SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “WATER RESOURCES”

Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

SourceResearch connectionFrom yearThrough year

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 703 records · Page 39

All sources NASA NTRS DOE OSTI

NASA NTRS1982

Remote sensing training for Corps of Engineering personnel: The university training module concept

A concept to permit Corps of Engineers personnel to obtain and maintain an appropriate level of individual proficiency in the application of remote sensing to water resource management is described. Recommendations are made for specific training courses and include structure and staffing requirements, syllabi and methods of operation, supporting materials, and procedures for integrating information systems management into the University Training Modules.

Source record↗

NASA NTRS1983

Night-time observations of snow using visible imagery

Consideration is given to the possibility of increasing the frequency of satellite snow cover observations in the visible range by using the light reflected off the moon as an illumination source for nighttime observations. Images obtained at night by DMSP satellites orbiting in the noon-midnight plane are presented which were obtained at various phases of the moon. It is concluded that DMSP visible imagery can be used to detect snow cover during those periods when the moon is over the local horizon and is between the first quarter phase and the last quarter phase, which amounts to around five additional days a month allowing for cloud cover. The high frequency of observation of a given area provided by a light-sensitivity imager would be an important feature of a dedicated water-resources satellite.

Foster, J. L.↗

NASA NTRS1982

Multispectral Imaging Science Working Group for Hydrologic Science: Executive summary

The following working objectives were adopted: (1) define the current state of knowledge concerning the role of multispectral imaging science in hydrology; (2) identify critical areas where gaps in our knowledge limit opportunities for significant improvements in our understanding of the hydrologic processes; (3) evaluate the potential of multispectral imaging sciences as tools to close these gaps in knowledge; and (4) develop guidelines for a series of remote-sensing-based experiments that would help close these gaps in knowledge and, thereby, provide man with the improved scientific base necessary for better utilization of the world's water resource. The resulting documentation is intended to provide guidance for multispectral imaging programs in the hydrologic sciences with special emphasis on the visible and infrared (IR) wavelengths.

Source record↗

NASA NTRS1984

Remote sensing research for agricultural applications

Materials and methods used to characterize selected soil properties and agricultural crops in San Joaquin County, California are described. Results show that: (1) the location and widths of TM bands are suitable for detecting differences in selected soil properties; (2) the number of TM spectral bands allows the quantification of soil spectral curve form and magnitude; and (3) the spatial and geometric quality of TM data allows for the discrimination and quantification of within field variability of soil properties. The design of the LANDSAT based multiple crop acreage estimation experiment for the Idaho Department of Water Resources is described including the use of U.C. Berkeley's Survey Modeling Planning Model. Progress made on Peditor software development on MIDAS, and cooperative computing using local and remote systems is reported as well as development of MIDAS microcomputer systems.

Colwell, R. N.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Activities of the Pilot Land Data System project

The University of Maryland's Remote Sensing Systems Laboratory submitted to NASA/Goddard an interim progress report on the work being conducted within its Pilot Land Data System IPLDS project. The Remote Sensing Systems Laboratory addressed the following tasks: (1) identify data types and data sources needed to describe the selected test sites in collaboration with Goddard's Hydrological Sciences Branch; (2) define the procedures necessary to access/acquire this data; (3) conduct meetings with the PLDS Systems Engineering Group to identify functional specification priorities for PLDS development; (4) assemble documentation on historical remotely sensed imagery and transfer of such information to the PLDS Data Management Group; (5) collect data identified by Goodard's Hydrological Sciences Branch for data set inventory in PLD; (6) develop a Workstation-PLDS system interface over high speed lines, (7) develop and test through a Phase 1 demonstration of a micro workstation to access PLDS; and (8) establish interdepartmental agreement of development of computer link for electronic access of water resources data from USGS.

Sircar, J. K.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Research and technology, fiscal year 1985

Capabilities in spacecraft subsystems, sensors, space communications and navigation, the acquisition of data from space missions and the extraction of information from that data were reviewed. The use of satellite data in the study of the Earth's atmosphere and climate, the dynamics of its crust and the monitoring of land and water resources were examined. A review of NASA flight projects for 1985 was presented.

Source record↗

NASA NTRS1985

1985 International Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium (IGARSS '85), University of Massachusetts, Amherst, October 7-9, 1985, Digest. Volumes 1 & 2

The present conference on remote sensing instrumentation considers topics in water resources research, planetary remote sensing and mathematical geophysics, sea ice behavior in view of the Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratories pond measurements, Shuttle Imaging Radar-B (SIR-B) system performance and calibration results, geological applications of remote sensing, and microwave scattering from vegetation. Further attention is given to atmospheric probing with lasers, image processing for remote sensing, forest inventory and condition assessment, atmospheric remote sensing, SIR-B geological results, the reflectance, emission, and scattering characteristics of vegetation, sea ice sensing, multipolarization SAR results, the theoretical modeling of surfaces and volumes, crop condition assessment and productivity estimates, and SIR-B results for vegetation cover. Also considered are the microwave remote sensing of soil moisture, advanced sensors, advanced information extraction, wind and wave remote observations, results from the ESA Remote Sensing satellite, large area crop and land cover statistics, SIR-B results for directional ocean wave spectra, seasonal snow cover, ice sheets, and lake ice, fundamental research in terrain remote sensing, image classification methods, vegetation stress detection, remote sensing of coastal processes, SAR systems and calibration, electromagnetic geophysical methods and signal processing, image processing techniques, and SAR internal wave measurements.

Carver, K. R.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Multi-crop area estimation and mapping on a microprocessor/mainframe network

The data processing system is outlined for a 1985 test aimed at determining the performance characteristics of area estimation and mapping procedures connected with the California Cooperative Remote Sensing Project. The project is a joint effort of the USDA Statistical Reporting Service-Remote Sensing Branch, the California Department of Water Resources, NASA-Ames Research Center, and the University of California Remote Sensing Research Program. One objective of the program was to study performance when data processing is done on a microprocessor/mainframe network under operational conditions. The 1985 test covered the hardware, software, and network specifications and the integration of these three components. Plans for the year - including planned completion of PEDITOR software, testing of software on MIDAS, and accomplishment of data processing on the MIDAS-VAX-CRAY network - are discussed briefly.

Sheffner, E.↗

NASA NTRS1987

Advances in terrestrial physics research at NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center

Some past, current, and future terrestrial physics research activities at NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center are described. The uses of satellites and sensors, such as Tiros, Landsat, Nimbus, and SMMR, for terrestrial physics research are discussed. The spaceborne data are applicable for monitoring and studying vegetation, snow, and ice dynamics; geological features; soil moisture; water resources; the geoid of the earth; and the earth's magnetic field. Consideration is given to improvements in remote sensing systems and data records and the Earth Observing System sensor concepts.

Salomonson, Vincent V.↗

NASA NTRS1988

Snow cover, snowmelt and runoff in the Himalayan River basins

Not withstanding the seasonal vagaries of both rainfall amount and snowcover extent, the Himalayan rivers retain their basic perennial character. However, it is the component of snowmelt yield that accounts for some 60 to 70 percent of the total annual flow volumes from Hamilayan watersheds. On this large hydropotential predominantly depends the temporal performance of hydropower generation and major irrigation projects. The large scale effects of Himalayan snowcover on the hydrologic responses of a few selected catchments in western Himalayas was studied. The antecedent effects of snowcover area on long and short term meltwater yields can best be analyzed by developing appropriate hydrologic models forecasting the pattern of snowmelt as a function of variations in snowcover area. It is hoped that these models would be of practical value in the management of water resources. The predictability of meltwater for the entire snowmelt season was studied, as was the concurrent flow variation in adjacent watersheds, and their hydrologic significance. And the applicability of the Snowmelt-Runoff Model for real time forecast of daily discharges during the major part of the snowmelt season is examined.

Dey, B.↗

NASA NTRS1988

The California Cooperative Remote Sensing Project

The USDA, the California Department of Water Resources (CDWR), the Remote Sensing Research Program of the University of California (UCB) and NASA have completed a 4-yr cooperative project on the use of remote sensing in monitoring California agriculture. This report is a summary of the project and the final report of NASA's contribution to it. The cooperators developed procedures that combined the use of LANDSAT Multispectral Scanner imagery and digital data with good ground survey data for area estimation and mapping of the major crops in California. An inventory of the Central Valley was conducted as an operational test of the procedures. The satellite and survey data were acquired by USDA and UCB and processed by CDWR and NASA. The inventory was completed on schedule, thus demonstrating the plausibility of the approach, although further development of the data processing system is necessary before it can be used efficiently in an operational environment.

Hlavka, Christine A.↗

NASA NTRS1990

Interfacing geographic information systems and remote sensing for rural land-use analysis

Recent advances in computer-based geographic information systems (GISs) are briefly reviewed, with an emphasis on the incorporation of remote-sensing data in GISs for rural applications. Topics addressed include sampling procedures for rural land-use analyses; GIS-based mapping of agricultural land use and productivity; remote sensing of land use and agricultural, forest, rangeland, and water resources; monitoring the dynamics of irrigation agriculture; GIS methods for detecting changes in land use over time; and the development of land-use modeling strategies.

Nellis, M. Duane↗

NASA NTRS1989

Spaceborne technology contributions to hydrological studies in the context of global change

Spaceborne observations have become increasingly accepted for studies of the hydrological cycle and as a source of information that can be used for management and assessment of water resources over large areas. As data records are extended over long periods of time, using sensors that improve their reliability and quality, the utility of spaceborne observations will become increasingly evident. The Earth Observing System (EOS) concept being studied by NASA holds potential for providing improved means and procedures for hydrological studies, particularly on a global basis, using spaceborne sensors and a comprehensive information system. Continuing emphasis needs to be placed on research exploring the interpretation of remotely sensed observations through the assimilation and use of these data in models of hydrological processes.

