Author(s): Kaveh Ghahraman; Michael Nones

Linked Author(s): Michael Nones

Keywords: River temperature; Po River; GEE; Landsat; Meandering river

Abstract: River temperature is a key physical variable influencing aquatic ecosystem health and functioning. This study investigates the spatiotemporal dynamics of river surface temperature (RST) in a meandering reach of the Po River, Italy, using cloud-free Landsat 8 and 9 imagery from 2014 to 2024. Thermal infrared data were processed in Google Earth Engine, with the Normalized Difference Water Index applied to delineate open - water areas. Validation with in -situ temperature measurements collected in October 2017 showed strong agreement, confirming the reliability of satellite-derived RST. Time-series analysis revealed clear interannual variability, with higher mean temperatures observed in 2015, 2018, and 2023. Spatial patterns indicated that meander segments exhibited slightly higher surface temperatures than straight channel sections, potentially reflecting geomorphological or anthropogenic influences. These findings demonstrate the capability of remote sensing for accurate, long-term monitoring of river thermal regimes and provide new insights into the ecohydraulic processes controlling temperature dynamics in meandering river systems.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.64697/iahr.proc.ise2026.abs.129

Year: 2026