Dissertation
Exploring the utility of satellite-based soil moisture in real-time flood forecasting
University of Iowa
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), University of Iowa
Spring 2021
DOI: 10.17077/etd.006097
Abstract
Accurate flood forecasts are crucial to reduce flood damage. Soil moisture is one of the main controls of runoff production. Satellite-based soil moisture estimations are potentially helpful for flood predictions. However, it is necessary to understand the potentials and limitations of these estimations in real-time flood forecasting. This dissertation presents a series of studies designed to explore the utility of satellite-based soil moisture information in real-time flood forecasting. First, it quantifies soil moisture information in sub-grid and watershed spatial scales. It then explores the predictive skill of the satellite-based estimations for event-scale runoff predictions in heavily agricultural regions and the impact of vegetation on runoff production. Next, the dissertation examines the potential of satellite-based soil moisture data assimilation for streamflow predictions using a distributed hydrologic model. It also quantifies the impact of accounting for potential errors in the satellite estimations. Furthermore, this thesis evaluates multiple satellite-based and model-based soil moisture products to understand the spatial dependence of potential errors in satellite-based soil moisture estimations in an agricultural region. It further investigates the variability in hydrometeorological forcings and soil properties on soil moisture variability and streamflow predictions. Finally, it develops web browser–based software that facilitates the hydrologic model and data visualization and evaluation. This dissertation provides insights on hydrologic applications of satellite-based soil moisture and their potential in real-time flood forecasts.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Exploring the utility of satellite-based soil moisture in real-time flood forecasting
- Creators
- Navid Jadidoleslam
- Contributors
- Ricardo Mantilla (Advisor)Witold F. Krajewski (Advisor)Allen Bradley (Committee Member)Brian K. Hornbuckle (Committee Member)Ibrahim Demir (Committee Member)
- Resource Type
- Dissertation
- Degree Awarded
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), University of Iowa
- Degree in
- Civil and Environmental Engineering
- Date degree season
- Spring 2021
- DOI
- 10.17077/etd.006097
- Publisher
- University of Iowa
- Number of pages
- xix, 240 pages
- Copyright
- Copyright 2021 Navid Jadidoleslam
- Comment
- This thesis has been optimized for improved web viewing. If you require the original version, contact the University Archives at the University of Iowa: https://www.lib.uiowa.edu/sc/contact/
- Language
- English
- Description illustrations
- color illustrations, color maps
- Description bibliographic
- Includes bibliographical references (pages 201-240).
- Public Abstract (ETD)
Floods are dangerous natural hazards that cause loss of life and damage to property. Reliable flood forecasts are crucial to reduce flood damages. Soil wetness controls the amount of rainfall that turns into the runoff. Recent satellite-based soil moisture missions observed relevant information on soil wetness that is potentially useful for flood predictions. However, satellite-based soil moisture estimations have limitations because of their coarse resolution in space and their errors in agricultural regions. This dissertation presents results to help researchers better understand the satellite-based soil moisture estimations and their potential in flood forecasting. It shows that satellite-based soil moisture data improve flood predictions in a heavily agricultural region. Also, it develops software to facilitate data visualization and evaluations of hydrologic data and models. The different studies conducted in this dissertation help apply satellite-based soil moisture in flood and drought predictions in agricultural regions.
- Academic Unit
- Civil and Environmental Engineering
- Record Identifier
- 9984097368202771
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