Salomonson, Vincent V.↗

NASA NTRS1993

Interactive Forecasting with the National Weather Service River Forecast System

The National Weather Service River Forecast System (NWSRFS) consists of several major hydrometeorologic subcomponents to model the physics of the flow of water through the hydrologic cycle. The entire NWSRFS currently runs in both mainframe and minicomputer environments, using command oriented text input to control the system computations. As computationally powerful and graphically sophisticated scientific workstations became available, the National Weather Service (NWS) recognized that a graphically based, interactive environment would enhance the accuracy and timeliness of NWS river and flood forecasts. Consequently, the operational forecasting portion of the NWSRFS has been ported to run under a UNIX operating system, with X windows as the display environment on a system of networked scientific workstations. In addition, the NWSRFS Interactive Forecast Program was developed to provide a graphical user interface to allow the forecaster to control NWSRFS program flow and to make adjustments to forecasts as necessary. The potential market for water resources forecasting is immense and largely untapped. Any private company able to market the river forecasting technologies currently developed by the NWS Office of Hydrology could provide benefits to many information users and profit from providing these services.

Smith, George F.↗

NASA NTRS1992

GEWEX - The Global Energy and Water Cycle Experiment

GEWEX, which is part of the World Climate Research Program, has as its goal an order-of-magnitude improvement in the ability to model global precipitation and evaporation and furnish an accurate assessment of the sensitivity of atmospheric radiation and clouds. Attention will also be given to the response of the hydrological cycle and water resources to climate change. GEWEX employs a single program to coordinate all aspects of climatology from model development to the deployment and operation of observational systems. GEWEX will operate over the next two decades.

Chahine, Moustafa T.↗

NASA NTRS1992

GEWEX

The GEWEX (Global Energy and Water cycle EXperiment) objectives are as follows: to determine the hydrologic cycle and energy fluxes by means of global measurements of observable atmospheric and surface properties; to model the global hydrologic cycle and its effects on the atmosphere and oceans; to foster the development of observing techniques and data management and assimilation systems; and to develop the ability to predict the variations of global and regional hydrologic processes and water resources, and their response to environmental change.

Source record↗

NASA NTRS1993

GEWEX Continental-scale International Project (GCIP)

The Global Energy and Water Cycle Experiment (GEWEX) represents the World Climate Research Program activities on clouds, radiation, and land-surface processes. The goal of the program is to reproduce and predict, by means of suitable models, the variations of the global hydrological regime and its impact on atmospheric and oceanic dynamics. However, GEWEX is also concerned with variations in regional hydrological processes and water resources and their response to changes in the environment such as increasing greenhouse gases. In fact, GEWEX contains a major new international project called the GEWEX Continental-scale International Project (GCIP), which is designed to bridge the gap between the small scales represented by hydrological models and those scales that are practical for predicting the regional impacts of climate change. The development and use of coupled mesoscale-hydrological models for this purpose is a high priority in GCIP. The objectives of GCIP are presented.

Try, Paul↗

NASA NTRS1994

Dynamic modeling of orographically induced precipitation

Local orography governs the triggering of cloud formation and the enhancement of processes such as condensation and hydrometeor nucleation and growth in mountainous regions. Intense, lengthy precipitation events are typical upwind of the topographic divide, with sharply decreasing magnitude and duration on the lee side. Differences in mean annual precipitation of several hundred percent between windward slopes of orographic barriers and adjacent valleys or lee side slopes are not unusual. Because much of the streamflow in areas such as the western United States is derived from mountainous areas that are remote and often poorly instrumented, modeling of orographic precipitation has important implications for water resources management. Models of orographically induced precipitation differ by their treatment of atmospheric dynamics and by the extent to which they rely on bulk parameterization of cloud and precipitation physics. Adiabatic ascent and a direct proportionality between efficiency and orographically magnified updrafts are the most frequent assumptions in orographic precipitation modeling. Space-time discretization (i.e., resolution) is a major issue because of the high spatial variability of orographic precipitation. For a specific storm, relative errors as large as 50 to 100% are common in the forecast/hindcast of precipitation intensity and can be even larger in the case of catastrophic storms. When monthly or seasonal timescales are used to evaluate model performance, the magnitude of such errors decreases dramatically, reaching values as low as 10 to 15%. Current research is focusing on the development of data assimilation techniques to incorporate radar and satellite observations, and on the development of aggregation and disaggregation methodologies to address the implications of modeling a multiscale problem at restricted spatial and temporal resolutions.

Barros, Ana Paula↗