NIAGARA COLLEGE-GIS GM

Introduction to
Remote Sensing
Georeferencing of Scanned Aerial Imagery and Change
Detection Assignment #3

Marc Michael Mancino

For: Janet Finlay

December 12th, 2014

Triplem Inc.

10 Jessica Drive St. Catharines Ontario L2M 6V7

(905) 935-8366 marcmancino@gmail.com
December 12th, 2014
GISC9231D3
Janet Finlay
Niagara College
135 Taylor Road
Niagara-on-the-Lake
Dear Janet Finlay:

RE: GISC9231 Introduction to Remote Sensing Deliverable 9231D3

The purpose of this deliverable is to use all of the skills we have gathered
from previous deliverables using image interpretation and digital image
review, to complete a change detection analysis. The change detection
analysis includes the georeferenced aerial imagery as well as the answers to
all the questions noted in the terms of reference. The change detection
analysis was conducted after all of the procedures in the terms of reference
had been completed. The process for conducting a change detection analysis
has been proven useful in solidifying my knowledge of ArcGIS and digital
image interpretation and further enhances my ability to perform like a GIS
expert.
Should you require further information, please do not hesitate to contact me
at your convenience. I look forward to your comments and suggestions on
this deliverable.
Sincerely,

Marc Mancino
MM/
Enclosures: 1.) Formally written document

December 12th, 2014

Table of Contents
1.0 - Introduction........................................................................... 1
2.0 - Methodologies.......................................................................1
3.0 Solutions............................................................................... 2
3.1 1934 Aerial Images (A4873_19, A4873_20 and A4873_21) 2
3.1.1 A................................................................................... 2
3.1.2 B................................................................................... 2
3.1.3 C................................................................................... 3
3.1.4 D................................................................................... 4
3.1.5 E...................................................................................4
3.2 1921 Aerial Images (H20-1, H20-2, H22-25, H22-91).........5
3.2.1 F...................................................................................5
3.3 2003 Satellite Imagery (IKONOS Multispectral Imagery).....5
3.3.1 G................................................................................... 5
3.4 Change Detection..............................................................6
3.4.1 H................................................................................... 6
3.4.2 I..................................................................................11
3.4.3 J..................................................................................13
3.4.4 K................................................................................. 14
4.0 Conclusions........................................................................14
5.0 Bibliography.......................................................................15
Appendices.................................................................................16
Appendix A...............................................................................17
Appendix B...............................................................................18

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List of Figures
Figure 1 - ArcMap menu displaying the color bands of the IKONOS satellite
imagery............................................................................................................1
Figure 2 - ArcMap menu displaying the 'Georeferencing' tool from ArcToolbox.
.........................................................................................................................2
Figure 3 - Wedge-shaped formation just east of the fourth canal....................3
Figure 4 - Linear feature intersecting the third canal.......................................3
Figure 5 - Water transport corridor just east of the fourth canal......................4
Figure 6 - Meandering runoff indicated by light grey features.........................4
Figure 7 - Ship passing through a lock of the 3rd Welland Canal in 1921........5
Figure 8 - Evidence of construction of the 4th Welland Canal in 1921.............5
Figure 9 - Land of the Fuller Plan from 1921..................................................10
Figure 10 - Land of the Fuller Plan from 1934................................................11
Figure 11 - Land of the Fuller Plan from 2003................................................12
Figure 12 - Wedge-shaped feature at location A in 2003...............................13

List of Tables
Table 1 - Comparison of the Third Canal and Fourth Canal Reservoirs in 1934.
.........................................................................................................................2
Table 2 - Observing the Visibility of Locks 11 to 24 using the 1934 Aerial
Images.............................................................................................................5
Table 3 - Observing the Visibility of Locks 11 to 24 using the IKONOS 2003
Satellite Imagery..............................................................................................8

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1.0 - Introduction
The scope of this project revolves around performing a change detection
analysis on the Welland Canals to provide a slideshow of its geographic and
historical changes over almost a century. The imagery will be georeferenced
to a modernized map of the area of interest, using a powerful application
called ArcGIS. ArcGIS is a user-friendly application capable of manipulating
and distributing geographic information (ESRI, 2014). It will be used to house
the 1921 and 1934 aerial images so that they can be georeferenced to the
2003 IKONOS satellite imagery. This is completed as a pre-requisite to
performing the change detection analysis of the Welland Canals.
The change detection analysis involves the use of remote sensing image
interpretation skills, such as the observation of tone, texture, shape, pattern,
association, size and shadow to speculate the reasoning behind changes to
features and their status of operation. This analysis will help develop
conclusions for the physical changes to the landscape over time and solidify
my skills as a GIS expert.

2.0 - Methodologies
The scope of the change detection analysis focuses on detailing the historical
changes to the Welland Canal using older aerial imagery and georeferencing
it with more current imagery. The procedures involved, begin with
introducing the IKONOS satellite imagery to ArcMap. Once the imagery has
been introduced, the band numbering needed to be adjusted so that its
features can be properly displayed in ArcMap. The Red band was converted
from Band_1 to Band_3. The Green band remained the same. The Blue
band was converted from Band_3 to Band_1.

Figure 1 - ArcMap menu displaying the color bands of the IKONOS satellite imagery.

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The next step is to enable the Georeferencing tool from ArcToolbox as

shown in Figure 2. Once enabled, the correct imagery planning to be
georeferenced, was selected from the image dropdown menu. The control
point feature was used to indicate points of similarity between the aerial
imagery and the IKONOS satellite imagery to rectify them for the change
detection analysis. The Auto Adjust option, under the Georeferencing
dropdown menu, was deselected to prevent the image from changing as the
control points were assigned. Three control points were assigned for
georeferencing the 1921 aerial imagery to the IKONOS imagery. The same
process was repeated for the 1934 aerial imagery. After the aerial images
have been rectified to the users satisfaction, the Update Georeferencing
option, under the Georeferencing dropdown menu, was selected. This saved
the changes made to the rectified aerial images. Selecting the Fit to Display
option, under the Georeferencing dropdown menu, displayed the rectified
images atop the IKONOS satellite imagery.

Figure 2 - ArcMap menu displaying the 'Georeferencing' tool from ArcToolbox.

3.0 Solutions
3.1 1934 Aerial Images (A4873_19, A4873_20 and A4873_21)
3.1.1 A
The first, second, and third canals, in 1934, were non-operational. This
conclusion was drawn from the fact that once the fourth canal was built in
1932, the third canal was decommissioned (Wikidot, N.D.). The fourth canal
was so efficient in transporting freighters between Lake Ontario and Lake
Erie that there was no reason for the other canals (Wikidot, N.D.). The
shadows along the edge of each of the reservoirs between the locks of the
third canal, shown in Table 1, indicate a low water level, if any at all. If you
compare a reservoir between the locks of the third canal to a reservoir of the
fourth canal, as shown in Table 1, you can see the high water reflectance and
almost flat or flush look with no shadowing.

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Table 1 - Comparison of the Third Canal and Fourth Canal Reservoirs in 1934.

Third Canal Reservoir

Fourth Canal Reservoir

3.1.2 B
The most plausible explanation for the wedge-shaped feature at location A
was excess dirt material that was deposited on the land during the
construction of the fourth canal. The wedge shape is a mound of dirt, which
is indicated by the shadowing on the northern part of it, signifying height.
The amount of deposition looks significant, almost seemingly equal in
proportion to the amount of dirt required to remove to hollow out or dredge
the canal during its construction. The striations look as if they stretch the
entirety of the wedge shape, which is indicative of an attempt to spread the
deposit evenly over the land surface. Being so, that this deposition is so
close to the canal, further signifies its identification. It was probably cheaper
and more logical to conveniently dump and spread the deposit close to the
construction site, as heavy machinery wasnt as sophisticated or used at all,
in 1934.

Figure 3 - Wedge-shaped formation just east of the fourth canal.

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3.1.3 C
The linear feature at location B is an abandoned rail line. The background
history on the area as noted in the introduction of the terms of reference
noted that there was an abandoned rail line that travelled through the Fuller
Plan lands and under the 3rd Welland Canal. This feature curves to align with
a similarly shaped feature on the opposite side of one of the third canal
reservoirs, indicating the possibility of one connected feature, where the rest
is not visible (underground part of the rail line). The shadowing of the
feature indicates a depression, most likely where the rail line was situated.
Its status in 1934 was non-operational. This is evident in the lack of features
to signify entrances before and exits after the 3rd Welland Canal reservoir.

