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Konrad Hunter

GEOREFERENCING SCANNED AERIAL IMAGERY AND CHANGE DETECTION ANALYSIS

By: Konrad Hunter For: Janet Finlay

GISC9231 Introduction to Remote Sensing

December 12, 2013

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December 12, 2013 D3 - Georeferencing of Scanned Aerial Imagery and Change Detection

Janet Finlay Instructor / Coordinator Niagara College Post Grad GIS - Geospatial Management Niagara College, NOTL Campus 135 Taylor Rd, S.S.#4 Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON, L0S 1J0

Dear Mrs. Finlay, RE: GISC9231 Deliverable 3 Georeferencing of Scanned Aerial Imagery and Change Detection Please accept this letter as a formal submission of Deliverable 3 - Georeferencing of Scanned Aerial Imagery and Change Detection for GISC9231 Introduction to Remote Sensing. This submission is comprised of a formal report which investigates changes within the Welland Canal system since 1921 using historical aerial photos and georeferencing them to a modern 2003 IKONOS satellite image. The findings in this report have revealed the significant changes that have occurred along the Welland canal from 1921 to 2003, which included the re-routing of the 3rd canal to the modern day route of the 4th canal. Many features within the study area were examined to develop and accurate change detection analysis. If you have any questions regarding these documents or the assignment in general, please feel free to email me at your convenience. Thank you. Sincerely,

R Konrad Hunter
R. Konrad Hunter - B.A GIS-GM Candidate Project Manager: Hunter Geosystems R.K.H Enclosures: i) Report Georeferencing and Change Detection Analysis

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Executive Summary
The Welland Canal represents a major infrastructural achievement for the Niagara region. This engineering marvel provides an essential shipping route, which connects Lake Ontario to Lake Erie and provides an integral transportation route for the shipment of goods. The following report applies various remote sensing and image interpretation techniques to develop a change detection analysis of the Welland Canal since 1921. The accuracy of the findings concluded within this report was reliant on the proper georeferencing of historical aerial photographs from 1921 and 1934. These photos were georeferenced to a 2003 IKONOS multispectral satellite image, using a minimum of three control points set at known locations that were visible in both the historical and modern-day images. The Welland Canal experienced various stages of development and construction, which over time greatly improved the efficiencies and capabilities of this infrastructure. The changes associated with this development were analyzed and presented in this report. Numerous features that appear in both sets of historical photos were examined and interpreted. These features helped establish an understanding to the changes that occurred over time in the area of study. Such findings required the application of image interpretation techniques learned throughout the GISC9231 Introduction to Remote Sensing course. The report concludes with the final georeferenced images of the Welland Canal from 1921 and 1934.

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Table of Contents
Executive Summary........................................................................................................................................ i 1.0 Introduction ............................................................................................................................................ 1 2.0 Methodology........................................................................................................................................... 1 3.0 1934 Aerial Images.................................................................................................................................. 2 4.0 1921 Aerial Images.................................................................................................................................. 8 5.0 2003 Satellite Imagery .......................................................................................................................... 10 6.0 Change Detection.................................................................................................................................. 12 6.1 The Fuller Plan................................................................................................................................... 13 6.2 Change Detection Using Georeferenced 1921 and 2003 Imagery ................................................... 18 6.3 Change Detection Using Georeferenced 1934 and 2003 Imagery ................................................... 19 7.0 Conclusion ............................................................................................................................................. 20 9.0 References ............................................................................................................................................ 20

List of Figures
Figure 1 Dam at southern section of Old Welland Canal (1934) .................................................................. 2 Figure 2 Old Welland Canal 1934 with shadows........................................................................................... 3 Figure 3 New Welland canal without shadows (circa 1934) ......................................................................... 4 Figure 4 Wedge Formation ........................................................................................................................... 5 Figure 5 Railway tunnel (Blue Ghost Tunnel)................................................................................................ 6 Figure 6 Evidence of Abandoned Railway ..................................................................................................... 6 Figure 7 Pond Feature in 1934 ...................................................................................................................... 7 Figure 8 No Pond Features in 1921 ............................................................................................................... 7 Figure 9 Site for GM Plant development ...................................................................................................... 8 Figure 10 Evidence of the Old Canal in Operation (1921) ............................................................................ 9 Figure 11 Ship in lock 12 (1921) .................................................................................................................. 10 Figure 12 New Welland Canal fully operational ......................................................................................... 11 Figure 13 Evidence of Ships using New Canal ............................................................................................. 11 Figure 14 Old Canal no longer Operational ................................................................................................ 11 Figure 15 Features cutting off Old Canal from ship traffic ......................................................................... 11 Figure 16 Locks system for 3rd Canal (1934) .............................................................................................. 13 Figure 17 Fuller Plan Lands (1921) .............................................................................................................. 14 ii

