Estimating discharge of the Ganga River from satellite altimeter data

Kumar, Atul; Beg, Zafar; Singh, Aviral; Gaurav, Kumar

doi:10.1016/j.jhydrol.2021.126860

Cited by 12 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 45 publications

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“…The overestimated discharge corresponds to a higher mean depth than the error due to low flow. A similar observation is made by Rai et al (2021) in the middle Ganga, where the discharge estimated from the altimeter dataset had a higher percent error in the pre‐monsoon compared to the monsoon period. To conclude, a slight variation in the pre‐monsoon water surface elevation can translate into significant variation in the mean depth and its corresponding discharge.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 86%

“…In a river, the altimeter performance error is higher in low flow seasons than in the high flow season (Papa et al, 2012). This could be because of the narrow channel and exposed bar during low flow, which provides less spatial extent for the intersection of the altimeter track and river (Papa et al, 2012; Rai et al, 2021; Zakharova et al, 2020).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The high flow water level is superimposed on the depth distribution. In the Ganga River system, high flow condition usually occurs during the monsoon period when we observe peak flow (Gaurav et al, 2021;Rai et al, 2021). The satellite altimeter water level for the period at which the monsoon cross-section measurements are taken is considered as the high flow water level.…”

Section: Hydraulic Simulationmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Integrating satellite altimeter data and geomorphic in‐stream flow tool to assess reach average hydraulic habitat of the Ganga River dolphin

et al. 2022

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The Ganga River ecosystem is under severe anthropogenic stress. Flow regulations through structural barriers alter the geomorphic and hydraulic geometry of riverine habitats. Determining the ecological health of river habitats under the contemporary modification is detrimental to its restoration and management. This study evaluates reach averaged hydraulic habitat of the endangered Ganga River dolphin (Platanista gangetica) in a stretch between Bijnor and Narora barrages. We consider an optimal minimum flow depth as the determining factor of habitat suitability. Field measurement of the hydraulic geometry and flow characteristics show that the optimal flow depth is available in the study reach during the monsoon period, while in the premonsoon, the minimum depth is present only in the reach upstream to Narora barrage. We use a geomorphic instream flow tool (GIFT) and satellite altimeter water level data to simulate reach averaged hydraulic habitat in varying flow conditions in area upstream of Narora barrage. We observe that to maintain the minimum flow depth which supports the dolphin habitat in the study reach, an optimal discharge of about > 280 m 3 s À1 is essential. Furthermore, we develop a water-level (altimeter) and discharge (simulated from GIFT) rating curve for the study reach. It can be used to get a first-order estimate of discharge for a given water level or vice versa. This study indicates that the altimetry datasets are good precursors for estimating averaged hydraulic habitat of rivers in the data-scarce regions. The application of altimeter data can be a boon in the effective management of river habitat health over a reach scale.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 86%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Hydraulic Simulationmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Integrating satellite altimeter data and geomorphic in‐stream flow tool to assess reach average hydraulic habitat of the Ganga River dolphin

et al. 2022

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“…To improve spatial and M temporal resolution, attempts have been made to generate combined water level time series from multi-mission data operating at the same or different orbits (Topex-Poseidon, Jason1/2/3 10 days; Saral/AltiKa 35 days; Sentinel-3 27 days) [13], [14], [15]. The generated altimetry-based water level timeseries have been used to estimate river discharge and to calibrate hydrological-hydrodynamic models [16], [17], [18], [19], [20], [21]. Several studies have demonstrated the usefulness of satellite altimetry in constructing river water level time series for large river basins such as the Amazon, Ganga, and Brahmaputra [22], [23], [24].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

River Water Level and Water Surface Slope Measurement From Spaceborne Radar and LiDAR Altimetry: Evaluation and Implications for Hydrological Studies in the Ganga River

Dhote,

Agarwal,

Singhal

et al. 2024

IEEE J. Sel. Top. Appl. Earth Observations Remote Sensing

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Satellite altimetry has revolutionized river monitoring, particularly for hydrologists working on river flow monitoring in sparsely or ungauged areas. Despite this, there's a lack of a comprehensive evaluation of radar and lidar altimeters with varying sensor specifications for river water level retrieval, seasonal change characterization, and water surface slope (WSS) using gauged long-term water level and global navigation satellite system (GNSS) data. This study addresses this gap by combined evaluation of radar (ENVISAT to Sentinel-3) and lidar (ICESat-1, ICESat-2) altimeters along the Ganga River, from Prayagraj to Varanasi. We found that, all the radar altimetry missions showed better accuracy for water level retrievals (R 2 >=0.8; RMSE 0.11 to 1.16 m) and water level change quantification (RMSE 0.59 m). However, Sentinel-3 with SAR acquisition mode outperformed (RMSE 0.11 to 0.14 m) all the radar missions having low resolution mode. Despite lidar missions' high vertical accuracy, they show relatively lower accuracy in water level time series generation due to non-repeating characteristics. In contrary, ICESat-2 demonstrates potential in capturing spatial and seasonal variability of WSS, enhancing the accuracy of SWOT discharge products when combined with SWOT River database (SWORD). This study provides a comprehensive baseline for end-users interested in utilizing radar and lidar missions for various hydrological applications, including river discharge estimation.

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“…Satellite-based applications to estimate discharge from SAR (microwave or RADAR) reflectance values also need ground calibration from field measurements or available data (e.g. Gaurav et al, 2015;Musa et al, 2015;Rai et al, 2021). A fruitful step forward can be the integration and compilation of publicly available official data and satellite-based discharge estimates in a single location.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

FLOWIDER 1.0: a web-based interface to track flood-season water levels of large rivers of India’s Gangetic plains

Ramya Roopa,

Kelkar

2024

Preprint

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Accessing and analysing flood-season water level data is crucial for monitoring riverine biodiversity and ecosystems. The Gangetic plains are among the largest river floodplains in the world. Temporal flood-season water level data for rivers of the Gangetic basin in India, though available in the public domain, are often scattered across web-based sources and recorded in non-translatable formats. We introduce ‘Flow and Water Level (FLOW) Integrated Datasets (ID) for Ecological studies of Rivers (ER)’, abbreviated as FLOWIDER 1.0, a web application developed using the R Shiny program. The app helps users track flood-season water level for 24 rivers and 107 gauging stations in one place, through a search filter by threatened species of wildlife. FLOWIDER presents a map view of gauging stations and graphing options to explore flood water-level time-series of up to two stations simultaneously. It features a searchable tool for users to access metadata linked with individual river stations.

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Estimating discharge of the Ganga River from satellite altimeter data

Cited by 12 publications

References 45 publications

Integrating satellite altimeter data and geomorphic in‐stream flow tool to assess reach average hydraulic habitat of the Ganga River dolphin

Integrating satellite altimeter data and geomorphic in‐stream flow tool to assess reach average hydraulic habitat of the Ganga River dolphin

River Water Level and Water Surface Slope Measurement From Spaceborne Radar and LiDAR Altimetry: Evaluation and Implications for Hydrological Studies in the Ganga River

FLOWIDER 1.0: a web-based interface to track flood-season water levels of large rivers of India’s Gangetic plains

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