would be water which is situated in a pond. I would suggest that this is a shallow pond which might be have an algae problem since the surface of the pond is dark in tone which is not consistent with the water bodies of the canal in the same region. But I would suggest that this pond could be stagnate and has been influenced by a nutrient influx into the aquatic ecosystem. The features shape does not have any characteristics of being a planned or constructed feature that was created by human beings. In this regard I would suggest that this is a natural feature which has been created through a natural process or an overall purpose of storing water within this region. I suspect that this feature is a pond that has been developed from the excess flow of water because at the top of the pond looks to be an inlet or an access point for water to flow into this pond from. The size of the feature large and looks to be a pond that was been created for use as a reservoir for the storing of water that has drained from the canal or which might be used to irrigate the field that is directly west of this feature. There is not much pattern to the pond in question. There is a pattern of vegetation surrounding the banks of the pond but other than that the water of the pond has a consistent pattern throughout the entire feature. This pond in question has a consistent texture that is uniform throughout the entire feature. The surrounding vegetative surfaces have a consistent texture that is consistent with vegetative surface surrounding ponds, which is that the vegetative surfaces like to be situated as close to the banks of the water body so that there moisture content in the soil is at a high level, in the hope of establishing fertile soil in this particular region. The texture of the aerial photograph is limited and cannot fully help to provide evidence that this is in fact a pond. The feature/pond in question does not have any evidence of shadows protruding from it or covering. The pond is directly situated at the southern location of what seems to be a small river/stream system that seems to be the outflow of water from the Fourth Canal near the bridge that connects Glendale avenue over the canal. This is the strongest evidence which would suggest that the pond feature is the result of excess water flow from the canal. The red portion which I have highlighted on the picture of the pond in question above identifies where there seems to be stream which is the outflow point of a smaller pond area. The only suggestion I have to this pond is that it is situated on the high point of the river system and that it should be flowing the opposite directions and in fact should not be a reservoir.

Shape

Size

Pattern

Texture

Shadow Association

Table 4: Stagnate Body of Water

10

104 Selgrove Crescent, Oakville, ON, L6L1L3

Figure 11: Stream Access point to water body

This is in fact a pond that was developed during the construction phase of the canal. It looks to have been developed from the by a stream system that is connected to a channel that originates off of the fourth Canal (Figure 11). Although the water content of this pond seems to be inconsistent with the tone of the water in the canal it is suggested that this pond is stagnate and in result of the lack of flowing water, an algae event has developed which accounts for the dark tone on the surface of the pond. The surrounding light tone suggests that there is a vegetative surface surrounding the perimeter of the pond. The elements which I have addressed above provide critical evidence to why this is a pond and nothing else.

3.5 Feature E; Old Farm

Referring to image A4873-20 (1934), Feature E (Figure 12) is an old farm field that was once used to produce crops but was acquired by the construction firm during the construction of the canal, then resold again for the hope that it would be restored to its pre-construction agriculture level. This result was established by referring to the seven elements of visual representation.

11

104 Selgrove Crescent, Oakville, ON, L6L1L3

Figure 12: Feature E; Old Farm Area

Tone

There are multiple surfaces within this feature that have varying tones. The brighter the tone the less vegetative it could be and the darker the tone, the more possibility that it could be a broad leafed vegetative feature. In this regard the differing tones suggest that this is farm land/irrigative area/ crop. Shape The shape of this feature is quiet large which suggest that it is used for farming or mineral extraction. There are multiple fields that make up this larger feature. The shape looks like it was used for agriculture at one point but could have been used for another means during the construction of the canal at that point in time. Size The size of the feature indicates that there is/was agricultural activity undertaken in the area. Pattern The pattern of the crop fields suggest that this is farm land with the varying lines acting as boundaries for the different crops being harvested. There are also pattern areas which look to be stream formations (Picture 1: red box). These patterns suggest that at one point this could have been agricultural land but is not anymore, for one reason or another. Texture The texture of the feature is inconsistent indicating that there are multiple features that make up the entire larger picture of this feature. There are then in fact multiple different surface present in this feature. I suggest that the texture alone indictes that there was once farm activity conducted on this land but changed when the canal construction started. There are patches in the land that are streams, which should not be present in an active farm land. Shadow No shadows are present in this feature that would provide supporting evidence to conduct that this was once farm land. The lack of a shadow suggests that this could be a field of crops, since most crops do not have consistently tall height stands. Much of the crops of this mineral extracted land must be bare or the vegetative surface is close to the ground. Association This areas proximity to the canal and the stream which surrounds the east side of this figure, would suggest that with the number of water sources that this in fact would be a agricultural field, that was once fertile. With the stream present in the feature and its connection to the pond, that is east of the feature, used as a flood plain during the construction period of canal four. After the construction of the locks, this land might have been sold back to the farm owner who could not restore 12

