Hydro Power Potential in
Lake Sebu, South Cotabato
Using Geospatial Analysis
Keth Andrew A. Basco, Remy A. Espesor Jr, and Rojee J. Celiz
EEE Department, Mindanao State University – General Santos City
General Santos City, Philippines
Abstract - This research study titled
"GIS Application on Hydropower Potential in
Lake Sebu, South Cotabato" aimed to assess
the hydropower potential in the Lake Sebu
area using GIS technology. By analyzing
diverse geospatial data sources, including
DEMs, stream network data, rainfall data,
land cover data, and hydrologic soil group
data, the study employed various GIS
techniques and analysis in QGIS to identify
suitable locations for hydropower projects,
assess their feasibility, and evaluate key
factors influencing hydropower potential.
The research findings revealed significant
hydropower potential in Lake Sebu,
attributed to favorable topography, ample
rainfall, and suitable land cover. The study's
comprehensive map indicated potential sites
for hydropower development based on
analyzed data and assessment results. The
results provide valuable insights for
decision-making and strategic planning in
the hydropower sector, offering a potential
solution to address the increasing global
power shortage. Furthermore, the study
identified a maximum hydropower potential
of 4 Megawatts in Lake Sebu, South
Cotabato, with eight different catchments.
Factors such as flow accumulation,
elevation, and slope were crucial in
determining hydropower potential, and
using QGIS tools enabled researchers to
identify areas with optimal conditions for
hydropower development.
I. Introduction
South Cotabato, a province in the
Philippines' Mindanao region, has abundant
untapped renewable energy resources,
including solar, hydro, and wind energy.
These resources offer cost-effective options
for electricity generation and can contribute
to the province's energy self-reliance. The
region boasts high-temperature geothermal
areas, powerful waterfalls, and areas with
high wind potential.
A study focused on Lake Sebu in
South Cotabato, utilizing Geographic
Information System (GIS), aimed to map and
analyze hydropower energy sources. This
mapping helps in understanding the trade-
offs between economic development and
environmental considerations. By identifying
suitable areas for development, informed
decisions can be made based on
comprehensive data. The topography and
landscape of Lake Sebu make it a promising
site for hydropower generation.
The study emphasized the
importance of factors such as topographical
setting, stream network, and catchment area
in identifying potential hydropower sites.
Assessing hydropower potential involves
considering the size of the catchment area,
runoff rate, falling height (head), water
density, and gravitational pull.
The analysis utilized the
Geographical Modeling module in the QGIS
software tool, providing insights into the
potential power generation in megawatts
(MW) and identifying specific sites suitable
for hydropower projects in Lake Sebu, South
Cotabato.
II. Statement of the problem
The need for electricity is rapidly
increasing, especially in developing
countries. There is vast hydropower
potential existing globally that has not yet
been explored. This could be the only
solution to solve future global power
shortage. Hydropower is a clean and
renewable source of energy because it does
not exploit the use of water. However, using
the conventional approach to harness
hydropower results in several challenges [3].
Choosing appropriate locations and
evaluating site potential are challenging
tasks when hydropower projects are still in
the design stages. This study integrated a
Geographic Information System (GIS), Raster
Calculation, and the SCS-CN runoff
calculation to assess the run-of-river
hydropower potential in Lake Sebu, South
Cotabato.
In order to optimize the area for
mapping potential hydropower energy
sources at Lake Sebu, South Cotabato, the
researchers proposed this study to offer a
solution. Using the QGIS (Quantum
Geographical Information System) program,
potential sites and possible locations for
Hydropower Potential are mapped.
III. Significance of the study
Community - This study is beneficial
for the community, especially those within
close proximity to running water where run-
of-river systems are applicable. It allows
them to determine the potential power
production that could be generated in that
specific section of the river. Generating
power without the use of fossil fuels helps
reduce the community's vulnerability to
climate change. This is made possible
through the continued growth of
hydroelectric energy.
