The Detection and Analysis of Irrigation Channel Leakage Using Imaging from an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle

The Detection and Analysis of Irrigation Channel Leakage Using Imaging from an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle

In most major irrigation systems throughout the world the transport of water is via open irrigation channels and due to cost factors of enclosing or piping these open channels, this system will remain as the accepted method into the future. Water is one of the most vital commodities around the world but considerable quantities are lost daily through leaking, evaporation or broken channels. Leakage sites, called hot spots, along irrigation channels are usually wetter and contain lusher vegetation than surrounding areas. Until recently the potential to use Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) was not a major component of resource management; however, this is rapidly changing due to better acceptance of the quality of information that can be collected by a UAV, the speed that which this information can be acquired and the cost savings that are immediately evident. This project has shown that leak detection using UAV fitted with a multi-spectral camera and using currently available software can be quickly and cheaply performed. This will help save considerable volumes of precious water lost to leakage. The saving of time and money by using UAV compared with routine inspections by paid labour will be considerable. Early leak detection will also allow for early repair of leaking irrigation channels and avoid catastrophic collapse of irrigation channel walls with the consequent flooding problems and loss of large amounts of scarce water. This study discusses the advantages and limitations of UAVs to detect irrigation channel leaks together with the results obtained and the benefits or problems experienced in processing the data obtained from the UAV flights.

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