12/12/2014

Assignment 3
Georeferencing of Scanned Aerial
Imagery and Change Detection

Matt Reaume
NORTHERN GEOSPATIAL SOLUTIONS

December 12, 2014

GISC9231
Janet Finlay
GISC Program Coordinator and Instructor
Niagara College
135 Taylor Road
Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON
L0S 1J0
Dear Ms. Finlay,
Re: GISC9231 - Deliverable 3: Georeferencing of Scanned Aerial Imagery and Change
Detection
Please accept this letter as my formal submission of deliverable three Georeferencing of Scanned
Aerial Imagery and Change Detection for the course GISC9231 Introduction to Remote Sensing.
The assignment served to provide an introduction to the georeferencing of aerial images and change
detection. This assignment is comprised of a detailed description of the components of image
interpretation and with a change analysis between the years 1921, 1934, and 2003. Throughout this
assignment a high level of understanding of remote sensing was achieved by analyzing change between
the aforementioned years, along with identifying land features by using image interpretation.
Should you have any questions regarding the enclosed documents, or if there are technical issues
regarding the files please contact us at your convenience at mkreaume9@gmail.com or at 226-3452440. Thank you for your time and attention. I look forward to your comments and suggestions.
Kindest Regards,

Matt Reaume BES

GIS GM Certificate Candidate
Niagara College
MR/
Enclosures:

Digital Copy:
a) Deliverable 3: Georeferencing of Scanned Aerial Imagery and Change Detection

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Table of Contents
1.0. Introduction ........................................................................................................................................... 1
1.1. Purpose .............................................................................................................................................. 1
1.2. Background ........................................................................................................................................ 1
1.3. Assignment Goal ................................................................................................................................ 1
2.0. Methodology.......................................................................................................................................... 2
3.0. Procedure ............................................................................................................................................... 2
1934 Aerial Images.................................................................................................................................... 2
Question a) ............................................................................................................................................ 2
Question b)............................................................................................................................................ 4
Question c) ............................................................................................................................................ 6
Question d)............................................................................................................................................ 7
Question e)............................................................................................................................................ 8
1921 Aerial Images.................................................................................................................................... 9
Question f) ............................................................................................................................................ 9
2002 Satellite Imagery ............................................................................................................................ 11
Question g) .......................................................................................................................................... 11
Question h).......................................................................................................................................... 13
Question i) ........................................................................................................................................... 14
Question k) .......................................................................................................................................... 18
4.0 Conclusion ............................................................................................................................................. 20
5.0 References ............................................................................................................................................ 21

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List of Figures
Figure 1. Third Canal, 1934: Inactive............................................................................................................. 3
Figure 2. Fourth Canal, 1934: Active ............................................................................................................. 4
Figure 3. Location A: Striations ..................................................................................................................... 5
Figure 4. Location B: Rail Line ....................................................................................................................... 6
Figure 5. Location C: Pond.................................................................................................... 7
Figure 6. Narrow Stream North of Pond ....................................................................................................... 7
Figure 7. Location E: Farmland...................................................................................................................... 8
Figure 8. Third Welland, 1921 Canal: Active ................................................................................................. 9
Figure 9. Fourth Welland Canal: Inactive .................................................................................................... 10
Figure 10. Fourth Canal, 2003: Active ......................................................................................................... 11
Figure 11. Third Canal, 2003: Inactive......................................................................................................... 12
Figure 12. Fuller Plan, 1921......................................................................................................................... 14
Figure 13. Fuller Plan, 1934......................................................................................................................... 15
Figure 14. Fuller Plan, 1934......................................................................................................................... 16
Figure 15. Striations: 1921 .......................................................................................................................... 17
Figure 16. Striations: 1934 .......................................................................................................................... 17
Figure 17. Striated Area: 2003 .................................................................................................................... 17
Figure 18. 1921 Aerial Photographs of the Welland Canal ......................................................................... 18
Figure 19. 1934 Aerial Photographs of the Welland Canal ......................................................................... 19

List of Tables
Table 1: Visibility of Locks in the Years 1934 and 2003 17

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1.0. Introduction
1.1. Purpose
The purpose of this assignment is to gain a practical ability to georeference aerial
images using ESRIs ArcGIS, and to gain a basic practical familiarity with the undertaking and
reporting of a change detection analysis.

