Information Management in Water Resources: Database and GIS Integration

Historically the management and analysis of large quantities of water resources related information has been time consuming and expensive. Until recently, the use of sophisticated geographic information systems and relational database management systems has been limited to major water resource management organizations that could afford required hardware and software. However, recent advances in the computer industry are making high powered computers available at significantly lower costs. As a result, smaller water resource management agencies across the country are investing in the ability to manage and analyze water resource related information. In some instances these agencies are integrating complex geographic information systems with relational database management systems. This paper presents a summary of knowledge relative to an integrated system that has been developed through the joint efforts of the Bureau of Reclamation, the Santa Ana Watershed Project Authority, and Diba Consulting Software Engineers.