Cutting-Edge Satellite Tracks Lake Water Levels in Ohio River Basin
December 17, 2024
NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, California
NASA and the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) have launched a new satellite mission to monitor water levels in the Ohio River Basin, a critical waterway for navigation, agriculture, and drinking water. The mission, called the Surface Water and Ocean Topography (SWOT) mission, is expected to provide unprecedented data on lake levels, river flows, and other water resources in the region.
The SWOT mission is a collaboration between NASA, the French space agency CNES, the Canadian Space Agency, and the UK Space Agency. The satellite, which was launched on December 16, 2024, carries two radar instruments that will measure the height of water surfaces with unprecedented accuracy. The data from SWOT will be used to improve flood forecasting, water management, and navigation in the Ohio River Basin.
“The Ohio River Basin is home to over 25 million people and is a vital economic engine for the region,” said NASA Administrator Bill Nelson. “The SWOT mission will provide critical data that will help us better manage this important waterway and protect our communities from flooding and other water-related hazards.”
The SWOT mission is part of NASA’s Earth Observing System, a series of missions that are designed to study our planet’s climate and environment. The data from SWOT will be used to study a wide range of water-related issues, including:
- Lake levels: SWOT will measure the height of water surfaces in lakes and reservoirs, providing data that can be used to improve flood forecasting and water management.
- River flows: SWOT will measure the speed and direction of water flow in rivers, providing data that can be used to improve navigation and flood forecasting.
- Wetlands: SWOT will measure the extent of wetlands, which are important for flood control, water filtration, and wildlife habitat.
“The SWOT mission will provide us with a wealth of new data on water resources in the Ohio River Basin,” said USACE Commander and Chief of Engineers Lieutenant General Scott Spellmon. “This data will help us to better manage our waterways, protect our communities from flooding, and ensure that we have a sustainable water supply for the future.”
The SWOT mission is expected to launch in 2028 and will operate for at least three years. The data from the mission will be freely available to researchers, water managers, and the public.
Cutting-Edge Satellite Tracks Lake Water Levels in Ohio River Basin
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