The QuikScat radar scatterometer, AMSR-E microwave radiometer, and MODIS optical remote sensing are here applied to a global array of river gaging reaches in order to determine current hydrologic status of each reach. When in flood, these reaches are targeted for image aquisition by next-available high resolution radar or optical sensors. This work is supported by a research contract from the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, CA, to Dartmouth College (JPL # 1261147).

During large floods, reach surface water areas are transformed, with the assistance of the new SRTM topographic data, to flood stage estimates and discharge. Thus, the newly observed flow conditions can be compared to long term local records.

The displays are experimental products that are under development at the Dartmouth Flood Observatory. In particular, QuikSCAT- and AMSR-based results are presented for research purposes only. The MODIS-based results are considered more reliable. Only a few gaging reaches are now online ("version 2" of the global hydrographic array). In mid-2004, the displays will be progressively expanded to include all illustrated reaches. Please let us know your comments via the email addresses given on this site's home page.

QuikSCAT polarity ratio data are provided courtesy Son Nghiem at JPL, Pasadena, CA, USA. AMSR-E data are from the NSSIDC (Njoku, E., 2004, updated daily. AMSR-E/Aqua L2B Surface Soil Moisture, Ancillary Prams, & QC EASE-Grids V001, Boulder, CO, USA: National Snow and Ice Data Center. Digital Meda). MODIS 250 m swath data are from the MODIS Rapid Response System (http://rapidfire.sci.gsfc.nasa.gov/) or from NASA's Earth Observing System Data Gateway.

See also regional displays.

QuikSCAT-based reach status display:

AMSR E-based reach status display:

MODIS-based reach status display: