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Estes, J. E.

Publications and source records attributed to Estes, J. E..

At least 73 records · Page 4

A perspective on the state of the art of photographic interpretation

Aerial photography and photographic interpretation are the cornerstone of remote sensing. Many interpretative techniques used on data from these more advanced or unconventional imaging systems are essentially extensions of techniques originally developed for the analysis of aerial photographic data. As research on the analysis and application of data from other than photographic imaging systems progresses, the role of the interpretation of aerial photography becomes more important. Any individual who wishes to practice the art of remote sensing data analysis must gain a thorough knowledge of the activities, elements and techniques of manual photographic/image interpretation. While the activities and elements of photo interpretation have remained essentially the same, technique development has continued to progress. Additional studies are proposed dealing with the basics of interactive processes.

Estes, J. E.↗

Automated image processing of LANDSAT 2 digital data for watershed runoff prediction

The U.S. Soil Conservation Service (SCS) model for watershed runoff prediction uses soil and land cover information as its major drivers. Kern County Water Agency is implementing the SCS model to predict runoff for 10,400 sq cm of mountainous watershed in Kern County, California. The Remote Sensing Unit, University of California, Santa Barbara, was commissioned by KCWA to conduct a 230 sq cm feasibility study in the Lake Isabella, California region to evaluate remote sensing methodologies which could be ultimately extrapolated to the entire 10,400 sq cm Kern County watershed. Digital results indicate that digital image processing of Landsat 2 data will provide usable land cover required by KCWA for input to the SCS runoff model.

Sasso, R. R.↗

Automated image processing of Landsat II digital data for watershed runoff prediction

Digital image processing of Landsat data from a 230 sq km area was examined as a possible means of generating soil cover information for use in the watershed runoff prediction of Kern County, California. The soil cover information included data on brush, grass, pasture lands and forests. A classification accuracy of 94% for the Landsat-based soil cover survey suggested that the technique could be applied to the watershed runoff estimate. However, problems involving the survey of complex mountainous environments may require further attention

Sasso, R. R.↗

Urban land use: Remote sensing of ground-basin permeability

A remote sensing analysis of the amount and type of permeable and impermeable surfaces overlying an urban recharge basin is discussed. An effective methodology for accurately generating this data as input to a safe yield study is detailed and compared to more conventional alternative approaches. The amount of area inventoried, approximately 10 sq. miles, should provide a reliable base against which automatic pattern recognition algorithms, currently under investigation for this task, can be evaluated. If successful, such approaches can significantly reduce the time and effort involved in obtaining permeability data, an important aspect of urban hydrology dynamics.

Tinney, L. R.↗

Remote sensing inputs to water demand modeling

In an attempt to determine the ability of remote sensing techniques to economically generate data required by water demand models, the Geography Remote Sensing Unit, in conjunction with the Kern County Water Agency of California, developed an analysis model. As a result it was determined that agricultural cropland inventories utilizing both high altitude photography and LANDSAT imagery can be conducted cost effectively. In addition, by using average irrigation application rates in conjunction with cropland data, estimates of agricultural water demand can be generated. However, more accurate estimates are possible if crop type, acreage, and crop specific application rates are employed. An analysis of the effect of saline-alkali soils on water demand in the study area is also examined. Finally, reference is made to the detection and delineation of water tables that are perched near the surface by semi-permeable clay layers. Soil salinity prediction, automated crop identification on a by-field basis, and a potential input to the determination of zones of equal benefit taxation are briefly touched upon.

Estes, J. E.↗

An analysis of the accuracy and cost-effectiveness of a cropland inventory utilizing remote sensing techniques

Cropland inventories utilizing high altitude and Landsat imagery were conducted in Kern County, California. It was found that in terms of the overall mean relative and absolute inventory accuracies, a Landsat multidate analysis yielded the most optimum results, i.e., 98% accuracy. The 1:125,000 CIR high altitude inventory is a serious alternative which can be very accurate (97% or more) if imagery is available for a specific study area. The operational remote sensing cropland inventories documented in this study are considered cost-effective. When compared to conventional survey costs of $62-66 per 10,000 acres, the Landsat and high-altitude inventories required only 3-5% of this amount, i.e., $1.97-2.98.

Jensen, J. R.↗

Application of ERTS-1 satellite imagery for land use mapping and resource inventories in the central coastal region of California

ERTS-1 satellite imagery has proved a valuable data source for land use as well as natural and cultural resource studies on a regional basis. ERTS-1 data also provide an excellent base for mapping resource related features and phenomena. These investigations are focused on a number of potential applications which are already showing promise of having operational utility.

Estes, J. E.↗

Water demand studies

The areas of focus of the Santa Barbara and Riverside groups in conducting water demand studies are the central and southern California regional test sites, respectively. Within each test site, sub-areas have been selected for use in the making of detailed investigations. Within each of these sub-areas an in-depth evaluation is being made as to the capability of remote sensing systems to provide pertinent data relative to water demand phenomena. These more limited sub-areas are: (1) Kern County and the San Joaquin Basin; (2) Chino-Riverside Basin; and (3) the Imperial Valley. Rational for the selection of these subareas included the following: Much of the previous remote sensing research had been conducted in these areas and therefore a great deal of remote sensing imagery and pertinent ground truth for the areas was already available.

Bowden, L. W.↗

Remote sensing for monitoring a water transportation project - The California Aqueduct

Land use changes were investigated on the west side of the San Joaquin Valley, California, an arid region presently importing water via the California Aqueduct, utilizing airphoto mosaics (1957), high-altitude photography (1971), and Earth Resources Technology Satellite (ERTS-1) data (1972). Attention was focused on land use characteristics for the three dates, changes which had occurred, and the sequence of land use category change. Research indicated that water importation was contributing to an overall pattern of regional change trending from an oil-producing and grazing area into a cropping region. Furthermore, the general pattern of specific category change was trending in the direction of higher economic intensity land use succession.

Estes, J. E.↗

An integrated study of earth resources in the state of California using remote sensing techniques

The University of California has been conducting an investigation which seeks to determine the usefulness of modern remote sensing techniques for studying various components of California's earth resources complex. Most of the work has concentrated on California's water resources, but with some attention being given to other earth resources as well and to the interplay between them and California's water resources.

Colwell, R. N.↗