Detecting Streamflow in Dryland Rivers Using CubeSats

Wang, Zhaocheng; Vivoni, Enrique R.

doi:10.1029/2022gl098729

Cited by 5 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 70 publications

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“…The approach would enable the production of hydrographic maps that better reflect the dynamic connections between all segments in river networks. Remote-sensing platforms with synthetic aperture radar (SAR) are better able to capture surface water blocked by clouds, vegetation or shadows than multi-spectral platforms such as LandSat or CubeSat 166,167 . Future use of high spatial and temporal resolution SAR datasets (for example, from NASA-ISRO SAR) to map NPRs, in tandem with advances in data interpretation 168 , could support better integration of NPRs in distributed hydrological models 169 .…”

Section: [H2] Improving River Network Managementmentioning

confidence: 99%

Non-perennial segments in river networks

Datry,

Boulton,

Fritz

et al. 2023

Nat Rev Earth Environ

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Non-perennial river segments-those that recurrently cease to flow or frequently dry-occur in all river networks, and are globally more abundant than perennial (always flowing) segments. However, research and management have historically focused on perennial river segments. In this Review, we outline how non-perennial segments are integral parts of river networks. Repeated cycles of flowing, non-flowing and dry phases in non-perennial segments influence biodiversity and ecosystem dynamics at different spatial scales, from individual segments to entire river networks. Varying configurations of perennial and non-perennial segments govern each river network's physical, chemical and ecological responses to changes in flow regimes, especially in response to human activities. The extent of non-perennial segments in river networks has increased due to warming, changing hydrological patterns and human activities, and this increase is expected to continue.Moreover, the dry phases of flow regimes are expected to be longer, drier, and more frequent, albeit with high regional variability. These changes will likely impact biodiversity, potentially tipping some ecosystems to compromised stable states. Effective river network management must recognize ecosystem services (such as flood risk management and groundwater recharge) provided by nonperennial segments and ensure their legislative and regulatory protection, which is often lacking.

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Section: [H2] Improving River Network Managementmentioning

confidence: 99%

Non-perennial segments in river networks

Datry,

Boulton,

Fritz

et al. 2023

Nat Rev Earth Environ

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“…For the 2018 event, areas inside channels showed a much lower ΔNIR than those outside the channel (Figure 4b). The contrasting behavior of ΔNIR when water was present in the channel was also observed in a nearby ephemeral river [30]. By using an ΔNIR threshold of −0.05, a flood extent map of the 2018 event was generated (Figure 4e).…”

Section: Flood Mapping From Cubesat Nir Imagerymentioning

confidence: 78%

“…The CubeSat fleet provides imagery in the visible (red, blue, and green) and near-infrared (NIR) bands with 3 m resolution on a near daily basis. With the combination of very high spatial and temporal resolution, PS imagery is emerging as a useful tool to monitor fast changes in surface conditions, such as vegetation phenology [41,42], river ice velocity [43], surface water areas [44,45], and streamflow presence [30] across different climatic zones. In arid regions, change detection of surface water is aided by sharp contrasts between wet and dry areas [30].…”

Section: Planetscope Imagerymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In comparison, spatially continuous remote sensing observations are effective in mapping the areal extent of flooding, providing valuable information for post-flood damage analysis [27][28][29]. Flooding effects are often evident in the near-infrared surface reflectance due to the sharp contrast between standing water (or moist soil) and relatively dry surrounding areas [30]. However, most satellite sensors have either low spatial resolution or low revisiting times, limiting their capacity to detect monsoon-induced flooding which can have a short duration (~1 to 12 h) over small spatial extents (~1 to 10 km 2 ) [22,31].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Mapping Flash Flood Hazards in Arid Regions Using CubeSats

