Analysis of change detection in the Darbandikhan Dam surface area using remote sensing techniques and GIS

This study examines the application of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and remote sensing techniques in the cartographic representation of the water bodies within Darbandikhan Dam Lake from 2015 to 2023, with the aim of identifying and analyzing alterations in the lake's surface area over this specified timeframe. These years are chosen to test the factors that occurred during these years, the first of which is that Iraq entered the seismic line in 2017 to determine the extent to which the storage capacity of the reservoir was affected after the earthquake struck Sulaymaniyah Governorate, within which the dam is located, and secondly, the climate factors, including rainfall, since these periods included a large variation in rainfall, As well as the rise in temperatures throughout Iraq( two years before the earthquake, the year of the earthquake, and two years after the earthquake ) and the year 2023 was chosen to accurately determine the reasons affecting the difference in the surface area of the lake. The detection of this alteration was facilitated through the use of satellite images obtained from the Sentinel2 satellite, as well as the application of remote sensing techniques and Geographic Information Systems (GIS). The findings of this study reveal variations in the surface area of the lake from 2015 to 2019&2023, influenced by multiple factors. These factors encompass natural climatic conditions, such as precipitation levels and elevated temperatures, as well as political circumstances, specifically the cessation of water supply from the primary source, the Sirwan River, originating from Iran. Additionally, it was observed that the alteration is scheduled to take place in the year 2023. The surface area of the object in question was notably less compared to prior years, measuring 34.19 square kilometers. Consequently, recommendations were proposed at the conclusion of the study to effectively utilise the available information.