1.2. Background
The Welland Canal opened in 1829 to link Lake Erie and Ontario together to offer ships a
safe route around the un-navigable Niagara River and Niagara Falls, in which the Welland Canal
has served a critical role in the economic prosperity of Canada. The canal averages
approximately 3,400 ships annually, which consist of about 900 that are oceangoing. This
project was originally promoted and lobbied for by St. Catharines businessman William
Hamilton Merrit when he initially wanted to build a feeder canal to run the mills on his family
property. In 1824, Merrit developed the Welland Canal Company to begin construction of a
canal connecting Lake Erie and Lake Ontario. Since then, the canal has been rebuilt and
expanded four times since its original configuration. Remotely sensed data has been collected
for examination of the history of the Welland Canal by using change detection analysis and
georeference.

1.3. Assignment Goal

The goal of this assignment is to answer questions relating to the Welland Canal and
examine the components of image interpretation to develop a change analysis between the

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years of 1921, 1934, and 2003. This is done by relating to the construction of the canal and the
surrounding areas, which is based off of aerial imagery for the aforementioned periods.

2.0. Methodology
Throughout the years of 1921, 1934, and 2003, three types of images were given to
analyze the change in the Welland Canal. The IKONOS image, 2003, was provided with four
bands (green, blue, red, and near-infrared) and has been already georeferenced by Space
Imaging Inc. This multispectral image was used to georeference control points on the three
non-georeferenced scanned aerial images for 1934, and four scanned images for 1921. In order
to find these control points, the Georeference tool in ArcMap was used to complete this task.
After the control points were found a series of observations were undertaken to assess the
change in the Welland Canal throughout the years.

3.0. Procedure
1934 Aerial Images
Question a)
The operational status of each of the canals in 1934 can be identified by using image
interpretation such as discussing the tone, shape, size, texture, shadow, pattern, and
association. The third canal and fourth canal have different features as described below.
The third canal, shown in Figure 1, below is no longer in use and can be explained by the
components of image interpretation. The tone is dark around the edges of the canal, which
states that the water elevation is low. The shape and size of the canal is diminishing due to a

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dam being constructed towards the bottom of the third canal. The shadows are shown
alongside the edges of the locks and reservoirs, which like the tone indicate the water elevation
level is low, and the pattern of the locks and reservoirs come to an end due to the construction
of the dam. Lastly, the association indicates the canal is no longer in use because of the dam
being constructed towards the bottom of the canal. In conclusion the third Welland Canal is not
operational given the components of image interpretation.

Figure 1. Third Canal, 1934: Inactive

The fourth canal, shown in Figure 2 below, is still in use and can be explained by the
components of image interpretation. The tone of the feature is bright, which states that there is
a high water elevation level. The texture is smooth indicating there is an abundance of water
and the flow is consistent, the shape of the canal does not change throughout, and the size is
relatively the same throughout the canal. This consistent shape and size of the canal shows
there has not been any change or that there is any change in process. There are some
noticeable shadows in the area of the canal, but these shadows clarify the canal is still in use
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because they are located near the active bridges along the Welland Canal. There are no
noticeable patterns shown throughout the canal, and the association indicates that there are
roads running across the canal at the intersections of the bridges to clarify the bridge is active.
Also, with the help of the 1921 image, it is clearly evident that the fourth canal was under
construction, thus being completed by 1934, which will be explained further in Question f).

Figure 2. Fourth Canal, 1934: Active

Question b)
The wedge shaped formation at Location A that is found just to the right of the fourth
canal are the result of construction and development of the canal in the past. By referring to
the 1921 aerial images, the canal was not completed and the striations appeared to be brighter
due to the heavy activity in the area. Striations are common in the development of canals
because the layers of the earth must be stripped away in order to remove sediment at the
bottom of the canal. The components of image interpretation will help clarify the features
identity.

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The tone of the feature has multiple bright

lines within the wedge-shaped feature that
indicate the area was experiencing heavy activity
during the time of construction. The shape as
mentioned above represents a wedge and the
size of feature is large due to the size of the
project (construction and development of the
canal). The texture is rough and it is hard to
distinguish the features of the surface, which
means that the surface must have rocks or coarse

Figure 3. Location A: Striations

sediment that was from stripping away layers of the earth. The texture appears rough because
coarse sediment does not reflect light as well as fine sediment does. There is a noticeable
pattern on the feature that is caused by the construction workers working in rows as the
elevation decreases. These patterns display multiple linear features within the feature itself.
The elevation change can be seen due to the shadows of each layer stripped away from the
Earths surface. The association of the canal nearby the striations help clarify the wedge-shaped
feature was caused by the creation of the fourth canal.

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Question c)
The linear feature at Location B represents an abandon rail line that once proceeded
through the Fuller Plan lands underneath the third Welland Canal. This abandon rail line has
become the center of local attention due to supposedly being haunted by ghosts of two
fireman that were killed just west of the rail line. The rail line is known today as the Blue Ghost
Tunnel because of stories of people seeing a blue light in the tunnel.
As shown in Figure 4, the rail line did
not appear to be active in 1934 because the
tone is very dark, which is caused by the
shadows in the middle of the rail line that
indicate the rail line has been excavated. The
surrounding tone and texture of the vegetation
clarifies the rail line has not been in use
because the roughness indicates the vegetation
has overgrown and has not been maintained
unlike an active rail line. The rail line has a
linear shape that helps clarify its identity and

Figure 4. Location B: Rail Line

the size is similar to the locks nearby within the third Welland Canal. There does not seem to
be any distinguishable pattern, and the association of the canal finalize its identity as a rail line,
Blue Ghost Tunnel, due to the history of Welland Canals.

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Question d)
The pond at Location C, shown in Figure 5, did not exist in 1921, and therefore had to
be created artificially. The fourth Welland Canal to the left of the pond did not exist in 1921,
which forms multiple hypothesis that the pond could have been created as a result of the
formation of the fourth canal and other surrounding features. There is a dark-toned linear
feature above and below the pond that could be the cause of the pond, shown in Figure 6.
There is also a farmland to the left of the pond as well, which means runoff from the crop field
could have filled the pond over time. Lastly, the striations could be the cause of the artificial
pond because when there is rainfall, the rain travels down the different elevations of the
striated area and creates a pond. In conclusion, the association of the pond feature helps clarify
its existence because of the narrow stream to the north and south of the pond, and the fourth
canal and farmland to the west of the pond, along with the striations to the north. Therefore,
due to the multiple hypothesis, these features could have a strong correlation with the
existence of the pond in 1934.

Figure 5. Location C: Pond

Figure 6. Narrow Stream North of Pond

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Question e)
The area at Location E represents a
farmland, shown below in Figure 7, which
existed in 1921 and was slowly dissipating in
1934. The identity of the farmland can be
clarified by referring to the 1921 aerial images
and by the tones, texture, pattern, size, shape,
and association of the feature. The feature in
1921 did not show any striations within the
area, and the tones and shape is easily
comparable to other farmlands in past
assignments and aerial photographs. However, in

Figure 7. Location E: Farmland

1934, striations existed to the right of the feature, which indicate the earth was being stripped
away from its layers and the area must not have been maintained.
The tones of the feature suggest heavy activity in the area due to the bright linear
features within the area. This could have been caused by the construction of the canal from
1921 to 1934 leading to the collapse of the farmland. There are also multiple linear features
that form patterns vertically, which indicates plow lines, but judging by the surrounding area,
the area must not have been maintained around the time this photograph was taken. The
texture is rough, which means there is heavy activity with the area from the aftermath of the
creation of the fourth Welland Canal. The shape of the feature resembles a farmland due to
multiple patches of land combined together and the size is justified, as well the location. In
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1921, the fourth canal was not yet constructed, indicating the land was larger in area making
room for more farmland, but by 1934 the fourth canal was constructed ultimately reducing the
quality of the farmland. In conclusion, the feature in location E resembles a farmland due to the
comparison with the 1921 aerial photographs, the tone of the feature, shape, size, and pattern
of the plow lines within the feature.