Wang

Vivoni²

2022

Remote Sensing

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Flash flooding affects a growing number of people and causes billions of dollars in losses each year with the impact often falling disproportionally on underdeveloped regions. To inform post-flood mitigation efforts, it is crucial to determine flash flooding extents, especially for extreme events. Unfortunately, flood hazard mapping has often been limited by a lack of observations with both high spatial and temporal resolution. The CubeSat constellation operated by Planet Labs can fill this key gap in Earth observations by providing 3 m near-daily multispectral imagery at the global scale. In this study, we demonstrate the imaging capabilities of CubeSats for mapping flash flood hazards in arid regions. We selected a severe storm on 13–14 August 2021 that swept through the town of Gila Bend, Arizona, causing severe flood damages, two deaths, and the Declaration of a State of Emergency. We found the spatial extent of flooding can be mapped from CubeSat imagery through comparisons of the near-infrared surface reflectance prior to and after the flash flood event (ΔNIR). The unprecedented spatiotemporal resolution of CubeSat imagery allowed the detection of ponded (ΔNIR ≤ −0.05) and flood-affected (ΔNIR ≥ +0.02) areas that compared remarkably well with the 100-year flood event extent obtained by an independent hydraulic modeling study. Our findings demonstrate that CubeSat imagery provides valuable spatial details on flood hazards and can support post-flood activities such as damage assessments and emergency relief.

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“…Given the stochastic nature of ephemeral stream run‐off, however, capturing floods in imagery—particularly, capturing cloud‐free imagery during or immediately following flooding—is difficult (e.g., Li et al, 2018; Rowberry et al, 2011). Despite these limitations, floodplain mapping from satellite‐based imagery, such as Landsat, has been possible in larger (>20 m width) ephemeral corridors, typically using reflectance in near infrared or short‐wave infrared bands to identify flooded pixels (Betancourt‐Suárez et al, 2021; Li et al, 2021; Wang & Vivoni, 2022). On smaller channels, drone‐based imagery has been used to delineate ephemeral stream corridors and floodplain extents (e.g., Andreadakis et al, 2020; Hamada et al, 2016), typically using topographic and vegetative indices during periods of low to no‐flow rather than the presence of water during flooding.…”

Section: Identifying and Classifying Ephemeral Stream Floodplainsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Recognizing the ephemeral stream floodplain: Identification and importance of flood zones in drylands

Scamardo,

Wohl

2023

Earth Surf Processes Landf

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Previous syntheses of the hydrologic, geomorphic and biotic functions of floodplains have largely integrated research conducted along perennial stream networks, despite a growing body of literature on analogous functional floodplain zones along ephemeral streams. Although variable inundation characteristic of ephemeral streams complicates the delineation between channel and floodplain, ephemeral stream floodplains are distinct landforms that are hypothesized to host similar ecosystem functions as perennial stream floodplains, including the attenuation of downstream fluxes and provision of habitat to diverse flora and fauna. Here, we review the literature on dryland ephemeral stream floodplains in order to identify: (1) common definitions and styles; (2) unique hydrologic, geomorphic and biotic functions separate from uplands or channels; (3) current and future anthropogenic and natural stressors to such functions; and (4) knowledge gaps regarding research on ephemeral stream floodplains. Although active floodplain definitions follow criteria commonly used in perennial stream corridors, the extent of ephemeral stream floodplains is typically defined by less frequent floods. A set of floodplain styles emerges from the literature dependent on confinement and the presence of channelized streamflow. Functions related to attenuation and storage are typically concentrated in unconfined, channelled floodplains. The temporary storage of sediment and subsurface water in ephemeral stream floodplains makes them disproportionately important for biogeochemical cycling and hosts to richer, denser and more diverse vegetation communities compared with surrounding uplands. Many functions of ephemeral stream floodplains are also found in perennial counterparts, but variable flow regimes and sediment loads in ephemeral streams can potentially impact rates and magnitudes of comparable processes and functions. Future research needs to incorporate a holistic view of the ephemeral stream corridor—including channels and floodplains—to better understand current and future fluvial processes and cascading impacts in drylands globally.

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Detecting Streamflow in Dryland Rivers Using CubeSats

Cited by 5 publications

References 70 publications

Non-perennial segments in river networks

Non-perennial segments in river networks

Mapping Flash Flood Hazards in Arid Regions Using CubeSats

Recognizing the ephemeral stream floodplain: Identification and importance of flood zones in drylands

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