Georeferencing of Scanned Aerial

Imagery and Change Detection

GISC9231-D3 Introduction to Remote Sensing

For: Janet Finlay

Niagara College

Margarita Isaza
December 12, 2014
Table of Contents
1.0 - Introduction...............................................................1
2.0 Methods....................................................................1
3.0 - Discussion/Analysis....................................................4
3.1 - 1934 Aerial Images..........................................................4

Georeferencing of Scanned Aerial Imagery and Change

Detection
Margarita Isaza - December 12, 2014
For: Ms. Janet Findlay
Niagara College

3.2 - 1921 Aerial Images......................................................................7

3.3 - 2003 Satellite Imagery.................................................................8

3.4 - Change Detection................................................................10

4.0 - Conclusions........................................................................14
Bibliography............................................................................... 14
Appendices................................................................................15
Table 2: List of Figures and Tables......................................................15

Page 1 of 16

1.0 - Introduction
This project undertakes a change analysis over time. It is conducted
after providing georeferences to old imagery on top of more recent imagery
in the same location, and then analyzing the changes by performing change
detection analysis between the different photos.
Purpose:

To gain a practical ability to georeference aerial images, using ESRIs

ArcGIS

To gain a basic practical familiarity with the undertaking and reporting

of a change detection analysis
Background
The aerial photos are from the Welland canal and surrounding areas,
this area is known by Glendale and it is located in the Niagara Region,
Ontario, Canada.
A 2003 Satellite Imagery (IKONOS Multispectral Imagery, four 1921 Aerial
Images and three 1934 aerial images are provided. Aerial images are
georeferenced over a 2003 Satellite Imagery (IKONOS Multispectral Imagery)
to make a (time) change detection analysis.

2.0 Methods
Situate photos into a folder and made connection to this folder via
ArcGIS.
Drop 2003 IKONOS multispectral image (Figure 1) to ArcMap, this image has
geographic coordinates, system of NAD83 UTM Zone 17N.

Page 2 of 16

Figure 1: IKONOS Multispectral Imagery, 2003

Drop each one of the historic photos, they dont have projection but the idea
is that they get the same coordinated system that the 2003 IKONOS image
after being georeferenced. Some photos require to rotate them and to
change color band to facilitate (visually) to compare them with the IKONOS
image.
To georeference this photos, select georeference and then select the tool
that permits to select a point on the photo to georeferenced and then, select
the same point in the same in location on the correctly projected IKONOS
image. Three or more distant points are required to georeference each photo.
The precision of the correspondence between the points selected in the two
photos make the georeference to be more precise.
The number of points selected (the more the better) and the space between
them affect the accuracy of the georeferencing as well, which means that
the photo will be positioned in the correct place.
Page 3 of 16

When all images are georefered a more complete view by year is

obtained (Figure 2 and Figure 3). Questions on this project can be responded
by analyzing the layers obtained and hiding some and leaving others visible
accordantly to the questions.
Change the transparency of the IKONOS image, if necessary to allow
some kind of visualization according to the questions.

Figure 2:

Four 1921 Aerial Images

Figure 3: Three 1934 aerial

images

3.0 - Discussion/Analysis
3.1 - 1934 Aerial Images

a What was the operational status of each of the canals in 1934? Why do
you draw this conclusion?

The third canal seems to be not operational by 1934 (Figure 4, Red

arrow). The reasons to draw this this conclusion are:

Page 4 of 16

There is a dark line at the left side along the canal, this represent
low level of water
Dirt can be seen on the left side of the canal
For the canal to be operational require enough amount of water on
the lock for the ships to be able to pass through

The fourth canal seems to be operational in 1934 (Figure 4, Blue

arrow).

Unlike canal three the water level is high. No shadow can be

appreciate in this canal

Figure 4: Canal 3, Not Operational, 1934 and Canal 4, Operational, 1934

Referring to A4873-20 Welland Canals 1934 (JPEG), what is the wedge

shaped formation at location A? What are the Striations?
The wedge shaped formation at location A (Figure 5) seems to be
accumulation of dirt as a result of excavation and dirt movements for the
construction of canal 4. Striations are excavations and the shadows shows
the differences in heights.

