A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal
Experiences from the use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) for River Bathymetry Modelling in Norway
Authors: Peggy Zinke, Claude Flener
Publisher: Norsk Vannforening
Publication year: 2013
Journal: Vann
Number in series: 3
Volume: 48
Issue: 3
First page : 351
Last page: 360
Number of pages: 10
ISSN: 0042-2592
eISSN: 0042-2592
Abstract
Knowledge of underwater morphology provides essential input to hydrodynamic model applica- tions as part of studies of habitats and the effects of hydropower regulation in rivers. Traditional manual or vessel-based bathymetry surveys are time-consuming and sometimes dangerous or impossible to implement in rivers with strong currents. Remote sensing techniques based on low altitude airborne colour photography may represent an alternative.
This paper describes a pilot study carried out in the river Surna, a gravel-bed river in Mid- Norway, to test the use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) for river bathymetry modelling based on optical remote sensing. Optical bathy- metric modelling relies on the relationship bet- ween water depth and radiance values captured in an aerial image. Lyzenga’s (1981) deep water correction method was used in conjunction with shallow-water calibration. Modelling requires some field-measured depth values for calibra- tion. The method was applied by acquiring aerial photographs along two approximately 1-kilometre river reaches, using a Microdrone flying at heights ranging between 70 and 135 metres.
The pilot study showed that the application of UAV-based optical remote sensing methods has great potential for bathymetric surveys in fluvial settings, provided that the survey is carefully prepared and performed under favourable weather conditions.
Knowledge of underwater morphology provides essential input to hydrodynamic model applica- tions as part of studies of habitats and the effects of hydropower regulation in rivers. Traditional manual or vessel-based bathymetry surveys are time-consuming and sometimes dangerous or impossible to implement in rivers with strong currents. Remote sensing techniques based on low altitude airborne colour photography may represent an alternative.
This paper describes a pilot study carried out in the river Surna, a gravel-bed river in Mid- Norway, to test the use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) for river bathymetry modelling based on optical remote sensing. Optical bathy- metric modelling relies on the relationship bet- ween water depth and radiance values captured in an aerial image. Lyzenga’s (1981) deep water correction method was used in conjunction with shallow-water calibration. Modelling requires some field-measured depth values for calibra- tion. The method was applied by acquiring aerial photographs along two approximately 1-kilometre river reaches, using a Microdrone flying at heights ranging between 70 and 135 metres.
The pilot study showed that the application of UAV-based optical remote sensing methods has great potential for bathymetric surveys in fluvial settings, provided that the survey is carefully prepared and performed under favourable weather conditions.
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