104 Selgrove Crescent, Oakville, ON, L6L1L3 it to its quality it was before the construction of the canal and its subsequent flooding.
Table 5: Feature E; elements of visual representation

Picture 1 Figure E

This feature was once a farm land that could harvest yields of different crops, in part due to the proximity to the river and also the boundaries created to separate the various crops. At the time of the construction of canal four I hypothesize that the owner of the farm land sold it to the construction company of the canal, for them to use it as a flood plain when excess water was needed to be extracted from the construction site. After the construction of the canal, the land was then sold, and an attempt to restore this area to farm land was undertaken, but ultimately failed. The area failed to be restored because it was still a flood plain, with small streams present in the area. The streams point of access is north of the farm land and continues through the area until it reaches the small pond east of the farm land. With water still present the soils saturation level was far too high and unable to attain a level of nutrients to make the soil fertile enough for crops to be produced. There are additional associated features that indicate that this was an important area during the construction phase of canal 4. The railroad to the south of the feature and the old road network, suggest that material was carried out from this region. \

13

104 Selgrove Crescent, Oakville, ON, L6L1L3

4.0 Canal History

The Niagara region is a vital component of the shipping industry in Southern Ontario and within the greater context of North America. Since the 1700s this water way has been an access point for ships traveling between Lake Ontario, Lake Erie and the rest of the other great lakes. This region was a central point of the battles fought during the War of 1812, and later was a key shipping route of goods from Europe to the settlements on the shores of the Great Lakes. As technology progressed through out modern society and the desire of goods to be transported between the Great Lakes, in large scale transportation it was necessary for a canal to be constructed which is where the development of the Welland Canal stemmed from. During its existence there have been four constructed paths that have been operational at one point.

Figure 13- Map illustrating all 4 Canal Paths (Marshal, 2010)

Referring to Figure 13, each point is a lock and each colour represents a different path that has been used for ship travel from 1829 to the fourth canal operation in 1932(Westwater, 2010). All of the four paths are different in their own manner by depth, length and number of lock to accommodate the growth in the shipping industry during the course of naval shipping throughout the Great Lakes.

4.1 Canal Status [1921]

Utilizing the images Aerial Images from 1921 (H20-1, H20-2, H22-25, H22-91) and previous research completed pertaining to the canals, their operational status can be obtained.

14

104 Selgrove Crescent, Oakville, ON, L6L1L3

4.2 1st Canal

This canal is not observational from the provided aerial images, but the results to the status of the canal can be collected by the status of Canal 3 and further research conducted to fill the gap in knowledge. This canal was closed due to a lack of maintenance provide to the area. Further research from the Welland Library website indicate that the Canadian Federal Government in 1841 bought the canal in order to provide funding to increase the size which would allow lager ships to path through, which would also mean that more goods would flow through the region, increasing its economy.

The second canal is an extension of the first that essentially just made the 1st canal longer. This was necessary with the increase of the shipping industry in 1841 (Marshall, 2010). The upgrade made to the canal transformed it into an industrial coordinator that was operational up until 1915 (Westwater, 2010). Following 1915 the government dropped out ownership of the canal which resulting in no maintenance being performed and in result in the canal not being operational in 1921, due to a lack of maintenance.

4.3 2nd Canal

4.4 3rd Canal

This is the current path which is used to transport good through the Niagara region in 1921. Since the construction of the 4th canal did not finish until 1923, the third canal would have had to be operational in 1921.

