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Measuring River Flow with Surface Waves: a Physics-based Paradigm for Future River Monitoring

Author(s): Giulio Dolcetti, Anton Krynkin, Simon J. Tait, Kirill V. Horoshenkov

Linked Author(s): Giulio Dolcetti, Simon Tait, Kirill Horoshenkov

Keywords: Hydrolink;Remote Sensing;River Flow;Surface Waves;River Monitoring

Abstract:

Physics-based methods can now estimate river flow conditions remotely from drones or high-rise platforms by comparing optical or acoustic observations of the moving water surface with theoretical wave equations. Compared to 'traditional' image-based velocimetry, these methods do not require tracers, are not impacted by the presence of wind or standing waves, and can estimate parameters that are usually challenging to measure remotely, like the water depth. As such, they have a unique potential to enable safe, flexible, inexpensive, and fully non-contact river and flood monitoring at large scales.


DOI:

Year: 2026

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