The Researchers - This research enables the
researchers to identify potential
hydroelectric power generation using GIS
applications. It provides insights into the
methodologies, tools, and techniques
employed in the study, expanding their
understanding and knowledge in this field.
Future Researchers - This study serves as a
valuable reference for future researchers
interested in the development of GIS
mapping for potential hydropower. It
provides a foundation for further research
and exploration in utilizing GIS for assessing
hydropower potential.
IV. Definition of Terms
Digital Elevation Model (DEM) - is a
digital depiction of the Earth's topography
that shows the height or elevation values of
the terrain over a specific geographic region.
It is presented as a grid of elevation values,
with each pixel or cell in the grid
representing a distinct location on the
Earth's surface and holding the
corresponding elevation information. DEMs
find extensive application in diverse domains
like hydrology, geology, urban planning, and
environmental modeling. They are used for
analyzing terrain, calculating slopes,
determining visibility ranges, and conducting
other spatial assessments.
The Strahler order - is a technique employed
to classify the hierarchical arrangement of
streams in a river network. It involves
assigning a numerical value, known as the
Strahler order, to each segment of the
stream, considering the hierarchical
structure of the entire stream system. The
Strahler order of a particular stream
segment is determined by the number of
tributaries it receives. When two streams
with the same order converge, the resulting
stream obtains the next higher order. This
method aids in comprehending the features
and structure of river systems.
Runoff - is the movement of water across the
Earth's surface, which happens when there
is precipitation or when snow melts. It
occurs when the water does not soak into
the soil or get absorbed by plants, but
instead flows over the land and eventually
enters bodies of water like streams, rivers, or
lakes. Runoff is an important part of the
water cycle and is affected by factors like soil
composition, vegetation, slope, and the
intensity of rainfall.
Nearest neighbor - is a spatial analysis
technique that determines the closest
neighboring feature or point to a specific
feature or point of interest. This method,
widely utilized in geography, computer
science, and data analysis, helps identify the
nearest neighbor by calculating the distance
between the target feature and its closest
counterpart. By doing so, it offers valuable
information about the arrangement of
features within a dataset, revealing spatial
distribution and clustering patterns.
Curve number - refers to a parameter used
in hydrological modeling to estimate the
potential runoff from a particular land area.
The curve number represents the combined
effect of land cover, soil type, and
antecedent moisture conditions on the
infiltration capacity of the land. It is a
dimensionless value that ranges from 0 to
100, with lower values indicating higher
infiltration rates and higher values indicating
lower infiltration rates.
Land cover - encompasses the natural and
artificial elements present on the Earth's
surface, encompassing vegetation, water
bodies, soil, and human-made structures. It
holds significant importance in
comprehending the makeup and spatial
organization of the Earth's surface and finds
application in environmental and land
management endeavors. The classification
of land cover involves the procedure of
grouping and delineating diverse land cover
categories by considering their distinct
attributes and spectral characteristics.
Catchment - refers to a geographical region
delineated by natural features like hills,
mountains, or ridges, where all surface
water, including rainfall and melted snow,
converges and flows towards a central
outlet, such as a river, lake, or reservoir. It
represents the extent of a drainage basin,
encompassing all the land and water areas
that contribute runoff to a specific focal
point. The catchment area holds significant
importance in managing water resources,
controlling floods, and conducting
hydrological modeling.
Stream - is a continuous flowing water body
that follows a defined channel with a bed
and banks, varying in size from small creeks
to larger rivers. Streams are vital
components of the water cycle, transporting
water from higher to lower elevations and
eventually feeding into larger bodies of
water like lakes, reservoirs, or the ocean.
They possess distinct characteristics such as
flow, velocity, volume, and channel
structure. Streams foster diverse
ecosystems, offer habitats for aquatic
organisms, and serve as essential water
sources for human endeavors.
