Remote Sensing 04.12.1998

Integrating remote sensing observations of flood hydrology and hydraulic modelling.

  • Bates, P.,
  • Horrit, M.,
  • Smith, C.,
  • Mason, D.
Intro

An early study demonstrating the potential of remotely sensed satellite data to help with the parameterization and validation of computational flood models.

The further development of two-dimensional finite element models of river flood flow is currently constrained by a lack of data for rigorous parameterization and validation. Remote sensing techniques have the potential to overcome a number of these constraints thereby allowing a research design for model development. This is illustrated with reference to a case study of a two-dimensional finite element model applied to the Missouri River, Nebraska and compared with a synchronous Landsat TM image of flood inundation extent. The case study allows research needs for the integration of hydraulic modelling and remote sensing to be defined.