Abstract
There are two principal ways in which remote sensing can be used with continuous hydrological models: (1) by providing a cost effective way for obtaining input data and (2) by providing synoptic measurements of various state variables. This paper discusses existing hydrologic models and the modifications required to adapt them for using remotely sensed data that may significantly improve their simulation performance. Microwave and thermal infrared measurements show promise for use in hydrologic models because they can measure certain physical properties of the watershed (emissivity and temperature) from which a hydrologic condition can be inferred. Additional applications of remote sensing data include the use of spatial data, mechanisms for extrapolating point data and direct measurement of several hydrologic state variables such as soil moisture, surface temperature, snow water equivalent, frozen soils, and rainfall distribution. Results are presented from several aircraft flights where thermal infrared and microwave data were collected over a small research basin. These results are discussed with respect to their application in continuous hydrologic simulation models.
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