GE 4150 Natural Hazards Mitigation

Hazard Mapping with ArcView GIS – Final Lab Report

Synopsis: The final lab project requires hazard analysis utilizing GIS to create maps and an attached report describing the hazards, location, methods used, and your results and discussion (format is below).  Data can be obtained from www.geocomm.com or you can use your own GIS data, or obtain data from governments, engineering firms, etc. At least one hazard map should be included, but other maps may be used to express demographics, geographic area, etc. Photos may also be included in the report to further illustrate the hazard. At least one hazard may be analyzed (i.e. flooding, storm surge, wildfire etc.), but more than one hazard can be shown. At least three hazard-specific layers need to be used in the analysis such as: roads, rivers, population centers, railroads etc. If a DEM is available this should be used in your hazard analysis as well. 

Due Dates: Mid-Semester Map due November 2nd-  Turn in a map of your site location with at least 3 hazard-appropriate layers.  Edit your dataset or create new layers to represent your hazard area. The map should also have proper labeling of features, with clear and easily-differentiated theme features.  Present the map(s) as a layout, with title, legend, scale, north arrow, and name and source information included.
Final Lab Project due December 14th – Turn in the final lab report and maps

Project Steps:

1.  Choose a project site, this does not have to be in the United States, just make sure there is enough data if you are choosing a location outside of the U.S.  I can also help you find some information for the location you choose if you are having trouble. Choose an area small enough to focus on (choose a county/or city, not an entire state). 

2. Download the data.  Data can be downloaded at www.geocomm.com, we created an account here the first day of class. Again you can also use or own data, or obtain data from governments or engineering firms. We may also be able to convert hard copy data to a digital format to use in a GIS, see me if you would like to explore this option.

3. Create hazard maps. Choose at least one hazard you want to analyze for the project. Make sure this hazard can occur at your project site (No hurricane in Colorado).  You can choose from a wide array of natural disasters (tornadoes, wildfire, volcanoes etc.) as well as human-caused disasters (terrorist attack, toxic plume, hazmat accident). Try and use existing hazard information from your project site, for example if flood plain maps exist for your location, try and approximate the flood zones in GIS.  If no data is available use your best judgment in creating hazard zones, and state why the criteria were chosen (ex. For a flood hazard you have chosen a buffer of 150 ft to represent a 100 year flood plain, based on the topography and previous flood events).  Be sure to support your reasoning for your hazard zones, based either on supporting information or your educated experience.

4.  Write report.  (See format below)  The report should describe the geographic area (population, major businesses, military bases etc.).  Description of the hazard you chose, likelihood of disaster occurring in your locality (if disaster has occurred before provide past examples and supporting data, were people required to take shelter or evacuate etc.?).  How can GIS be used for hazard mitigation for this region?  If you were going to share the hazard information, how would hazard maps and supporting information be distributed to your community?  Describe the software that was used, where the data was obtained, and any procedures used. In addition, describe how you performed the hazard zone delineation (based on previous work/maps, educated guess based on knowledge of disasters and the topography, etc.).  In your results describe the hazard maps, what area does the hazard affect?, what population is affected?, possible evacuation routes, etc. Your discussion should reflect a serious effort to develop a hazard mitigation plan for the region of your choice.  What are you recommendations for future hazard work?, What possible mitigation could be used to reduce the hazard (new policy, install levees)? Finally cite all of your references: location of GIS data, any websites used, class and lab notes, any books, etc.
 

Making your final map presentation

Components of a map. You should be able to incorporate all of these into your final map project: 

      Neat line:  solid boundary line forming a frame for the visually active part of the map

      Border:  white space between the neat line and the edge of the medium (no information in this area)

      Scale bar:  miles, meters, feet, etc.

      Labels: text to add information to the symbols (e.g., road names)

      Legend:  an explanation of the graphic symbols and colors on the figure.

      Title:  text, descriptive, and short as possible

      Credits:  date produced, authors, owners, sources of information

      North arrow:  compass, cross, arrow as desired.

 

Write-up

Refer to the website for lab report format.  Page lengths are given as guides only. The final report must include:

       Title:  specify where and what hazard(s) you are creating the project for

       Introduction  (1-2) Describe the hazards you are considering in your map project, the utility of GIS for hazard mitigation studies, and how your hazard maps would be used.

       Methods  (1-2) Technical aspects of the procedures, software and data you used.

       Results  (1-2) Hazard maps with explanations.

       Discussion  (2-4) Applications of maps, recommendations for future work.  Your discussion should reflect a serious effort to develop a hazard mitigation plan for the region of your choice, including hazards maps.  You                will not of course have every bit of data necessary; this map is just an initial effort.

       References:  Cite any information sources you used, class and lab handouts, and web sites.

 

Overall, what makes a good project?

               Maps:  visual presentation, clarity, details, appropriateness to project

               Format (complete sections) and Style (spelling, grammar, clarity)

               Content:  be specific and quantitative.  Give values, percentages, distances, number of cases as much as possible.  Back up your arguments with examples and data, and map interpretations/references rather than open                  speculation.