Page 5 of 16

Figure 5: A4873-20 Welland Canals 1934 (JPEG),

b Again, referring to A4873-20 Welland Canals 1934 (JPEG), what is the

linear feature at location B? What was its status in 1934 (was it
actively being used)? What is your evidence?
The linear feature at location B seems a railway (Red arrow, Figure B). This
conclusion can be draw because of the path shape and because it seems to
disappear at a tunnel. The railway seems not to be in use due to the dense of
the vegetation around it (Red arrow, Figure B).

Figure B
c Again, referring to A4873-20 Welland Canals 1934 (JPEG), why do you
suppose the pond at C existed? Support your hypothesis thoroughly.
The pond at location C possibly was created to prevent inundation due to
the construction of the canal.

Page 6 of 16

Figure 6: A4873-20 Welland Canals 1934 (JPEG),

d Again, referring to A4873-20 Welland Canals 1934 (JPEG), what is the

area E? Justify your hypothesis.

The feature at location E seems to be a farm land,

the patterns (striations) represent lines of crop.

Figure 7: A4873-20 Welland Canals

1934 (JPEG),

3.2 - 1921 Aerial Images

What was the operational status of each of the canals in 1921? Why do you
draw this conclusion?
Page 7 of 16

From Figure 8 it is possible to observe that in 1921, canal 3 was operational

while canal 4 was in construction. Canal 3 was filled with well amount of
water including locks. The reason to draw that canal 4 was under
construction are:

Striations can be seen where the canal is.

There is a bridge (Blue arrow) crossing the location of the future canal
Historical information about the construction of the canal relates that
canal 4 was constructed between 1913 and 1932

Figure 8: Operational Status, Canals 3 & 4, 1921

3.3 - 2003 Satellite Imagery

e What was the operational status of each of the canals in 2003? Why do
you draw this conclusion?
The operational status of canals in 2003 was the same as in 1934. Canal 3
was not operational and canal 4 was in use (figure 9).
Canal 4 is operational corroborated by the boat present on the image (blue
arrow). It is moving through the locks. Canal 3 is no longer in use do to the
large dense vegetation and deficit of water (red arrows).

Page 8 of 16

Figure 9: Operational Status - Canal 3 and Canal 4 - 2003

Page 9 of 16

3.4 - Change Detection

Figure 1 above as well as H22-25 Welland Canal Locks 1921 (JPEG) and
H22-91 Welland Canal Locks 1921 (JPEG) show the lock numbering
system in 1921 for the 3rd canal. Create a table that shows how locks
11 through 24 are/are-not visible to our remote sensing platforms in
1934 and 2003. For each year, note whether the lock is visible, partly
visible, not visible or not shown on the imagery. For non-visible locks,
add a comment column to your table detailing why the lock is no
longer visible.

Table 2: Wellenad Canal - Visibility of Locks in 1934 and 2003

Lock
Numb

1934

2003

er
Visibility
11

12

13

Visible

Visible

Visible

Commen
ts

Visibili Comments
ty
Partially
Visible
Partially
Visible

Not Visible

Lock is visible but not

evident, however basin is
not
Outline of lock is visible and
has the most defined basin
of all
Water still flows through
here, there is overgrowth of
vegetation.
The outline of the lock is no

14

Visible

15

Visible

16

Visible

17

Visible

Page 10 of 16

Not Visible

longer visible because of the

Partially

vegetation.
Basin is no visible but the

Visible
Partially

outline of the lock

Basin is no visible but the

Visible

outline of the lock

The outline of the lock is

Partially
Visible

evident, however the basin

is no more

18

Partially

Visible

Visible
Completely gone

19

Not Visible

due construction

Not Visible

of canal 4
Completely gone

20

Not Visible

due construction

Basin is no visible but the

outline of the lock
Same as in 1934 with a
roads
Same as 1934

Not Visible

of canal 4

21

Visible

22

Visible

23

Not Shown

24

Not Shown

Partially
Visible
Not Visible
Not included in
the imagery
Not included in
the imagery

Not Visible
Not Visible

Outline of lock still evident,

basin no visible
Vegetation has become
more pronounced
Lock destroyed during
construction of canal 4
Lock destroyed during
construction of canal 4

Describe the changes within the lands of the Fuller Plan from 1921 through
1934 to 2003. Speculate why these changes occurred.
The Fuller Plan from 1921 through 1934 to 2003 after analyzing the three
periods on time, it is observable that the Fuller Plan was a proposed area for
development of a subdivision.
In the 1921 image there are some crop fields and a barn. It also shows the
railway probably operational, as there was no overgrowth of vegetation at
that moment.