At the point in 1921, there is still barren soil adjacent to the construction site of the 4th canal lock system, and with a lack of water present in the aerial photo, this would conclude that it is not operational in 1921. If it were not for World War 1 there might have been the resources needed to complete the construction of this canal, but much of the labour and resources were allocated to fighting the war (Marshall, 2010). The fourth and current canal commenced construction in 1913 and was not completed until 1934, which is when it became the only operating canal. Having georeference four scanned aerial images for 1921 (H20-1, H20-2, H22-25 and H22-91) over a IKONOS image of current status of the Welland canal (projected to UTM NAD 83, zone 17N) for the part D question D for this deliverable; I have been able to compare what the construction status of the fourth canal was in 1921, to its current status (Figure 14).

4.5 Fourth Canal

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104 Selgrove Crescent, Oakville, ON, L6L1L3

Figure 14: Georeference of 1921 and 2003 IKONOS

In 1921 the status of the 4th canal was not operational as one can see from the yellow box that outlines the construction site of the 4th canal. East of that construction site, is the third canal that was operational in 1921. It is noted that once the fourth canal was completed in 1934 that the third canal was then decommissioned. In reference to the geo-referenced figure above, the third canal was the main operating canal at this time. At the end of the construction of the third Welland canal, the Feeder Clan was no longer required as a water source, but was converted as a way for ships to bring goods, so in essence it is operational in some capacity that it is still being used for commercial purposes, but not to the same degree it had been used at in the past.

5.0 Canal Status in 2003

By using the 2005 Satellite Imagery (IKONOS) and having conducted additional historical reach regarding the paths, the operational status of each of the canals are known.

5.1 Canal 1
This waterway is not observable from the provided IKONOS image, but through further research the beginning points and other areas of the waterway can be observed. Although points of the waterway could be seen, today this is not the case (Figure 15). Since the 1921 the structure of the canal has changes and boats are no longer able to travel through the area.

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104 Selgrove Crescent, Oakville, ON, L6L1L3

Figure 15 Two images of the First Welland Canal in the 21st Century (Westwater)

5.2 Canal 2
There has been a sign cant change in land use in the general area that was once Canal 2. What was once a canal waterway is not the entrance of Port Halhousi which is still intact but the remaining components of the channel have been destroyed of time and are not covered by overgrowth ( Westwater, 2010).

Figure 16: Current Status of Canal Two

5.3 Canal 3
This Canal has experienced a signification change in the area which has been overrun with vegetation from the lack of maintenance provided to the area. There is still a small channel which is left over from the years that the canal was operational and the reason for this is that it acts as a means of relieving canal 4 of excess water, following extensive rainfall or by a the presence of a large ship (Figure 17).

17

104 Selgrove Crescent, Oakville, ON, L6L1L3

Figure 17- 3rd Welland Canal in the present time

5.4 Canal 4
The fourth canal was the only operating canal at this point in time. The other canals had been decommissioned following the completion of the Welland canal in 1932. Having georeferenced the IKONOS image with that of the 1934 image, the status of the 4th canal is well documented of being constructed at the time the aerial photograph was taken in 1934. The channel is operational at this point in time, which is supported by a cargo ship in the IKONOS images (Figure 18).

Figure 18 Cargo Ship travelling through the 4th Welland Canal

To the best of my knowledge there had been a scheduled 5th canal that had started to be constructed in the 1950s, but later the construction was halted and ultimately the 5th canal was never developed. A 13.4km bypass canal in Welland (Figure 19), was constructed and opened in 1973 which was an original part of the design of the 5th canal, which is still present to this day (Figure 20).

18

104 Selgrove Crescent, Oakville, ON, L6L1L3

Figure 20: Visible Fourth Canal

Figure 19: Planned 5th Canal

19

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6.0 Temporal Analysis: Change Detection

Table A Change Detection of Locks 11 through 24 from 1934 to 2003 Visibility Status Comment Visibility Status Lock 1934 2003 Numbers Visible The lock is in good 11 physical condition and Partially Visible intact, but channel areas are flooded Partially Visible 12 Intact from straight edges but channel areas are Partially Visible flooded 13 Visible Physically Intact from straight edges but requires maintenance Comment Constructed boundaries intact by straight edges but is flooded with water Constructed area still intact by straight edges but flooded with water Constructed area are intact by straight edges but a four lane bridge intersects the lock at the northern section and no locking mechanism in place Constructed area is still intact by straight edges but appears to be flooded and no locking mechanism in place Constructed boundary is still intact by straight edges but no locking mechanism in place; channels north and south of the lock are heavily eroded Constructed area is still intact by straight edges but is flooded; Channels to the North and South are heavily eroded Constructed area is still intact still show straight edges but has now been overrun by vegetation from the lack of maintenance Constructed area is still intact by representation of

Partially Visible

14

Visible Constructed area is intact evident from the straight edges but requires maintenance Partially Visible

15

Visible Constructed area is still intact from straight edges but requires maintenance

Partially Visible

16

Visible Constructed area is still intact from straight edges but requires maintenance Partially Visible

17

Visible Constructed area is still intact from straight edge boundary but requires maintenance Partially Visible

18

Visible

Constructed area is still intact and defined by the straight edged boundaries

Partially Visible

20

104 Selgrove Crescent, Oakville, ON, L6L1L3

but requires maintenance straight edges but has now been overrgrown by vegetation from the lack of maintenance The lock has been modified too better determine if there was one in place at one point in time. The east edge still contains a straight edge but the west edge is eroded and over grown by vegetation Constructed area is still intact completely submerged by the reservoir added to avoid in flooding and control the excess water in Canal 4 Constructed area is still intact but the locks are not observable; appears just as an outline of an old section Constructed area is still intact but the Southern side is blocked off by vegetation and is modified to a different path Appears as a manmade channel for Canal waterway 4 overflow into the reservoir Appears as a manmade channel for Canal waterway 4 overflow into the reservoir

19

Partly Visible

Three waterway intersect at this location with waterway 4. A big reservoir area is created to control the high instability of the water; waterway 3 is used to control overflow. A narrow straight edged path can be observed that connects to the reservoir

Not Visible

20

Not Visible Is fully submerged with water from the inputted man-made reservoir

Not Visible

21

Partly Visible

Somewhat intact as a leftover piece from waterway path 3 by its defined boundary; but not navigable since the following chamber appears to be part of the reservoir Edges are still intact by straight lines; the connecting chamber to lock 23 appears to be drained

Partially Visible

22

Visible

Partially visible

23

Not Visible Cannot be observed by the Aerial photos analyzed Not Visible

24

Not Visible Cannot be observed on the Aerial photos analyzed Not Visible

Table A: Temporal Change 21

104 Selgrove Crescent, Oakville, ON, L6L1L3

As there were 40 wooden locks in the first canal, the second and third waterways were built with limestone and can still be observed to this day. Currently the fourth canal is in use; which changed the usage for the 3rd canal. Since they run adjacently to each other; Canal 3 changed from 1934 to 2003 from being somewhat navigable by 26 locks to almost a natural flowing river besides the obvious limestone walls of the previous locks. This waterway is now used as a runoff path to relieve any excess water that will flood the main canal (4th) in use today. The first canals locks were constructed out of 40 wooden lock but when it came time to building the second and third canal the construction material of the locks was changed to limestone that is still visible today. From 1934 to 2003 the water movement of the 3rd canal changed drastically from a navigable water way to a natural flowing river. Presently the 3rd canal is used to guide excess water away from the main canal.

7.0 Fuller Plan

The fuller plan was supposed to be a residential subdivision that was intended to revitalize the area, which is identified in in Figure 21. This area of interest was never fully developed after the plan was devised in the early 1900s was closed that can be identified through the temporal analysis conducted in figures 18-20.

Figure 21Fuller Plan Area of Planed Construction

In figure 21 it is noticeable that when the aerial photography was taken in 1921, the land in question comprised of agricultural land use. The identifiable road network which is the bright linear lines and the strategic place trees with developed orchards in the area, in addition to the maintained buildings in the area. The area in question has a network of accessible roads that are connected to the buildings, in addition to a well maintained irrigated land area and/or orchard. 22

104 Selgrove Crescent, Oakville, ON, L6L1L3 The roads are accessible from the buildings, in addition to the well managed and well maintained irrigated that can notice from the tone and texture which is greatly different compared to the surrounding regions (Figure 22).

