NWDTW 2024

How would you like to put satellites and the international space station to work for your water-quality projects? The availability of remote sensing tools for monitoring water quality continues to expand. This session will provide a primer on remote sensing for water quality, followed by several workflow examples based on use cases from the field. Examples will include tools developed just for you by the Remote Sensing for Water Quality project and related partnerships among Water Science Centers, the Water Mission Area, and the Hydrologic Remote Sensing Branch.

The introduction to satellites and water quality will overview types of data available from different satellite platforms including which satellites are related to which water-quality parameters. Workflows will cover where and how to access or request satellite data collection and demonstrate several tools. Examples include exploring historic and recent satellite imagery when developing a project sample plan, responding to on-the-ground conditions, and matching field data to satellite imagery. Imagery and related data products can be used to assess access for remote sites based on water levels and ice conditions. The wide spatial view can be used to confirm and track a developing algal bloom. Matching satellite data is important with prior field data, but future sampling can even be planned to coincide with some types of satellite data.

WMA tools include the “Satellite Overpass Calendar Tool” for paired satellite-field observations, the RSWQ dashboard, and improved imagery products for chlorophyll, turbidity, and temperature that are optimized specifically for water, instead of previous terrestrial products.