This Surface Water dataset is derived from ESA Sentinel-1, launched in 2014 and captured approximately every 12 days.
Sentinel-1 uses C-band synthetic aperture radar to collect data in any conditions, regardless of weather or time of day.
This dataset is ideal for assessing water conditions in areas with significant cloud cover or storms, and applications include monitoring changes in bodies of water or post-disaster assessments. Surface Water is displayed on a spectrum from dry to water, or white to blue respectively, and can be viewed visually or as a time-series in Analyze Area. While similar to S2 Surface Water – also in Lens – this dataset comes from radar data, the first ever dataset in Lens to do so!
Importantly, as can be the case with using any dataset, there are some caveats to note: urban areas and places with dramatic topography like mountains might look a little off, so be sure to use this dataset alongside truecolor imagery to check on what you're seeing.
This dataset is now available free for all current customers.
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