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Figure 18 Fuller Plan Lands (1934) .............................................................................................................. 15 Figure 19 Fuller Plan Lands (2003) .............................................................................................................. 16 Figure 20 Wedge-formation (1921) ............................................................................................................ 17 Figure 21 Wedge-formation (1934) ............................................................................................................ 17 Figure 22 Location of historical Wedge-formation (2003).......................................................................... 17 Figure 23 Georeferenced Image of Canals (1921) ...................................................................................... 18 Figure 24 Georeferenced Image of Canals (1934) ...................................................................................... 19

List of Tables
Table 1 Change Detection of Locks 11 - 24 ................................................................................................. 12

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1.0 Introduction
The Welland canal represents a major achievement for marine transportation in the Niagara Region, providing an essential shipping route between Lake Ontario and Lake Erie. The construction and development of the Welland canal began in the early 19th century. This integral shipping channel has been reconstructed several times since its inaugural voyages in 1829 (The Welland Canals, 2010), greatly improving the efficiency and capabilities of the Welland Canal. The purpose of this assignment is to examine georeferenced digital imagery for a change detection analysis of the Welland Canal using aerial photos taken in 1921 and 1934. Georeferencing is the process of associating geographic data to a known coordinate system for analysis (Lilliesand et al., 2008). This assignment required the use of ArcGIS 10.1 georeferencing tools provided. The historic aerial photographs of the canal were georeferenced to 2003 IKONOS satellite imagery of the Niagara Region provided by Niagara College. This approach to change detection allows for a visual understanding of how the Welland Canal evolved over time, changing the route at which the canal followed as well as improving the capabilities of this crucial infrastructure.

2.0 Methodology
This report provides analysis on change detection in reference to the Welland Canal as it progressively changed course and developed into the major shipping infrastructure it represents today. Three images were used to conduct the change detection analysis: Aerial imageries from 1921 and 1934 of the Welland Canal locks 11 to 24 as well as 2003 IKONOS satellite imagery of the area in focus. The 2003 IKONOS multispectral image was used for georeferencing the 1921 and 1934 images, as this provides a previously determined spatial reference (coordinate system UTM NAD 83 Zone 17) for historical imagery. Georeferencing requires the setting of control points at locations that appear in both the historical imagery as well as current imagery with known coordinates (Lilliesand et al., 2008). This skews the photos being georeferenced so line up according to how each control point is set, effectively lining up the historical image with the current image. This is a critical component of remote sensing and change detection analysis. A minimum of three control points were used for georeferencing the sets of 1921 and 1934 images to the 2003 IKONOS multispectral image. The transparency of each georeferenced image was increased to allow for the base imagery to be slightly visible in order to produce an accurate analysis of change detection. Image interpretation was conducted to determine the operational status of the parts of the Welland canal displayed in the georeferenced images. This required a careful examination of the 1

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features visible in the 1921 and 1934 images. The operational status of each of locks 11 to 24 displayed in the historical imagery was analyzed as an examination of change detection for the Welland Canal system.

3.0 1934 Aerial Images

The operational status of both the old Welland Canal and New Welland Canal can be determined by examining the georeferenced 1934 aerial images (A4873_19, A4873_20 and A4873_21). The old Welland canal appears not to be operational due to absence of water within the canals/locks. The old section of the canal has also been dammed which indicates that it has been cut off as a shipping lane (Figure 1). There are shadows, which appear on the eastern walls of the locks of the old canal, indicating this absence of water as seen in Figure 2.

