A Master’s thesis at the College of Agriculture, University of Kirkuk, discussed “The Use of Remote Sensing Technology in Rainwater Management and Harvesting in Southern Kirkuk Governorate” submitted by the student Renaz Abdulrahman Ahmed.
The study aimed to utilize remote sensing technologies and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to manage rainwater resources, identify the most suitable locations for implementing water-harvesting techniques in southern Kirkuk Governorate, and develop maps showing land areas suitable for rainwater harvesting.
The study concluded that remote sensing and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are effective tools for identifying potential rainwater collection sites and for planning the construction of barriers and dams to harvest and utilize these resources. The findings also demonstrated the effectiveness of the SCS-CN method in estimating surface runoff volumes within the major and secondary watersheds of the study area.
Furthermore, the study revealed that the region experiences high levels of surface runoff, leading to significant soil erosion and the loss of large quantities of rainwater—estimated at millions of cubic meters—without being utilized for agricultural purposes or human consumption. These findings highlight the importance of adopting water-harvesting strategies to improve water resource management and support sustainable agricultural development in the region.
