Sensitivity Map of Kesikköprü Dam Lake Basin Water Resources

Abstract

Watersheds offer vital water supply for the fundamental ecological roles of settlements, industrial and agricultural lands, and natural areas they comprise. They are made up of a complex ecosystem comprising upper, middle, and lower levels, all linked by water. The quality of a lake's water heavily relies on the land use in its catchment and the sources that supply it, as well as the industrial facilities and management policies found within. This study presents a methodology utilizing Geographic Information System (GIS) for developing a sensitivity index of catchment water resources from an integrated catchment management standpoint. The study analyses the impact of natural and anthropogenic activities on water resources in Kesikköprü Dam Lake Basin by employing data, which is mapped based on their coordinates using ArcGIS 10.8 software, a GIS application. An area-specific sensitivity scale was developed using sensitivity parameters and evaluation scores for the study area. The scores of activities that impact the quality of water resources were evaluated on the sensitivity scale, and the resulting data was transferred to the GIS program to generate a sensitivity map. It is believed that the methodology used in this study will serve as guidance for several planning programs, including the development of water resource protection, urban-rural development, and lake basin planning. © Author(s) 2023.