Figure 1 Dam at southern section of Old Welland Canal (1934)

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Figure 2 Old Welland Canal 1934 with shadows

The new Welland canal appears to be operational in 1934. This becomes apparent when examining the aerial images. The canal appears full of water, which is confirmed by the lack of shadows along the edges of the canal (unlike the old canal). The new canal also appears to be fully constructed by this point, therefore the canal is operational. Figure 3 displays the canal full of water, without shadows, indicating a high water level capable of carrying ships, thus providing evidence of its operational status.

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Figure 3 New Welland canal without shadows (circa 1934)

The large, wedge shaped formation shown in Figure 4 appears to be the displacement of dirt that may have been dug up to build the new canal/dams. The wedge shape indicates the movement of material from one location outward to multiple locations. The linear striations could be tracks left over by the equipment used to push the dirt to what appears to be a buildup. The buildup is identified to be higher than ground level due to the presence of shadows. The texture of the feature is rough, with dark tone indicating vegetated surfaces. The striations appear lighter, indicating the presence of bare soil.

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Figure 4 Wedge Formation

The linear feature in Figure 5 appears to be a railway leading to a tunnel. The shadow cast at the southern edge of the feature indicates that it is below ground level, thus entering the tunnel. The texture of this feature appears smooth; therefore this feature may not be determined as vegetation but rather a form of concrete or bare gravel. The terms of reference for this assignment also describe a railway tunnel that was used by the Canadian Pacific Railway, which was abandoned. This feature appears not to be operational due to the vegetation that looks to be growing within the railway line as it progress east from the tunnel (as seen in Figure 6). The more recently constructed railway that appears at the top of the image in Figure 6 also indicates an abandonment of the Blue ghost tunnel railway, as this would most likely be an improved/upgraded rail line.

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Figure 5 Railway tunnel (Blue Ghost Tunnel)

Figure 6 Evidence of Abandoned Railway

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The pond feature displayed in Figure 7 was most likely a by-product of the old Welland canal, as it was no longer operational at this time due to the completion of the 4th Welland Canal. The dark tone and smoothness of this feature, as well as the irregular shape, suggests it represents a body of water rather than vegetation cover or bare soil. The water may have been left over following the drainage of the Old Welland Canal, as water may have been pumped out to aid with the decommissioning of the Old Welland Canal. It becomes apparent that this feature did not always exist when looking at the 1921 images of the same location. Figure 8 displays this same location, providing visual evidence that no pond features were here in 1921 when the Old Welland Canal was still operational. One may also speculate this pond was leftover as a water source for the development and future operations of the GM plant constructed later at this same location.

Figure 7 Pond Feature in 1934

Figure 8 No Pond Features in 1921

The feature displayed in Figure 9 appears to be the site for the development of the future General Motors Plant which operates at this location. The tone of this feature is a mix of grey and light grey which indicates the presences of bare soils with some vegetation. The feature also appears to be divided into subsections by roads most likely used for construction equipment during the construction of the canals. It may have been farmland prior to the development of the canals as well as the acquiring of this land by GM. The striations within this feature could show evidence of crops. However, the apparent development of this area provides strong evidence of industrial development. Therefore, this feature is most likely the beginning phase of development/construction of the GM plant that remains today.

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Figure 9 Site for GM Plant development

4.0 1921 Aerial Images

The operational status of the canals in 1921 can be determined by referring to Figure 10 to examine both the 3rd and 4th canals. The 3rd Canal (Old Welland Canal) appears to be fully operational in 1921. Evidence which supports this conclusion can be gathered referring to Figure 10. One major indicator of the operational status of the 3rd Canal is the presence of a ship in lock 12 (shown specifically in Figure 11). Another indicator is the high volume of water in the 3rd canal, suggesting it supports ship traffic. The 4th canal is not operational in 1921. Rather, the 4th canal is under construction at this time. This becomes evident when examining the 1921 imagery (Figure 10) as there is a complete absence of water at this location. The light tone of the features in the location of the 4th canal represent bare soil within the canal as it is being excavated to construct the locks and shipping lanes. These features could also be concrete due to the smooth texture. Therefore, the 3rd canal is operational and the 4th canal is not operational in 1921.

