ESTIMATION OF WATER STORAGE IN DAM RESERVOIRS BY USING SATELLITE OBSERVATIONS AND DIGITAL ELEVATION MODEL

Abstract

To understand the spatial and temporal distribution of water storage in reservoirs is important for water resources management as well as for studying water cycle on the global. In this study, a method for estimating water storage in a reservoir is proposed based on satellite observations and digital elevation model. The relationship between area of water surface (A) and volume of water storage (V) is calculated from digital elevation model, and modeled as V=a Ab. Using this A-V relation, the water surface measured from satellite images can be translated into the volume of water storage.The proposed algorithm is applied to Yagisawa-reservoir, which is located in upper reach of the Tone river basin in Japan. Although estimated water storage does not yet satisfactorily agrees with the observed, potential of storage volume estimation by this method is well demonstrated.