Reclamation Information Sharing Environment (RISE)

Through the use of satellite imagery and spectral indices, remote sensing technology can be used to detect a variety of environmental phenomena. Researchers have developed spectral indices – mathematical equations using various bands or wavelengths sensed by satellites or aerial systems – to answer questions of land cover, drought intensity, vegetation density, and other environmental parameters from a bird’s eye view. The Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) is experiencing both water quality challenges and economic impacts because of harmful algal blooms (HABs), invasive zebra and quagga mussels, and invasive aquatic vegetation (e.g., floating plants such as hyacinth, duckweed, and salvinia). This project assessed existing publicly available HAB remote sensing tools and investigated literature on remote sensing detection research for invasive mussels and vegetation. While no existing tools or clear path to create tools for invasive mussels or vegetation were found, a guidance document summarizing seven available HAB detection tools was created and disseminated across Reclamation to improve Reclamation’s ability to detect and respond to HAB events.