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Ship in locks 3 Canal full of water

rd

Absence of water in the 4 Canal

th

Figure 10 Evidence of the Old Canal in Operation (1921)

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Figure 11 Ship in lock 12 (1921)

5.0 2003 Satellite Imagery

The 2003 IKONOS imagery displays the 4th canal as being fully operational. Figure 12 and Figure 13 provide evidence of the operational status of the New Welland canal (4th canal). These images show the canal full of water, with all locks and bridges completely constructed. A major indicator of the operational status of the 4th canal is the presence of ships using this infrastructure. Both Figure 12 and Figure 13 display ships using the canal as well as show how the locks are fully operational, thus providing strong evidence of the canals operational status. The Old Welland canal (3rd canal) is not operational in the 2003 IKONOS imagery. This claim is supported by the visual evidence in Figure 14 and Figure 15. The 3rd canal is cut off from ship traffic at both the southern and northern locations where lock 11 and lock 20 once where. In terms of the condition of the 3rd canal, it appears overgrown by vegetation and poorly maintained, therefore no longer operational for shipping. However, water remains in most of the 3rd canal system, which could allow recreational use of these waters.

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Ship in locks

Locks Operational

Ship using Canal .

Figure 12 New Welland Canal fully operational

Figure 13 Evidence of Ships using New Canal

Feature separating 3rd and 4th Canal .

Old Canal mostly overgrown,

Ship traffic cut off by Dam .

Figure 14 Old Canal no longer Operational

Figure 15 Features cutting off Old Canal from ship traffic

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6.0 Change Detection

To analyze change detection using 1934 and 2003 imagery of the Welland Canal system, the following table was created. Table 1 displays the visibility of each lock in both 1934 and 2003, providing comment on the status of each feature.
Table 1 Change Detection of Locks 11 - 24

Lock Number 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19

1934 Imagery Visible Visible Visible Visible Visible Visible Visible Visible Not Visible

Comments Distinguishable, lock appears in full form, minimal water within feature Distinguishable, lock appears in full form, minimal water within feature Distinguishable, lock appears in full form, minimal water within feature Distinguishable, lock appears in full form, minimal water within feature Distinguishable, lock appears in full form, minimal water within feature Distinguishable, lock appears in full form, minimal water within feature Distinguishable, lock appears in full form, minimal water within feature Distinguishable, lock appears in full form, minimal water within feature The entire lock is submerged due to the th dam to direct water to 4 canal This lock is either completely submerged th or deconstructed to accommodate 4 canal The majority of this lock is submerged as th a result of 4 canal construction The majority of this lock is submerged as th a result of 4 canal This part of the lock not included in the imagery

2003 Imagery Partially Visible Partially Visible Partially Visible Partially Visible Partially Visible Partially Visible Partially Visible Partially Visible Not Visible Not Visible

Comments Distinguishable feature, heavy vegetation growth Distinguishable feature, heavy vegetation growth Distinguishable feature, heavy vegetation growth Distinguishable feature, heavy vegetation growth Distinguishable feature, heavy vegetation growth Distinguishable feature, heavy vegetation growth Distinguishable feature, heavy vegetation growth Distinguishable feature, heavy vegetation growth Heavy vegetation growth, overgrown the lock so it is no longer distinguishable This lock is either completely submerged or deconstructed to th accommodate 4 canal The majority of this lock is th submerged as a result of 4 canal, heavily vegetated The majority of this lock is th submerged as a result of 4 canal This lock is either completely submerged or deconstructed to th accommodate 4 canal This lock is either completely submerged or deconstructed to th accommodate 4 canal

20

Not Visible

21

Partially Visible Partially Visible N/A

Partially Visible Partially Visible Not Visible

22 23

24

N/A

This part of the lock not included in the Imagery

Not Visible

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Lock 11 Lock 12 Lock 13

Lock 14

Lock 15 Lock 16 Lock 17 Lock 18

Lock 19

Lock 20

Lock 21 Lock 22

Figure 16 Locks system for 3rd Canal (1934)

6.1 The Fuller Plan

The Fuller Plan was land owned by Reverend Thomas Fuller, who had plans to divide this agriculturally dominant land for housing development. Using the georeferenced imagery from 1921, 1934 and 2003, changes within these lands can be analyzed to determine the outcome of the Fuller Plan. The 1921 aerial imagery shows the Fuller Plan lands (Figure 17) as an agriculturally dominant area with a few buildings which could represent farm houses and barns. The evidence of cropland is apparent when examining Figure 17, as striations within fields could represent planted crops. This is not apparent in Figure 18. These crop fields may have been decommissioned to allow for the development of the canals or housing as machine equipment would destroy the soils.