1921 Aerial Images

Question f)
The operational status of each of the canals in 1921 can be identified by using image
interpretation such as, discussing the tone, shape, size, texture, shadow, pattern, and

association. The third and fourth Welland Canal have different features thats can be used to
distinguish the status of each canal, which is described below.
The third canal, shown in Figure 8
below, was operational during the year 1921
and can be explained by the components of
image interpretation. The tone is very light
throughout the third canal indicating there is
an abundance of water, which directly
correlates to the operational status at the
time. The texture is smooth because the
water is still and does not have any waves

Figure 8. Third Welland, 1921 Canal: Active

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due to the properties of a reservoir. The shape and size of the canal matches other active canals
in various aerial photographs, which was researched before conducting this explanation. There
are no shadows due to the high elevation of the water level, and there is no predominant
pattern that exist within the feature. In conclusion, the third Welland Canal does appear to be
operational given the components of image interpretation discussed above.
The operational status of the fourth
Welland Canal, shown in Figure 9 below, can
be explained by the components of image
interpretation. The tone of the feature
indicates that the canal is still under
construction, which can be seen by various
attributes within the feature itself. The
bright and dark shades throughout the
feature indicate there is an abundance of
coarse rocks, which can be identified from
the rough texture. The shape and size of the

Figure 9. Fourth Welland Canal: Inactive

feature does not resemble the same shape and size of the third Welland Canal previously
discussed above. This indicates that construction must be occurring and the developmental
process has not yet been completed. There are numerous shadows throughout the feature and
surrounding area that could replicate different pile ups of rocks and elevation levels due to the
construction. Lastly, the association of the feature clarify its operational status ultimately

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because of the striations to the right of the feature. In conclusion, the fourth Welland Canal
does not appear to be operational given the components of image interpretation discussed
above.

2002 Satellite Imagery

Question g)
The operational status of each of the
canals in 2003, by examining the IKONOS
imagery, can be identified by using image
interpretation such as, discussing the tone,
shape, size, texture, shadow, pattern, and
association. The third and fourth Welland
Canals have different features that can be
used to distinguish the status of each canal,
which is described below.
As seen in Figure 10, the fourth canal
was in operation in 2003 primary due to the
two ships that are present in the photographs.

Figure 10. Fourth Canal, 2003: Active

The tone of the water is bright and the texture of the water is smooth. These two component
indicate the water elevation level is high showing an abundance of water within the reservoir.
The shape and size of the feature of the canal resembles an active canal by the reduced amount
of vegetation that would have interfered with the rectangular shape and size. There are a

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minimal amount of shadows surrounding the border of the canal, whereas an abundance of
darker toned features along the edges would have indicated the canal has a decreased
elevation water level. Lastly, the association of the feature help clarify its operational status
due to the ships that are located in the canal the time the photograph was taken. These specific
images prove the fourth Welland Canal was in operation in 2003 via the IKONOS imagery.
The third Welland Canal, shown in
Figure 11, illustrates that the canal was not
operational because of the tone, texture,
shape, size, shadow, and association. By
examining the 2003 IKONOS imagery, the
third canal has a slightly darker tone than
the fourth canal due to the lower elevation
level of the water within the reservoir. The
texture is rough, which can be explained
by the excess vegetation growing over the
canal in the middle of the photograph. The

Figure 11. Third Canal, 2003: Inactive

shape is narrower than the fourth canal and the size is smaller, which indicates the canal is
closed. The shadows are noticeable on the border of the canal that clarifies the elevation level
of the water. The low elevation level could cause the water to be stagnant, and therefore
reduce the water level, which makes shadows more distinguishable. Lastly, the association of
the canal clarifies its operational status because the vegetation is much more excessive than

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the fourth canal. In conclusion, the operational status of the 2003 IKONOS imagery of the third
canal appears to be inactive.
Question h)
Table 2: Visibility of Locks in the Years 1934 and 2003

Lock Number

1934 Aerial
Images

11

Visible

Partly Visible

12

Visible

Partly Visible

13

Visible

Partly Visible

14

Visible

Partly Visible

15

Visible

Partly Visible

16

Partly Visible

Partly Visible

17

Visible

Partly Visible

18

Visible

Partly Visible

19

Partly Visible

Not Visible

Lock is hidden due

overgrown
vegetation.

Not Visible

The lock is
submerged due to
the construction of
other canal.

Comments

The lock is
completely
submerged in
water, which could
be due to the
construction of the
Fourth Canal

2003 Aerial
Images

20

Not Visible

21

Partly Visible

Partly Visible

22

Partly Visible

Partly Visible

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Comments

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23

Not Visible

Not shown on the

imagery

Not Visible

The lock no longer

exists.

24

Not Visible

Not shown on the

imagery

Not Visible

The lock no longer

exists.

