Satellite Observations and Tools for Reservoir Monitoring to Enhance Flood and Drought Management Face-to-Face Training Course
- English
Course overview
This course focuses on the application of satellite- based observations and analytical tools for monitoring reservoirs and water resources. Participants will learn how to use remote sensing data to track reservoir levels, assess storage dynamics, and support early warning systems for floods and droughts. The training emphasizes practical methods to integrate satellite information into water management and disaster risk reduction strategies for improved decision-making and resilience building.
Course objectives
The program aims to bridge the information gap in transboundary and ungauged river basins. Upon completion, participants will be able to:
- Extract Reservoir Metrics: Use satellite data to estimate surface water extent and derive water level elevations for large and medium-sized reservoirs.
- Calculate Storage Dynamics: Apply Area-Elevation-Capacity (A-E-C) curves to convert satellite-observed surface area into volume estimates.
- Monitor Inflow/Outflow Trends: Utilize Earth Observation (EO) to proxy river discharge and reservoir release patterns.
- Support Early Warning Systems (EWS): Integrate satellite-derived reservoir levels into flood forecasting and drought monitoring dashboards.
- Inform Decision-Making: Use EO-based water accounting to optimize multi-purpose reservoir operations.
Course contents
It will be posted soon.
Course methodologies
The course follows a "Data-to-Decision" workflow, utilizing open-source tools to ensure participants can replicate the results at their home institutions.
- Hands-on Technical Labs: Participants will use GEE and QGIS to process real-time satellite imagery of a local reservoir.
- Simulation Exercises: A "Reservoir Operation Game" where groups must decide on water releases based on satellite-predicted inflows and downstream flood risks.
- Altimetry Data Clinics: Step-by-step guidance on accessing and cleaning raw altimetry data from global virtual stations.
- Peer-to-Peer "Basin Breakouts": Participants from shared river basins will work together to harmonize satellite-derived data for transboundary water management.
- Field Validation Trip: A visit to a nearby reservoir to compare satellite-derived observations with physical gauge readings and understand ground-truth sensors.
- Capstone Project: Developing a "Reservoir Health Map" for a specific transboundary or national reservoir, including a 5-year storage trend analysis.
Target participants
- National and sub- national environmental agencies
- Scientists, researchers, and analysts
- Meteorological and hydrological department staff
- Urban planners and environmental engineers
- Academics and students
- Development professionals and practitioners
Course fees
$1,550 (without accommodation)
$2,036 [with accommodation (6 nights)]
Fees are inclusive of course materials (soft copy), cost of instructions and course certificate. For face-to-face training, fee is inclusive of morning and afternoon snacks and lunch during the course.