Figure 22: Fuller Plan in 1934

An IKONOS image from 2003 is provide of the Fuller area (Figure 23), that provides some evidence that the area has been neglected with the presence of overgrown vegetated area. There is no means of a planned area, which indicated that this is a naturally overgrown area over the duration time of the aerial imagery provided. With the amount of detail that is provided by the IKONOs image, it is difficult to identify this area anything but forest area.

Figure 23: Fuller Plan in 2003

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8.0 Temporal Analysis: Feature A

From the examined wedge feature that was previously examined in an early section (figure 24), we are able to identify the temporal analysis that from 1921 to 1934. It was stated that feature A was an old excavated area of soil, from the construction phase of the 4th Welland Canal.

Figure 24: Feature A

For this particular question figure 22 and figure 23 have been examined to identify the temporal analysis of this particular feature. By examining the tone of the features provides detailed information pertaining to how the feature has changed over the course of time from 1921 to 1934. The 1921 image illustrates the development of the material waste area that is used to store the excess material taken from the construction of the canal system. At the northern side of this feature, there is the adjacent railway that brings in the waste material from the construction sites. There is a significant pit in this area which funnels the excavated material into it when disposed from the trains (Figure 25- Yellow outline). In the 1934 imagery, the area which was used in 1921 for the disposal of material from the trains is relieved in order to accompany more waste material in this specific area. In 1934 the waste area was constructed into a well-managed waste area which is identified by the linear sections created for housing the waste material, which was also explained in the earlier section that looked at this particular feature. Throughout the construction phase from 1921 to 1934, this area was used as a waste management area for the left over debris for the fourth Canal Waterway (Figure 26).

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Figure 25: Feature A 1921

Figure 26: Feature A: 1934

9.0 Georeferncing
Georeferncing describes the process of locating an entity in real world coordinates. For example, you would georeference your house by determining its latitude and longitude coordinates (USEPA). Aerial photos have the tendency to distort imagery which is why identifying an appropriate coordinate framework for referencing location of real world objects is necessary (Figure 27).

Figure 27: various Map Projections

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104 Selgrove Crescent, Oakville, ON, L6L1L3 Certain locations on the worlds surface have specific projections which are based on their position of the earths surface, their size and the horizontal and vertical shape of these locations. Throughout this report the area of focus has been the Welland Canal, located in St. Catherines, Ontario Canada, and by examining images over a period of decades the user has the ability to correlate the observed spatial and temporal changes that have been presented.

10.0 Methodology
The user was provided Aerial photographs of the Welland Canal where it intersects Glendale St. (figure 28), but unfortunately these images were not georeference. A IKONOS image [Glendale_IKONOS.tif] was provide with a multispectral 1-4 radial band configuration that was produced by Space Imaging Inc., projected on a universal transverse mercator (UTM) coordinate system; North America 1983, Zone 17 (figure 28), which is the identified projection for this part of the globe.

Figure 28- UTM NAD 83 Zone 17N

The purpose of this report was to provide a spatial and temporal analysis of certain sections of the Welland Canal that were situated in the region of St. Catherines, Glendale and Welland, but for this to be accomplished the user required is required to provide a spatial reference for this area, so that the multiple images provide can be assessed on an equal projection, providing a equal basis for spatial referencing. If there are different projects defined for multiple images being examined, the spatial referencing will be incorrect. For spatial referencing to be accomplished the user should attain the application tools provided by ArcGIS v10, specifically the Georeferncing application within the program. This application tool changes the unknown spatial reference to a projected coordinate system by referencing unique but similar features on each image to create an overlay projected image, which in this case study was the IKONOS multispectral image. The georeference tool car display two images overlaying one another, one being the IKONOS image which a multispectral radial band to distinguish unique features n the earth surface within the study area. Figure 29 illustrates the process of attaining and establishing the overlay of images. 26

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Figure 29: Georeferencing

Selecting the image with no referencing point is the initial step, followed by adding control points onto the image which will act as a reference point when applying these control points onto the second image which is referenced which is the IKONOS image. Fiure30 provides a screen shot illustration of the georeferencing process that is undertaken by using ArcGIS v. 10. There are two processes that can be under taken when georeferencing. The first process would be to over lay the images over one another with the IKONOS image being on the bottom and acting as the reference point, while the other image is rotated to establish a correct overlay. This can be done by using the Fit to Display tool option to rotate, scale and shift the image as the user sees fit (Figure 30- Left). Changing the transparency option of the top image will help for the unique features on the IKONOS to be seen. The second available option for georeferencing is to view the images side by side which will allow the user to see the images at the same time in their original state with no alterations being made (Figure 30- Right).

