MTI and Landsat detection of ponded water on arid southwest playas

Robert Lichvar; Robert L. Bolus; Greg Gustina

doi:10.1117/12.478774

2 August 2002 MTI and Landsat detection of ponded water on arid southwest playas

Robert Lichvar, Robert L. Bolus, Greg Gustina

Proceedings Volume 4725, Algorithms and Technologies for Multispectral, Hyperspectral, and Ultraspectral Imagery VIII; (2002) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.478774
Event: AeroSense 2002, 2002, Orlando, FL, United States

Abstract

Although playas are specifically mentioned as protected in Federal regulations regarding the Clean Water Act, there is a lack of supporting evidence describing basic concepts relevant to vegetation, soils, and hydrology for the purposes of establishing a scientifically sound method of playa delineation. To date no hydrological studies have attempted to describe the frequency and duration associated with ponded water on desert playa systems. This study analyzed the duration and frequency of inundation on hard playas in the western Mojave Desert on Edwards Air Force Base, CA during the wet season (Oct.-Mar.) using satellite imagery over the last 19 years and precipitation records over the last 59 years. Our results indicate that ponding on these playas, lasting at least 16 days, occurs with a frequency of 0.51 or every other year. Average precipitation needed to initiate ponding is 8.29 cm. Years in which ponding was verified for 16 days between October and March could also be verified for ponding for at least 16 days during the growing season (Mar.-Nov.). Total duration of ponding through the wet season was found to range between 1 and 32 weeks with a second order non-linear relationship between length of inundation and total rainfall during the wet season.

Citation Download Citation

Robert Lichvar, Robert L. Bolus, and Greg Gustina "MTI and Landsat detection of ponded water on arid southwest playas", Proc. SPIE 4725, Algorithms and Technologies for Multispectral, Hyperspectral, and Ultraspectral Imagery VIII, (2 August 2002); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.478774

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available