GIS data modeling in water management decision support systems

This article reviews the application of Geographic Information System (GIS) technology in the field of decision support systems for water management activities. These systems are particularly important in extreme, therefore dangerous, conditions like floods or draughts. The GIS concepts are contextually reviewed based on their use as spatial database for water management modeling, integration within hydrologic time courses and hydraulic modeling (from both software and management perspective). Hydrologic and hydraulic models are introduced and discussed according to their GIS integration potential. Decision Support Systems (DSS) concepts are reviewed with respect to their integration within GIS, and their relevance to water management problems.