Head drop - refers to the reduction in
hydraulic head or pressure occurring
between two specific points in a fluid flow
system. It signifies the dissipation of energy
experienced by the fluid due to factors like
friction, turbulence, or changes in elevation.
Head drop is commonly observed in
pipelines, channels, or similar conduits used
for fluid transportation. It holds significant
relevance in fluid mechanics and
engineering applications as it influences the
flow rate, efficiency, and overall
performance of the system. The magnitude
of the head drop is typically measured by
calculating the difference in hydraulic head
or pressure between the upstream and
downstream points. It is commonly
expressed in units of length, such as meters
or feet, and is a crucial factor to consider in
the design and analysis of hydraulic systems
and processes.
V. Conceptual Framework
VI. Research Design
VII. Requirement Specification
A. Data Gathering. is a crucial step
in analyzing hydropower potential in a study
area. The process involves gathering
necessary information, including the Digital
Elevation Model (DEM), precipitation data,
land cover and land use data, and hydrologic
soil type data. The DEM provides elevation
values, obtained from reliable sources such
as topographic maps or satellite imagery.
Precipitation data is collected from
meteorological stations to understand
rainfall patterns and estimate water
availability. Land cover and land use data
help assess vegetation, human activities, and
their impacts on water resources. Hydrologic
soil type data provides insights into soil
characteristics and their influence on water
movement and retention. Overall, these
collected data inform the analysis of
hydropower potential in the study area.
B. Preprocessing and Analysis
.Preprocessing is a crucial step in data
analysis, involving transformations, cleaning,
and organizing datasets. In the case of the
DEM data, preprocessing includes quality
checks, error removal, and addressing sink
areas. Tools like FILL and Flow Direction aid
in removing sinks and determining flow
directions. Once preprocessed, the data is
ready for analysis. Integration of processed
DEM data with other datasets like
precipitation, land cover, and hydrologic soil
type is done using GIS software. Various
analysis techniques and models can then be
applied to assess the hydropower potential
in the study area.
C. GIS Data Integration and Spatial
Analysis. The process involves integrating
geospatial datasets and applying spatial
analysis techniques to understand the
spatial distribution and characteristics of
hydropower resources. Relevant datasets,
including DEM, land cover, and hydrological
data, are gathered and imported into a GIS
software platform. Integration involves
aligning and overlaying the datasets to
ensure consistency. Spatial analysis
techniques are then applied to extract
information on hydropower potential, such
as terrain analysis for suitable slope and
elevation conditions, and watershed analysis
for assessing water availability.
D. Flow Direction and Flow
Accumulation. Flow direction analysis is
conducted on the DEM dataset using an
appropriate tool or algorithm to determine
the steepest down-slope direction for each
pixel, representing the path of water flow.
This analysis assigns a unique code or value
to each pixel indicating its flow direction. The
flow accumulation analysis, performed using
another tool or algorithm, generates a raster
layer that shows the accumulated flow for
each cell in the DEM. This layer estimates the
total drainage area or flow accumulation at
each location by counting the contributing
pixels. The resulting flow direction and flow
accumulation raster layers can be further
processed and visually analyzed to
understand the patterns of water flow in the
study area. Color schemes or symbology can
be applied to represent flow direction and
magnitude, aiding in the identification of
drainage networks, watershed boundaries,
and areas with high potential for water flow
or streamflow.
E. Watershed Delineation. An
essential step in hydrological analysis
involves delineating the boundaries of
drainage basins or watersheds in a given
study area. This process helps in
understanding the movement of water,
identifying the areas that contribute to a
specific point, and evaluating various
hydrological parameters. Flow accumulation
analysis, based on flow direction, is
performed to calculate the accumulated
flow or contributing area for each cell. This
analysis determines the number of cells that
contribute flow to a particular cell, indicating
the relative magnitude of flow within the
watershed. Following the flow accumulation
analysis, a threshold value is often used to
determine the outlets or pour points that
mark the starting points of each watershed
or drainage basin.
