Estimation of Bathymetry Using High-resolution Satellite Imagery: Case Study El-Burullus Lake, Northern Nile Delta

Abstract

Collecting and analyzing bathymetric information is essential to coastal and lake areas. This is commonly accomplished through field measurements, which are time consuming and costly. However, remotely sensed imagery provides wide coverage, low cost, and time-saving solutions for bathymetric measurements, especially in shallow areas with high erosion or sediment accumulation, such as onshore coastal areas. This chapter gives a brief description of the bathymetry determination, starting from the ordinary methods using echo sounders and sonars. Then the basics of detecting bathymetry from satellite images will be discussed followed by an illustration of the most common methods for image calibration. Also, the basic algorithms for bathymetry detection and the recently invented methods will be presented. Finally two case studies for bathymetry determination using satellite images will be discussed.