Geospatial Analysis & Environmental
Topographic Survey & GIS Mapping — Irrigation Scheme Development, Eastern Uganda
Overview:
Cadron Consult was engaged to provide the geospatial and environmental baseline for a smallholder irrigation scheme in Eastern Uganda. The design team required reliable terrain, land parcel, and land-use data across the proposed command area, together with environmental screening, to position canals, intake works, and access infrastructure with confidence.
Approach:
A survey control network was established with RTK GNSS tied to the national geodetic grid, and UAV photogrammetry was flown across the command area to produce orthomosaics and a digital elevation model, with total station ground-truthing in vegetated and built-up sections. Cadastral boundaries were captured and verified with landowners and local leaders to reduce future disputes, while environmental and social screening was carried out along the proposed canal corridors. All outputs were compiled into a layered GIS database and handed over to the engineering design team.
Technical specifications:
Control: RTK GNSS network tied to the national geodetic grid
Capture: UAV photogrammetry with total station ground-truthing
Outputs: orthomosaic, DEM with 0.5 m contours, and 12 GIS thematic layers
Cadastre: 300+ parcels mapped and verified with landowners
Screening: environmental and social baseline along canal corridors
Results:
The terrain model allowed the designers to optimise canal alignments for gravity flow, reducing earthworks and pumping requirements. Verified parcel data prevented boundary disputes from delaying implementation, and the layered GIS database now serves as the scheme's permanent planning and operations record. Environmental screening cleared the corridor with practical mitigation measures built directly into the engineering design.
1,500 Ha
of command area surveyed and mapped
300+
land parcels captured and verified with landowners
12
GIS thematic layers delivered to the design team