F. Integration of SCS-CN. The
integration of the Soil Conservation Service
(SCS) Curve Number (CN) with sub-basin
areas involves several steps. These steps
include classifying land cover, identifying
hydrologic soil types, assigning CN values,
and dividing the study area into sub-basins.
Land cover is categorized based on
vegetation, impervious surfaces, and soil
types, while hydrologic soil types are
determined based on their water-related
characteristics. Each combination of land
cover and soil type is assigned a specific CN
value that represents the runoff potential.
The study area is then divided into sub-
basins based on topographic features and
drainage patterns. By integrating the
assigned CN values with the sub-basin areas,
the runoff potential can be estimated, and
the hydrological response within each sub-
basin can be understood. This integration
provides valuable information for water
management, land use planning, and
decision-making related to resource
management.
G. Hydro Power Calculation.
Hydropower is generated by converting the
potential energy of falling water into kinetic
energy. This process involves using turbines
to drive mechanical energy, which then
operates generators to produce electrical
energy. The theoretical power of
hydropower can be calculated using the
formula P = ρ × g × Q × h, where P represents
the theoretical potential power (in watts), ρ
is the density of water (1000 kg/m3), g is the
acceleration due to gravity (9.81 m/s2), Q is
the flow rate or discharge of water (in cubic
meters per second), and h is the head or
elevation difference (in meters). This
formula helps estimate the potential power
that can be generated based on the flow rate
and elevation difference of the water source.
H....Spatial Representation of
Hydro Power Potential Site. Hydropower
involves converting the potential energy of
falling water into usable electrical energy.
This is achieved by utilizing turbines and
generators. The theoretical power of
hydropower can be calculated using the
formula P = ρ × g × Q × h, where P is the
potential power, ρ is the density of water, g
is the acceleration due to gravity, Q is the
flow rate of water, and h is the elevation
difference. This formula helps estimate the
potential power based on the flow rate and
elevation of the water source.
VIII. Implementation
A…..Data Acquisition and
Preparation. This process involves
collecting various data, such as digital
elevation models (DEMs), flow direction and
strahler order data, rainfall data, land
use/land cover data, and hydrologic soil
group data. Data acquisition involves
obtaining these data sets from reliable
sources, such as satellite imagery,
hydrological databases, meteorological
records, and land cover classification
datasets. The data is then processed and
prepared for analysis by cleaning, aligning,
and organizing it in a suitable format.
B. Flow Direction and Flow
Accumulation calculation. These
calculations help identify suitable locations
for hydropower development based on the
availability and characteristics of water G. Discharge calculation Discharge
resources. Flow direction analysis refers to the amount of water passing
determines the natural paths that water through a given cross-sectional area of a
follows, indicating the direction of water watercourse per unit of time, usually
flow within the study area. Flow measured in cubic meters per second (m³/s)
accumulation analysis quantifies the or cubic feet per second (cfs). It is a critical
accumulation of water across the landscape. parameter in assessing hydropower
It measures the volume of water that potential because it directly relates to the
collects in different areas within the available water resources that can be utilized
watershed, providing a measure of the for power generation.
available water supply.
H. Hydro Power Potential
C. Stream Network and Watershed Calculations. This method is based on the
Delineation Stream network analysis helps fundamental principles of fluid mechanics
identify the interconnected network of rivers and the relationship between key
and streams, while watershed delineation parameters such as water density, annual
defines the boundaries of individual discharge, falling height or head, and gravity.
drainage basins or catchment areas. These Hydropower potential development sites
analyses provide essential information for were quantified by
assessing the potential of hydropower
calculating certain power outputs at
generation.
potential site. The power potential (P) in
Watts (W) was calculated using the formula
P=q*m*g*h
D. Head Drop Calculation. This
approach allows you to quantify the J. Hydropower potential sites. In
difference in elevation between a location this section, the analysis is centered on
and its nearest neighbor, providing valuable identifying potential hydropower sites
information for hydrological analysis, within the stream network, with a specific
engineering design, and other applications focus on run-of-river projects.
related to water flow and terrain analysis.