Figure 30: Two Options of Georeferencing

The next step is to establish control points; roughly 4-5 would be an appropriate number. The control points will be plotted over the unique features that are present on both of the images, acting as a reference point (Figure 31). The control points selected should be spread out over the 27

104 Selgrove Crescent, Oakville, ON, L6L1L3 single unreferenced image, providing a larger area for the processing to undertaken, which will provide more accurate results.

Figure 31: Georeference: Adding Control Points

After choosing at least 4 control points, the link table can be observed in order to verify the accuracy of the each control point. By adjusting the transformation to Adjust; the total RMS error as well as each control points error can be viewed (requires minimum 3 points). The Root Mean Square error (RMS error) requires a minimum 3 control points measures a distance and calculates an exact mathematical transformation that measures the skewness of the points in relation to the control points. If the RMS error is above 10, this is considered unacceptable; delete the point and find a different unique feature to align the images. Once satisfied, the final processing can be completed by Updating Georeferencing to finish the procedure After selecting at the minimum 4 control points this will act as the means of establishing an guideline for the referencing process. Having selected four points on each of the maps, update the georeference images to overlay them. At this point if the control points were places accurately, the images will be overlay correctly, if not the user will need to re- establish the control points, or the user could rotate the image slightly over the IKONOS image. Either way, if the georeference is not correct the user should do it again. It is a time consuming process but establishing the correct overlay is essential when exampling spatial change over two images.

11.0 1934 Aerial Images

The three aerial images from 1934 were georeferenced using the IKONOS image as a reference point to establish the necessary control points. The three individual images of this section of the Welland Canal were selected before the use of the IKONOS imagery because they have more related features with one another. The use of 4 control points helped to establish an accurate overlay. The selected control points were selected on the base of unique features present on the 28

104 Selgrove Crescent, Oakville, ON, L6L1L3 imagers, such as locks, bridges, shoreline of water. Any overlay of the three ortho images and the one IKONOS image was established (Appendix A).

12.0 1921 Aerial Images

The four provided images of the third canal were georeferenced using the IKONOS image as a reference to establish the necessary control points. With support from similar feature in the four images, control points were established; locks, water ways, buildings, vegetative features; in order to create an accurate georeference overlay of the 5 images (Appendix B).

13.0 Conclusion
The earths surface is constantly changing and with the use of aerial and satellite imagery, we can account for the transformation of land changes on the earths surface. We have the ability now to asses temporal changes that will help us to manage available land more effectively in the future, which has provided an understanding of how humans have developed the urban and rural environments present today. The history of the Welland Canals has been assessed to view the old canal paths as well as unique features and areas that have changed over the past couple of decades. The examination of imagery from 1921 to 2003, have provided insight to the transportation developments of cargo ships within the Great Lakes through the past near century. The use of aerial imagery will help us to predict or anticipate changes in the future and how the better manage the resources we currently have for future generations.

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14.0 Bibliography:
Marshall, P. (2009). Exploring the Old Welland Canals Interactive Tutorial [Google Maps Website] Available at: http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&ie=UTF8&view=map&msa=0&msid=1058223 07812007027098.000469aac1d826988241b&ll=43.156185,79.249556&spn=0.011489,0.02429&t=h&z=16/

The Regional Municipality of Niagara. (2012). Niagara Navigator [Website] Available At: http://maps.niagararegion.ca/Navigator/

Westwater, G. (2010). Welland Canals [Website] Available at: http://www.wellandcanals.com/4thWellandCanal.html

Welland Public Library (2012). Canal History [Website] Available At: http://localhistory.welland.library.on.ca/

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Appendix: Georeferenced Maps:

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