Satellite technology can now detect perilous alterations in Alaska’s icy rivers during winter, including the emergence of risky open water sections.
A novel technology has been developed by researchers at the University of Alaska Fairbanks to identify open water areas during the early winter freeze of the state’s rivers. This classification system utilizes synthetic-aperture radar (SAR) and holds potential for application in Arctic regions facing similar challenges with open water zones.
The concept revolves around utilizing this classification to develop hazard maps for travelers, particularly common among rural Alaskans. Frozen rivers serve as “ice highways,” often traversed by individuals for fishing and hunting purposes.
Melanie Engram, a remote sensing scientist from the Water and Environmental Research Center at the UAF Institute of Northern Engineering, spearheaded the research. She explained, “Our focus is on distinguishing between solid ice and open water patches. While numerous studies in Canada have explored various ice types, our approach simplifies the classification to a binary: ice or open water.”
The latest detection technique is outlined in a study published in Remote Sensing of Environment.
As climate change intensifies, open water areas in rivers pose significant dangers, especially with the altered freezing patterns observed in Arctic regions. Research indicates delayed freezing and earlier ice break-up, affecting rural winter river travel. Engram and collaborators devised a river ice classification system based on data from eight Alaskan rivers. Their aim was to create a method applicable from October to January, addressing the hazards posed by open water zones during mid-winter.
Engram noted, “This system is adaptable and can be automated for rivers in any northern latitude region to generate maps of current open water zones. Its application isn’t limited to Alaska.” He explained, “We deployed shore-based cameras extensively throughout the state, capturing daily river images. Additionally, we engaged with communities to understand their priorities.”
The study analyzed sections of eight rivers: Colville, Noatak, Tanana, Yukon, Kantishna, Innoko, Copper, and Kuskokwim. These areas exhibited varying characteristics such as volume, width, glacial silt content, and channel types.
“We’re fortunate that scientists worldwide, not just those at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, have access to such data,” she remarked. “Thanks to the Alaska Satellite Facility, SAR data has become more accessible for scientists of all kinds. You don’t need to be an expert in SAR to utilize it effectively.”
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