Author(s): Connor Chewning, Daniel Druce, Cecile M. M. Kittel, Paul Senty, Silvia Huber, Michael Munk, Gyde Krüger, Lisbeth Nielsen, Kenneth Grogan, Christian T∅ttrup
Linked Author(s):
Keywords: Hydrolink;Remote Sensing;Dams;Satellites;IA;Dam Inventorying;Dam Safety Planning
Abstract:
Knowing the size and location of dams and reservoirs is vital for managing water supplies and assessing risks in case of failure. Yet in many countries, official records are incomplete or out of date, while global and regional databases often focus only on the largest reservoirs or lack important details. In work commissioned by the World Bank, DHI has used Earth Observation (EO) to map and analyze dams and reservoirs, while also estimating how many people could be at risk if one were to fail. This method has been applied in diverse settings —from the Nile Basin and Nigeria to Cambodia and Central Asia— and the key findings are outlined below.
Year: 2026