Figure 4 - Linear feature intersecting the third canal.

3.1.4 D
The suggested theory behind the existence of the pond at location C is that it
was part of a floodplain for water control during the construction of the 4th
Welland Canal. The shadowing, indicative of depth, in the linear, grooveshaped feature stretches from the edge of the fourth canal to where the
striations begin, is assumed to be a water transport corridor, as shown in
Figure 5. It was hypothesized that the striations were a result of sediment
transport during the filling of the floodplain. The striations fan out towards
the pond. It was also hypothesized that the pond was created from leftover
water that did not drain because the land elevation in that area was more
depressed than the surrounding land.

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Figure 5 - Water transport corridor just east of the fourth canal

3.1.5 E
The grid-like feature that is encircled as area E is hypothesized to be
decrepit, agricultural land that was a large part of the floodplain used in the
construction of the 4th Welland Canal. Agricultural land present on aerial
imagery is typically consistent in shape, and has very consistent patterning
and striations throughout. The typical characteristics are there, but there
appears to be a rather large disturbance of water runoff that destroyed this
land and rendered it useless. The meandering and randomness of the runoff
begins at the water transport corridor, mentioned previously, and is likely the
result of uncontrollable leakage during the attempted transport of water to
the intended floodplain area. The light grey features that meander through
the land are indicative of runoff as shown in Figure 6.

Figure 6 - Meandering runoff indicated by light grey features.

3.2 1921 Aerial Images (H20-1, H20-2, H22-25, H22-91)

3.2.1 F
The status of the 3rd Welland Canal was operational. There is evidence of a
ship passing through the locks of the 3rd Welland Canal, as shown in Figure 7.
Additional evidence, suggesting the canal was operational is in regards to the
fluidity of the locks and high water reflectance with an almost flat or flush
look with no shadowing. The status of the 4th Welland Canal was nonoperational. There is evidence of construction where the 4th Welland Canal is

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currently situated, as shown in Figure 8. There is evidence of tracks for heavy

machinery, indicated by the thin, bright, white lines. The darkish, vertical
groove that runs down the middle of the area could also signify the initial
digging and shaping process for the canal itself.

Figure 7 - Ship passing through a lock of the 3rd Welland Canal in 1921.

Figure 8 - Evidence of construction of the 4th Welland Canal in 1921.

3.3 2003 Satellite Imagery (IKONOS Multispectral Imagery)

3.3.1 G
The first, second, and third canals, in 2003, were non-operational. This
conclusion was drawn from the fact that once the fourth canal was built in
1932, the third canal was decommissioned (Wikidot, N.D.). The fourth canal
was so efficient in transporting freighters between Lake Ontario and Lake
Erie that there was no reason for the other canals (Wikidot, N.D.).

3.4 Change Detection

3.4.1 H

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Table 2 - Observing the Visibility of Locks 11 to 24 using the 1934 Aerial Images.

1934 Imagery

Visibili
ty
Visible

Comments

Lock
12

Visible

N/A

Lock
13

Visible

N/A

Lock
14

Visible

N/A

Lock
15

Visible

N/A

Lock
16

Visible

N/A

Lock
11

N/A

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Lock
17

Visible

N/A

Lock
18

Visible

N/A

Lock
19

Partly
visible

N/A

Lock
20

Not
visible

Transitions from
Lock 19 (Dam
looking structure);
Transformed into a
water reservoir and
is no longer
connected to the
discontinued,
abandoned section
of Locks (21-24),
but is still
connected to the
fourth canal channel
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Lock
21

Visible

N/A

Lock
22

Visible

N/A

Not
shown
Not
shown

N/A

Lock
23
Lock
24

N/A
N/A

N/A

Table 3 - Observing the Visibility of Locks 11 to 24 using the IKONOS 2003 Satellite Imagery.

2003 Imagery

Visibili
ty
Visible

Comments

Lock
12

Visible

N/A

Lock
13

Visible

N/A

Lock
11

N/A

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Lock
14

Visible

N/A

Lock
15

Visible

N/A

Lock
16

Visible

N/A

Lock
17

Visible

N/A

Lock
18

Visible

N/A

Lock
19

Not
Visible

Discontinued use of
the lock after such
time, has allowed
for significant plant
encroachment

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Lock
20

Not
Visible

Lock
21

Visible

Lock
22

Partly
Visible

N/A

Not
shown
Not
shown

N/A

Lock
23
Lock
24

N/A
N/A

Transitions from
Lock 19 (Decrepit
grassy corridor);
Remains as a water
reservoir but is still
connected to the
fourth canal channel
N/A

N/A

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3.4.2 I

Figure 9 - Land of the Fuller Plan from 1921

The Fuller Plan in 1921 had a few notable features that have some
significance in regards to how they changed throughout the years. The
yellow indicator encompasses the nurtured agricultural land at the time. This
is evident by the lines of trees, something that does not happen naturally.
There are also buildings that could be barns and striations on the land
signifying active and regularly scheduled plowing. The red arrow indicates
the possible landowners property. Upon closer observation, there is
indication of a road leading up to this proposed property. The background
information in the terms of reference stated that this land was owned by
Reverend Thomas Fuller who originally had plans to subdivide the land for
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housing. It is speculated that this property was indeed the property of

Reverend Thomas Fuller. The blue indicator encompasses another piece of
nurtured agricultural land. There is further evidence of engineered tree
planting in this area as well because of the tree lines.

Figure 10 - Land of the Fuller Plan from 1934

The Fuller Plan in 1934 underwent significant changes in the 13 years that
had passed. The yellow indicator that once encompassed the nurtured
agricultural land, now looks barren with most of, if not all, of the trees
removed. There is minimal evidence of tree lines and all that seems to
inhabit the area is an abandoned building and a few trees. The red arrow
indicates the absence of the once distinct and proposed property of
Reverend Thomas Fuller. The road that was leading up to it appears to have
been removed. The blue indicator that once encompassed another piece of
nurtured agricultural now looks barren and distraught as well. It is speculated
that this area underwent these changes because there were other plans for
land use in store this area.

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Figure 11 - Land of the Fuller Plan from 2003

The Fuller Plan in 2003 underwent even more significant changes since 1934.
Indicators are not required for this interpretation because of how evident
vegetative encroachment is. The white feature at the top of the area could
be deposits or even gravel pathways from another nearby industry at the
time, such as the General Motors plant across the road. Any of the previous
features that existed from the Fuller Plan from 1934 and before, are not
evident enough to distinguish, again, because of the amount of vegetative
encroachment. It is speculated that these changes were a result of
abandoning the Fuller Plan project.

3.4.3 J
After the construction of the fourth canal, it was hypothesized that the
wedge-shaped feature at location A, that was proposed as dirt material
deposition, was abandoned. Over the years, this allowed the area to flourish
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with plant overgrowth, nearly hiding the indication of the features shape.
There are patterns of intermittant shadowing, shown in Figure 12, that
indicate the presence of the mound. Not only is the pattern intermittant, but
distinct as well, which could signify height.

Figure 12 - Wedge-shaped feature at location A in 2003

3.4.4 K
The georeferenced 1921 imagery displayed atop the IKONOS satellite
imagery is represented as Appendix A. The 1934 georeferenced imagery
displayed atop the IKONOS satellite imagery is represented as Appendix B.

4.0 Conclusions
The georeferencing of historical aerial imagery prepared for a change
detection analysis by exemplifying the geographic and historical changes to
the Welland Canal. After analyzing the change to features in each of the
images, it was concluded that the construction of the Welland Canal yielded
many physical changes to the landscape, remnants of which still exist today;
most buried in vegetative overgrowth. This deliverable was successful in
solidifying an understanding for the history of the Welland Canal and the
processes it underwent. It also further enhanced our ability to interpret aerial
imagery as well as manipulate tools in ArcMap.

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5.0 Bibliography
1) The Old Welland Canals Field Guide. A History of the Old Welland
Canals. (n.d.) Retrieved on December 10, 2014 from
http://oldwellandcanals.wikidot.com/history
2) Nation Ocean Service. What is remote sensing? (2014). Retrieved on
December 11th, 2014 from
http://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/remotesensing.html
3) ESRI ArcGIS Resources. Introduction to ArcGIS. (2014). Retrieved on
December 7th, 2014 from http://resources.arcgis.com/en/help/gettingstarted/articles/026n00000014000000.htm

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Appendices

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Appendix A

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Appendix B

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December 12th, 2014