Monitoring Reservoir Sedimentation in Cameroon and Peru with Satellite Data
Earth Observation data combined with river flow models is improving how sediment build-up in reservoirs is monitored in Cameroon and Peru, helping identify both long-term trends and extreme events to support better water and infrastructure management.
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Description
Satellite data combined with river flow models is helping to improve how sediment build-up in reservoirs is monitored around the world. Instead of relying on broad annual averages, this Earth Observation (EO) approach makes it possible to track sediment movement more frequently and pick up both gradual changes and sudden spikes that would otherwise be missed.
In pilot projects in Cameroon (Lagdo Reservoir) and Peru (Poechos Reservoir), supported by the World Bank, the method has shown clear benefits. In Cameroon, satellite-based turbidity maps help identify where sediment is entering the reservoir and which tributaries are contributing most. In Peru, the data revealed that a significant share of sediment inflow happened during just two extreme El Niño years, showing how a few events can dominate long-term patterns.
These kinds of insights are useful for planning maintenance more effectively, targeting dredging where it is actually needed, and improving long-term management of water resources, hydropower, and flood protection.
You can find out more about this Case Study on the GDA Impact Sphere: Tracking sediment from space: Reservoir insights in Cameroon and Peru