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The building features apparent in Figure 17 look to have been abandoned by 1934. Figure 18 shows some evidence that buildings remain within the Fuller Plan lands, however these features may simply represent the foundations of where the buildings once stood or they could be abandoned buildings. The drive roads that appear in Figure 17 are no longer visible in Figure 18, providing evidence that in 1934 this land was no longer being used in the same way it was in 1921. This reveals how changes were occurring within these lands, possibly to accommodate Mr. Fullers plans to develop this land for housing. However, one may assume the land use changes could be a result of the canal construction/development.

Building Features

Figure 17 Fuller Plan Lands (1921)

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Drive roads & crop fields no longer visible

Figure 18 Fuller Plan Lands (1934)

Figure 19 displays the Fuller Plan lands in 2003, using the IKONOS satellite imagery. This shows how the lands of the Fuller Plan have changed dramatically since 1921. The once agriculturally dominant land is now heavily overgrown with vegetation, appearing to be mostly forest due to the rough texture and full green tone visible using the multispectral imagery. Figure 19 provides evidence that the plans to convert the Fuller Plan lands into housing never came to fruition. Rather, this land appears to have been converted into natural landscape. The abandoned railway which passed through the Blue Ghost Tunnel is no longer visible. North of the Fuller Plan lands, across the operational CN railway, is where the GM plant was constructed. The land parcel in Figure 19 could represent land owned by GM.

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Figure 19 Fuller Plan Lands (2003)

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The wedge formation that appears in Figure 4 (beginning of document) was apparent in the 1921 and 1934 aerial imagery (Figure 20, Figure 21). This feature is no longer visible in the 2003 IKONOS satellite imagery. The locations for which it once appears heavily vegetated with forest (Figure 22). This historical wedge-shaped feature was most likely a result of canal construction in both 1921 and 1934, as the striations could be a by-product of equipment used to displace dirt acquired from digging out the canals/locks. A careful examination of Figure 22 reveals what appears to be a slight incline at the location where dirt was built-up (as seen in Figure 20 and Figure 21). The theory suggesting this wedgeshaped feature was a result of the canal construction is most likely accurate because the digging of the 4th canal would have required massive amounts of fill to be displaced.

Figure 20 Wedge-formation (1921)

Figure 21 Wedge-formation (1934)

Figure 22 Location of historical Wedge-formation (2003)

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6.2 Change Detection Using Georeferenced 1921 and 2003 Imagery

Figure 23 Georeferenced Image of Canals (1921)

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6.3 Change Detection Using Georeferenced 1934 and 2003 Imagery

Figure 24 Georeferenced Image of Canals (1934)

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7.0 Conclusion
The georeferencing of historical imagery provides an excellent avenue for change detection analysis. This report examines the changes that occurred amongst the development and operations of the Welland Canal since 1921. This report used historical aerial images of the 3rd and 4th canals taken in 1921 and 1934. The analysis required these images to be georeferenced to an image with a known coordinate system, which was 2003 IKONOS multispectral satellite imagery. This allowed for the 1921 and 1934 images to be overlaid on the 2003 imagery to determine the changes that occurred within the canal system, including the development of the 4th Welland canal and the lands around it. The report examined temporal and spatial changes among features in both the 1921 and 1934 images. This analysis required the application of remote sensing techniques and the use of ESRI ArcGIS software. Control points were set at locations visible in both the base image (2003 IKONOS imagery) and the historical aerial photos. This enabled an accurate analysis of change detection for the areas in of the Welland Canal.

9.0 References
Lillesand, K. C. (2008). Remote Sensing and Image Interpretation. New Delhi: John Wiley & Sons Inc. The Welland Canals. (2010). Welland Canal History. Welland Canals. Retrieved December 1, 2013 from http://www.wellandcanals.com/History.html.

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