A data assimilation approach to discharge estimation from space

• DOI: 10.1002/hyp.7518
• Publication Date: 2009-11-17T15:41:19Z
• Authors: Jeffrey Neal; Guy Schumann; Paul Bates; Wouter Buytaert; Patrick Matgen; Florian Pappenberger
• Keywords: Hydrological modelling; Discharge

Abstract River discharge is currently monitored by a diminishing network of gauges, which provide spatially incomplete picture global discharges. This study assimilated water level information derived from fused satellite Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) image and digital terrain model (DTM) with simulations coupled hydrological hydrodynamic to estimate in an un‐gauged basin scenario. Assimilating measurements led 79% reduction ensemble uncertainty over the alone. Measurement bias was evident, but method still provided means improving estimates for high flows. The demonstrates potential available synthetic aperture radar imagery reduce basins when combined data assimilation framework, where sufficient topographic are available. work timely because near future launch missions will lead significant increase volume space‐borne estimation. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.