IX Results and discussion
E. Curve Number calculation. This
method assess the water retention and A. Flow Direction Map
runoff characteristics of the land within a
given area. Curve numbers are used as an
indicator of the soil's ability to absorb rainfall
and determine the amount of water that
infiltrates the soil or becomes surface runoff.
These calculations are crucial for
understanding the hydrological processes
and estimating the availability and
distribution of water resources, which
directly influence hydropower potential.
F. Runoff Calculation. Runoff
calculations involve analyzing factors such as
precipitation data, land cover, slope, soil
characteristics, and land use patterns. By
integrating these data layers, GIS can
simulate the movement of water across the
The figure above represents the
landscape, identifying areas with high runoff
natural direction of water flow within a given
potential.
area, typically depicted as a raster dataset. It
indicates the path that water follows as it
drains from higher elevations to lower
elevations.
B. Flow Accumulation Map
The figure above represents the
accumulated flow of water in a specific area
within a watershed. It is derived from the
flow direction map and provides information
about the volume of water that contributes
to a particular location.
C. Watershed Map
The figure above depicts the
delineated watersheds overlaid with the
stream network. The map provides a
comprehensive view of the hydrological
characteristics and connectivity within the
study area.
D. Head Drop Map
The figure above represents the
change in elevation or height of the water
surface between two points within a river or
stream network. It is an important factor in
assessing the potential energy that can be
harnessed for hydropower generation.
E. Curve Number Map
The figure above represents the
distribution of curve numbers across a given
area. Curve numbers are used to estimate
the runoff potential and water retention
characteristics of the land surface.
 F. Annual Runoff Map
The figure above represents the
spatial distribution of the total runoff
volume across a given area for a specific time
period, usually a year. It provides
information on the amount of water that is
expected to flow over the land surface and
contribute to streams and rivers in a
particular region.
G. Discharge Map
The figure above represents the
spatial distribution of water flow rates or
discharge values within a river network or
watershed. It provides information about
the amount of water passing through
specific locations or sections of rivers or
streams.
H. Hydropower Map
The figure above represents the
spatial distribution of areas with significant
potential for hydropower generation. It
identifies locations that are favorable for
harnessing the power of water to generate
electricity.
I. Hydropower Potential Sites (A)
The figure above shows a specific
area that holds significant promise due to a
proposed project by Euro Hydro. This area
aligns with the capacity of a planned mini
hydropower plant, which is expected to
generate 1.5 MW of electricity.
 J. Hydropower Potential Sites (B)
The above figure shows a particular
location that exhibits a considerable
hydropower potential, with an estimated
capacity to generate approximately 2 MW of
electrical power. The precise coordinates
allow for the accurate identification and
mapping of this site, highlighting its
significance in terms of renewable energy
resources.
K. Hydropower Potential Sites (C)
This above figure represents an area
of significant interest due to its higher power
generation capability compared to other
locations. The identified capacity of 4 MW
highlights the substantial potential for
hydropower development at this specific
point, emphasizing its significance in the
overall assessment of the study area.
X. Recommendations
A. Conduct on-site visits and field
surveys to validate the findings and
predictions derived from the QGIS analysis.
This will provide more accurate data and
enhance the reliability of the results.
B. Explore more advanced spatial
analysis techniques and tools in QGIS to
enhance the accuracy and precision of the
hydropower potential assessment. This may
include incorporating more detailed data
sources, utilizing advanced interpolation
methods, or integrating remote sensing data
for improved analysis.
C. Explore the availability of high-
resolution satellite imagery data for the
study area. Acquire and incorporate these
datasets to improve the resolution and
accuracy of the maps. Higher resolution data
can provide more detailed information on
land cover types, topography, and
hydrological features, resulting in more
precise pixel values for the hydropower
potential assessment.
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