Exploring Hydrological Analyses using SAGA GIS

Introduction to SAGA GIS

SAGA GIS stands for System for Automated Geoscienific Analyses. It is a Geographic Information System software program designed to easily and effectively implement spatial algorithms, for real world situations and education. This geospatial software offers a continuously growing comprehensive set of geoscientific tools/methods. The program has an accessible graphical user interface with various visualization options to help users easily operate the various analysis tools. SAGA is capable of running on both Windows and Linux operating systems. SAGA GIS also comes at no cost for the user because it is a Free Open Source Software for Geospatial analysis (FOSS4G). Being a FOSS4G program allows a high degree of freedom for the user; it allows the user to run the program for any geoscientific purpose, to modify the program, to redistribute copies of it, and to improve the program while sharing those improvements with the public. More information about this program is available at SAGA GIS's Website.

Data

Table 1. Data Files Used and Respective Data Sources for Okanagan Lake Hydrological Analysis

Data	Data Format	Data Source
Toponyms for Okanagan Region	Vector Points	Geogratis Layer: Dissemination Blocks - Cartographic Boundary File (DB-CBF), 2011 Census / Producer: Natural Resources Canada
Transportation Network	Vector Polyline	Geogratis Layer: Minor Water Regions (MNWTR) / Producer: Natural Resources Canada
Hydrography	Vector Polygon	Geogratis Layer: Parks and Recreation - Region / Producer: Natural Resources Canada
Digital Elevation Model (DEM)	Raster	Geogratis Layer: Canadian Digital Elevation Model Data / Producer: Natural Resources Canada
Okanagan Region Aspect Map	Raster	Created Data
DEM with Filled Sinks	Raster	Created Data
Catchment Area	Raster	Created Data
Topographic Wetness	Raster	Created Data