Figure 11: Fuller Plan

Figure 10: Fuller Plan

Figure 12: Fuller Plan

from 1921

from 1934

from 2003

Page 11 of 16

In 1934 image, most of the area seems empty the crop fields and barn are no
longer there. Probably due to the development proposal. The railroad seems
to be out of operation at this time overgrowth of vegetation is seeing. Roads
are less visible.
In 2003 it is evident that the development plan wasnt implemented and
vegetation is dense as a forest. There is a road that remains on the three
images, the railroad completely disappears under the vegetation.
g What happened to the wedge shaped landform at Location A of to
A4873-20 Welland Canals 1934 (JPEG) that was visible in 1921 and
1934? Support your hypothesis.
In 1921, the striations seems to be new and there are some elevation
changes. In 1934, when the canal 4 is visible, the striations are more
pronounce as a result of excavations. Excavation (different elevations) can
be observed from the shadowing. In 2003, the vegetation became
overgrown. Road to the south and two roads to the west can be observed. A
new development is also visible at northeast.

Figure
13:
- Location
A,A,
Figure
14:
-- Location
Figure
15:
Location
A,
1921
2003
1934

Page 12 of 16

h Create two figures for your report that show (via screen save of formal
ArcGIS layout) the georeferenced imagery overlaid atop the IKONOS
satellite image. One figure for the

Figure 16: Four 1921 Aerial Photos

Figure 17: Three 1934 Aerial Phots

4.0 - Conclusions
This project is a good example of implementing georeference on aerial
old imaginary on top of a most recent one using ESRIs ArcGIS. This project
also makes a significant change detection analysis.

Bibliography
Remote Sensing and Image Interpretation, 6th Edition, Lillesand, Kiefer
and Chipman
ArcGIS for Desktop, Third edition, Michael Law, Amy Collins.
Terms of Reference for Deliverable 9231-D3, GISC9231 Introduction to
Remote Sensing, Georeferencing of Scanned Aerial Imagery and Change
Detection, Janet Finlay, Niagara College.

Page 13 of 16

Appendices
Table 2: List of Figures and Tables

Section

Figure/Table

Page
Numb
er

2.0 Methods

Figure 18: IKONOS Multispectral Imagery,

Page 3

2003
Figure 19:
Four 1921 Aerial Images
Figure 20: Three 1934 aerial images

Page 4
Page 4

Figure 21: Canal 3, Not Operational, 1934

Page 6

and Canal 4, Operational, 1934

Figure 22: A4873-20 Welland Canals

Page 6

1934 (JPEG)
Figure B
Figure 23: A4873-20 Welland Canals

Page 6
Page 7

1934 (JPEG)
Figure 24: A4873-20 Welland Canals

Page 8

3.0 Discussion/Analysis
3.1 - 1934 Aerial Images

Page 14 of 16

1934 (JPEG),
Figure 25: Operational Status, Canals 3 &

Page 8

4, 1921
3.2 - 1921 Aerial Images
Figure 26: Operational Status, Canals 3 &

Page 8

4, 1921
Figure 27: Operational Status - Canal 3

Page 9

and Canal 4 - 2003

3.4 - Change Detection

Page 15 of 16

Table 2: Welland Canal - Visibility of

Page 10

Locks in 1934 and 2003

Figure 28: Plan Fuller from 1921
Figure 29: Fuller Plan from 1934
Figure 30: Fuller Plan from 2003
Figure 31: - Location A, 1921
Figure 32: - Location A, 1934
Figure 33: - Location A, 2003
Figure 34: Four 1921 Aerial Photos
Figure 35: Three 1934 Aerial Phots

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