There are no author-identified significant results in this report

Bock, P.

Cooper, S.

English

NASA Technical Reports Server

E'7, 4 - 10.5 4 9
"Made avaifable under NASA spOmt7 ' -1 054
in the interest of early and wide dis- 9 -/
semination of Earth Resources Survey 9 May 1974
Program information and without liability
for any use made thereof."
Type I Progress Report for the Period 14 February to
14 April 1974 for ERTS-1 Data User Investigation of
the Use of ERTS Imagery in Reservoir Management
and Operation - Proposal Number MMC 89
Mr. Saul Cooper - DE 002 - Co-Principal Investigators
Dr. Paul Bock - UN 017
C UO
The eleventh 2-month period of our participation in the ERTS-1
program has been featured by:
a. Continued collection and entry of all DCS data into our
computer, and continued analysis of this data to provide system
reliability and data availability statistics.
b. Continued work on the analysis of the results from our
St o cc Corps-wide questionnaire relating to the present status of and
(D Z P future needs for automated data collection facilities.. A complete
H u discussion will be available in our final study report (the tabu-
m H in lated statistics may be found in Appendix A of our January 1974,
E-4 Type II Report).
M PQ O 4 0
In O o c. Continued analysis of pertinent data and ERTS imagery
: o E from the late June to early July 1973 New England flood (see
S1 W July 1973, Type II Report for further details) to support our study
t) 4= W of the potential usefulness of satellite imagery and data collec-
W 0 tion for NED water related purposes both during and after a
H: E -r significant flood event.
IH P4 Z
PQ :c W d. Progress toward preparation of a snowmelt analysis re-
0o 04 W port (see January 1974, Type II Report for further details) which
SH ~ Ha 3 will be included in our final study report.
~.-
SH W o e. Continued progress in the development of a man/coinputer
i M 4 interactive system for ERTS image processing.
r-m. Ori
H H f. Progress toward preparation of our final study report
detailing all our activities in the development of methods for
analyzing ERTS imagery products to aid Corps watershed manage-
ment functions.
https://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=19740017747 2020-03-23T08:21:45+00:00Z
A listing of the locations of our operating DCP's is inclosed.
Please note the change from the list submitted with our last re-
port. DCS data relay from NASA via our real time teletype link
continues on a timely basis. Punched cards and computer print-
outs of our data also arrive by mail in a timely manner. The
ERTS-1 DCS hardware is still performing well. We are con-
tinuing to record and analyze DCP, sensor and battery perform-
ance and reliability. A complete summary of our statistics will
be presented in the final report.
On 15 February 1974, the U.S. Army Cold Regions Research and
Engineering Laboratory (CRREL) installed a Martek Instrument
Co., Inc. Mark III Water Quality Monitoring System with one of
their DCP's at Libby Dam on the Kootenai River, Libby, Montana.
On 6 April, an air temperature sensor and a rain gage were added
as additional sensors to the DCP's output. The acquired infor-
mation is being monitored and analyzed at CRREL. Significant
results will be summarized in our final report. Beginning 1 April
1974, we began relaying information from our DCP's on the Saint
John River in Maine on a daily basis to those responsible for fore-
casting floodflows on that river. This resulted from an agreement
between officials from Canada and the United States that included
the establishment of the DCP at Nine Mile bridge. The latter is a
key index station for flood forecasts on the Saint John and one that
has never before been accessible for real time data relay.
Negotiations are continuing between Corps of Engineers Head-
quarters and NASA concerning cost allocations related to the
establishment of a demonstration direct downlink at the New Eng-
land Division for collection of ERTS data. We are also following
closely developments regarding the GOES Data Collection System.
On 26 February 1974, a major coordination meeting, involving NED
and CRREL took place at Waltham, Massachusetts. Several meet-
ings have also been held with the University of Connecticut to out-
line their input for our final report.
We continue to be in contact with other ERTS investigators, es-
pecially personnel from NASA, U.S. Department of the Interior,
and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. During
the reporting period, Mr. Cooper attended a meeting with Ball
Brothers, Inc. of Boulder, Colorado at which an inspection was
made of equipment developed for the U.S. Geological Survey: a
2
DCP Memory Board to permit increased amounts of data to be
transmitted via ERTS DCS, as well as an ERTS/GOES convertible
data collection platform. Also, during the reporting period we had
discus-sioris with COMSAT General Corporation concerning the pos-
sible interest of COMSAT in supplying a commercial operational
satellite (or satellites) for data relay. On 10 April, our ERTS Data
Collection System was demonstrated for a .representative of the
Corps North Atlantic Division to assist them in determining the
best procedure for satisfying their own automated data collection
needs.
In letter of 5 March 1974, the New England Division requested that
NASA continue sending ERTS-1 DCS data as long as the satellite is
operational. An extension for acquisition of ERTS imagery, 
for as
long as possible in anticipation of acceptance of our ERTS-B pro-
posed investigation was also requested.
Our ERTS-1 imagery standing order has been changed from two
copies of all material we have been receiving to one copy each and
the part of our order regarding 70 mm. transparencies has been
changed from 70 mm. negatives to 70 mm. positives. We requested
on 19 February and received from NASA during the reporting
period, seven ERTS imagery scenes on magnetic tapes.
1 Incl SAUL COOPE
As stated Principal In estigator
3
......-.- ERTS-1 - DCP INFORMATION SHEET ------
ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS* NEW ENGLAND DIVISION 14 April 1974
ID DCP TYPE* IN-
10s NO --- STATION NAME -- -------- LAT ----- LONG STALLED
-- 1--6254 -S- ---- ST----JOHN RIVER AT FORT KENT, MAINE 47 15---68- 35 -091972
8 6220 S ST. JOHN RIVER AT NINEMILE BR., MAINE 46 4.2 69 43 073073
--2--6355-S-----PENOBSCOT-RIVER-AT-WEST-ENFIELDF-MAINE---4-5-1 4--68-3&-39-092072--
3 6271 S CARABASSETT RIVER AT NORTH ANSON9 MAINE 44 52 69 57 100472
--- 6171--- S -SACO RIVER AT CORNISH, MAINE - -- 43 48 70 -47 - 112872-
6 6273 S PEMIGEWASSET RIVER AT PLYMOUTH, N.He 43 45 71 41 112272
---7 6335 - S -- MERRIMACK RIVER AT GOFFS FALLS, NH. -42 57- -71 28 -032773--
9 6304 S CHARLES Re AT CHARLES R. VILLAGE, MASS. 42 15 71 15 071772
10---6207---------T-OWN BROOK ---AT--QUINCY-i--MASS - ----4-2-15--71]00--090872-
41 6142 S NORTH NASHUA RIVER AT FITCHBURG. MASS. 42 34 71 47 110672
-11 6010 S - PAWTUXET RIVER AT CRANSTON, Role ---- 41 45- 71 27 083072
13 6106 S BRANCH RIVER AT FORESTDALE9 RoIl 42 00 71 34 100173
-12--6127 -S ---- CONNECTICUT RIVER AT. HARTFORD, CONNe -41 46 72 40 083072
-2---602.1--P----&I-NSON-MOUN-TAIN-,----N. Hw---- 49-50---11--4-7--032273-
21 6345 P SOUTH MOUNTAIN, N.H, 42 59 71 35 120672
22 6206 P------- FRANKLIN FALLS DAM, NH - ------- 43 28 71 40- 051773
23 6201 P BLACKWATER DAM, N*H 43 19 71 44 100273
24-- 6012 P MACDOWELL DAM, NH --- ---- 42 54- 71--59 042473
26 6071 P WACHUSETT MOUNTAIN, MASS* 42 29 71 53 100473
-2-5 --P MANSF-IELD---HOLLOW--DAM -- CONNEC-TICU-T ------ 41--6-72--1-1-
30'- 6101 C --STAMFORD BARRIER, STAMFORD, CONNECTICUT - 41 02- 73-32 --.011073
42 ----6272 -Q---- --WESTFIELD Re-AT.-WEST SPRINGFIELD, MASS* ----42 06 --72 38 092872
43 6242 Q CHICOPEE RIVER AT CHICOPEE MASS. 42 09 72 35 121472
50 6147 T NED HEADQUARTERS, WALTHAM, MASS. 42 24 71 13 071772
51 .-- 6325 T --- COLD REGIONS LAB AT HANOVER9 N.H. - VARIABLE 042373
52 6216 T COLD REGIONS LAB AT HANOVER. N.H. VARIABLE 120572
54 6063 -T - U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY, BOSTON, MASS. - VARIABLE 032073
-*--S-RIVER -STAGE
P-PRECIPITATION
C-COASTAL(WIND DIRECTIONVELOCITY AND TIDE) - - -- -
Q-WATER QUALITY(TEMPERATURECONDUCTIVITYPH AND DISSOLVED OXYGEN)
----T-TEST-SET(SENSORS VARIABLE)
~~ ~~--z- ---------------
og--_ 
_ _


ERTS-1 data user investigation of the use of ERTS imagery in reservoir management and operation

15 September 1973
E7.8- 1 1.144
Type I Progress Report for the Period 14 June to 14
August 1973 for ERTS-1 Data User Investigation of
SJ -- the Use of ERTS Imagery in Reservoir Management
and Operation - Proposal Number MMC 89
C
-.- Mr. Saul Cooper - DE 0 0 2 - