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Assessing Uncertainties of a Remote Sensing-based Discharge Reflectance Model for Applications to Large Rivers of the Congo Basin

5 May 2026 by
David Mokoli
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Auteur:  Djamel Kechnit

Co-Auteur: Tshimanga, R. M., Ammari, A., Trigg, M. A.

Review: Hydrological Sciences Journal

Lienhttps://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/02626667.2024.2378486

Résumé:

Adequate monitoring of river discharge is crucial for effective water resource management. However, this objective remains difficult to achieve in the context of large and ungauged river basins. This study assesses the performance of remote sensing applications for discharge monitoring in the lower reach of the Congo River, where daily discharge information is required to support many water resource operations. The approach is based on the use of Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) remote sensing imagery to produce a daily time series of a ratio of reflectance values (C/M) for discharge monitoring. The validation of the approach is performed based on three-year water level data collected at the outlet gauging site and limited in situ Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP) cross-section measurements for high and low flow seasons. The simulated discharge closely matches the observed values and falls within acceptable ranges, with errors below 10% and Nash-Sutcliffe coefficients ranging from 0.65 to 0.76 for ADCP and gauging station, respectively.

Keywords: discharge, large rivers, remote sensing, Congo River, in situ

David Mokoli 5 May 2026
 

Congo Basin Catchment Information System

CB-CIS

Congo Basin Integrated Water Resources Management Tool

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