Application of remote sensing techniques to the study of the impacts of the Aswan High Dam

Thesis/Dissertation · Fri Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1982

OSTI ID:5607050

Smith, S E

A study of the environmental changes, including morphology, sedimentation, and plant production, in the Aswan Reservoir, was conducted by utilizing advanced Landsat digital imagery technology. Spectral reflectance characteristics of the water were correlated with ground-truthed information to analyze spatial and temporal changes of reservoir characteristics between 1972 and 1979. Accurate estimates of the surface area and other particular features of the reservoir were determined by classification of Landsat data in spectral band seven. Sedimentation in the reservoir was determined by comparing satellite reflectance values with ground data. Sediment depth values were correlated with spectrally homogeneous regions of near-surface turbidity for quantitative evaluation. Aquatic plant distribution was determined using Landsat imagery in spectral band six. Based upon spectral reflectance differences and ground information, phytoplanton, macrophytes and shoreline plants were classified. Contrary to early prognostications environmental changes resulting from the Aswan High Dam did not create an ecological disaster in Egypt. Remote sensing using Landsat imagery offers an effective monitoring tool to follow changes in the reservoir and proper management of the Nile resource in Egypt.

• OSTI ID: 5607050
• Resource Relation: Other Information: Thesis (Ph.D.)
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
DAMS
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
EGYPTIAN ARAB REPUBLIC
WATER RESERVOIRS
AQUATIC ORGANISMS
IMAGE PROCESSING
LANDSAT SATELLITES
REMOTE SENSING
SEDIMENTATION
SPECTRAL REFLECTANCE
USES
AFRICA
DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
OPTICAL PROPERTIES
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
PROCESSING
SATELLITES
SURFACE WATERS
520500* - Environment
Aquatic- Site Resource & Use Studies- (-1989)