Monitoring inland water levels (in lakes, rivers, reservoirs, and wetlands) is essential for environmental sustainability, disaster preparedness, and resource management. Geodesy provides time series of inland water levels from satellite altimetry and optical remote sensing imagery that combined with in-situ measurements improve hydrological models. These models are the basis to understand the impact of climate change on the hydrological cycle, to plan freshwater consumption and recharge, to manage dams and hydropower plants, to forecast risks associated with floods or droughts, and to inform local and regional policies on water management and environmental conservation. The following geodetic products are key to realising, monitoring and applying this Essential Geodetic Variable:
IAG as part of the IUGG
IAG Related Organisations
IAG collaborates closely with numerous organizations within geodesy and beyond. See the list for details.
This website is provided by the IAG Secretariat and the GGOS Coordinating Office, which are hosted by the BEV – Federal Office of Metrology and Surveying (Bundesamt für Eich- und Vermessungswesen) in Vienna, Austria.