Question i)
The Fuller Plan is bounded by the Canadian National Railway (C.N.R.) and two roads.
This parcel belonged to Reverend Thomas Fuller who originally had plans to subdivide the land
for housing. However, the plan was never put into action, as shown in the photographs below
for 1921, 1934, and 2003. Described below is an explanation of the features in each of the
aerial photographs in the aforementioned years, as well as a hypothesis as to why the
developmental plan to subdivide the land for housing was never put into action.
The aerial imagery of 1921 photograph,
shown in Figure 12, shows that the land is
potentially in the pre-development phase, given
the roads that run throughout the land and
already existing barns and farmland in the area.
Perhaps the plan has not yet been put into action,
and the development process is still being
discussed. The tones and textures of the land
feature illustrates vegetation and buildings

Figure 12. Fuller Plan, 1921

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within the area, as well as brighter linear features acting as roads. The area is vacant towards
the northern part of the image, which shows that the land is ready for the development and
construction phase of the plan/project.
The aerial imagery of 1934 photograph,
shown in Figure 13, shows that the area has been
cleared, which indicates the plan has been put
into action. The area has a bright tone that could
resemble heavy activity in the surrounding area
for the construction phase of the plan. The dark
toned vegetated features have been cleared, as
well as the buildings and farmland that existed in

Figure 13. Fuller Plan, 1934

the 1921 imagery. The texture is smoother than the 1921 aerial photograph, which could
indicate the land has been leveled and ready for houses to be constructed. There are shadows
on the northern part of the image that could represent piles of sediment due to the leveling
process of the land or river streams that resemble a wetland. Lastly, the shape and size appears
to have been reduced slightly becoming narrower, which could be to the development of new
roads in the surrounding area.

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By referring to the 2003 imagery, it is

clearly seen that the plan to build the houses
never began, and a hypothesis is needed. As seen
below in Figure 14, the land has been transformed
into a forest. The reason to why the housing
development has never been put into action, could
potentially be tied to the time period in the 1930s.
The Great Depression was a severe worldwide

Figure 14. Fuller Plan, 1934

economic depression in the decade preceding World War II. Within this time, the Fuller Plan
may have suffered an economic setback, which ultimately led to the abundance of vegetation
overgrowth in Figure 14.
Question j)

The striations located in 1921, along with the multiple linear features to the left is soil
and layers of the Earth that has been stripped away from the construction of the fourth
Welland Canal. As shown below in the 1921 photograph, Figure 15, the striations tone, texture,
shape, size, shadow, and pattern changes from 1921 to 1934. The 1934 photograph, Figure 16,
shows the striations have a darker tone and the shadows are more pronounced. This change is
due to the time between the two years. In 1921, the area was receiving heavy activity due to
the development of the fourth canal, and the smaller sediments reflected light easier. In 1934,
the area was less active because the canal was complete, and the coarse sediment over time

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does not reflect light as well as finer sediment. The shadows are more visible in 1934 because
of all the soil and sediment being layered accordingly, giving new elevations to the area.

Figure 16. Striations: 1934

Figure 15. Striations: 1921

In 1934, the canal was built and the area

to the left of the striations disappeared.
However, as the years passed, the 2003 image,
Figure 17, shows that no striations exist in the
area. Over time, the striated area has been
changed to vegetation, which has taken over the
sediment of past years. The area has been
planted with various types of trees, and appears
to be transformed into a forest next to the lower portion

Figure 17. Striated Area: 2003

of the fourth canal.

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Question k)

Figure 18. 1921 Aerial Photographs of the Welland Canal

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Figure 19. 1934 Aerial Photographs of the Welland Canal

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4.0 Conclusion
The aerial imagery provided from 1921, 1934, and 2003, was used to examine the
changes that existed in and around the surrounding area of the Welland Canal. ArcMap 10.2.2
was used to georeference and analyse the aerial imagery and make appropriate assumptions
between the aforementioned years. During the process of georeferencing the aerial imagery of
the different years, it became evident that the Welland Canal and the surrounding Niagara
Region area has gone through an immense amount of change. In conclusion, by examining the
components of image interpretation and georeferencing control points of the 1921, 1934, and
2003 imagery, an accurate and precise analysis in change detection can be achieved.

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5.0 References
Terms of Reference for Deliverable 9231-D3, 2014. GISC9231 Introduction to Remote Sensing.
Georeferencing of Scanned Aerial Imagery and Change Detection. Niagara College Glendale
Campus.

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