The Surface Water and Ocean Topography (SWOT) satellite, a joint mission by NASA and the French space agency CNES, is providing invaluable data on freshwater systems in the Ohio River Basin. This expansive region, home to over 25 million people and covering an area comparable to France, is now being monitored with unprecedented detail.
Since early 2023, SWOT has been tracking water levels across the globe, including oceans, rivers, lakes, and reservoirs. The satellite provides comprehensive coverage every 21 days, delivering crucial information on water storage and movement. Data released earlier this year includes precise measurements of water levels and spatial extent, offering a unique perspective on how water resources are distributed and managed.
This high-resolution data is being used to calculate changes in water storage over time and improve the accuracy of river discharge estimates. Visual representations of the Ohio River Basin, collected between July 2023 and November 2024, vividly illustrate water level fluctuations, ranging from over 1,600 feet above sea level to under 330 feet.
These insights are expected to be a game-changer for hydrologists and water managers, enabling them to better assess water availability at both local and watershed-wide scales. This is particularly crucial in the Ohio River Basin, where dam operations and complex water management practices can make it challenging to accurately model and predict water availability.
Traditionally, understanding water availability has been hampered by limitations in data collection methods. Ground-based sensors and airborne surveys provide valuable information but are often limited in their spatial and temporal coverage. Satellite measurements, while offering a broader perspective, often require integration with computer models that may not accurately represent the complexities of regulated river basins.
SWOT’s unified approach to measuring water levels and extent is providing a more comprehensive and accurate picture. This data is fostering improved collaboration among water managers, enabling them to make more informed decisions about water allocation and resource management.
While researchers are still in the process of fully analyzing the vast amount of data collected by SWOT, its potential to revolutionize water management practices is undeniable. As the mission continues, it promises to provide even more valuable insights into the dynamics of freshwater systems, contributing to more sustainable and effective water resource management.