Utilization of Remote Sensing for River Basin Studies

Utilization of Remote Sensing For River Basin Stuides

Aroboinosen Hillary

Department of Agricultural and Bio-Resources Engineering, Federal University of Technology, Minna, Niger State, Nigeria.

Email: [e-mail]

June 2013

Abstract

The efficient management and use of water resources is a prime concern all over the world. This sometimes leads to scarcity creating an environment of tension and conflict, on the other hand excess of water can cause flooding and became a threat to the citizens. This study examines the use of remote sensing for river basin studies. Remote sensing (RS) data are an alternative to in-situ hydro meteorological data in remote and poorly monitored areas and are increasingly used in hydrological modeling. The growing availability of multi-temporal satellite data has increased opportunities for monitoring large rivers from space. A variety of passive and active sensors operating in the visible and microwave range are currently operating, or planned, which can estimate inundation area and delineate flood boundaries.

Keywords: remote sensing, river basin, satellites, floods

Background

A river basin is a body of land where water from different sources converge, it also drains out towards a larger body of water such as the ocean or the sea as well as collects water and moisture from different sources, such as those that come from the drainage systems of homes, and drains them out into other bodies of water. (Adams, 2005)

In its bid to address poor drinking water services and sanitation problems and meet its water-related Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), Nigeria is currently undergoing a broad process of reform of its integrated water resources management at basin level. This shift underscores its commitment to move from water resources development to an effective water resources management (Federal Government of Nigeria, 2003).

Following the 1972-74 drought in Nigeria which many described as the worst

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