Monitoring Dam Conditions with Satellite Data Analysis
Kouris Dam, Cyprus
Highlights
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Non-Intrusive Monitoring: Leveraged satellite data instead of traditional methods like site visits, sampling, and lab testing for water quality and structural monitoring.
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Key Indicators: Measured total suspended matter and chlorophyll-a concentrations across the Asprokremmos and Kouris reservoirs.
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Cost and Efficiency: Provided rapid, large-scale, and remote assessments, reducing time and resources required for monitoring.
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Transformative Approach: Enabled monitoring in areas with challenging or costly site access, delivering valuable insights into water body health and dam stability.
The Kouris Dam, located near Limassol, Cyprus, is a critical piece of infrastructure with a height of 110 meters. It plays a vital role in water management and storage for the region, ensuring a steady supply of water for agriculture, industry, and households. Given its importance, maintaining the structural integrity of the dam is paramount to safeguarding lives, property, and resources.
Since 2015, the use of Sentinel-1 satellite data and Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) technology has enabled transformative advances in how the Kouris Dam is monitored. By adopting these cutting-edge tools, stakeholders have been able to track structural displacements with millimetric precision, ensuring timely interventions and improved resource allocation.
Introduction
Traditional Monitoring: Strengths and Limitations
Traditional dam monitoring relies on in-situ methods, such as ground surveys, extensometers, and piezometers, to collect data on displacement and water quality. While effective for localised measurements, these techniques have notable limitations:
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Point-Based Data: Measurements are collected only at specific locations, potentially missing broader patterns of displacement or instability.
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Resource-Intensive: Ground-based monitoring requires substantial investment in equipment, manpower, and site visits, which can become prohibitively expensive for large or remote dams.
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Access Challenges: Difficult terrain or adverse weather can impede regular monitoring, leaving potential issues undetected.
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​In contrast, satellite-based monitoring addresses many of these challenges by offering a comprehensive, efficient, and non-intrusive alternative.
Efficiency and Cost-Effectiveness
InSAR-based monitoring is not only highly accurate but also incredibly cost-effective. Traditional methods, which involve labour-intensive site visits and expensive equipment, are often limited in scope due to budget constraints.
By contrast, satellite-based monitoring:
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Reduces Costs: Eliminates the need for extensive ground equipment and personnel, saving significant resources.
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Saves Time: Provides rapid assessments over large areas, reducing the time required for data collection and analysis.
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Minimises Risk: Avoids putting surveyors in hazardous conditions, such as steep slopes or unstable ground near the dam.
In addition, satellite monitoring allows resources to be focused on areas showing signs of instability, ensuring that in-situ investigations are conducted where they are most needed.
The monitoring of Kouris Dam using Sentinel-1 satellite data and InSAR technology has set a new standard for dam safety and resource efficiency. By providing comprehensive, accurate, and cost-effective insights into structural behaviour, this approach ensures the long-term stability of one of Cyprus’ most critical infrastructures.
In addition to structural monitoring, the application of satellite technology to water quality assessments demonstrates the versatility and transformative potential of remote sensing for environmental management. As more stakeholders recognise the value of these innovative tools, the adoption of satellite-based monitoring is likely to become a cornerstone of modern infrastructure and environmental management strategies.
To learn more about how satellite technology can revolutionise your monitoring needs, contact us today.
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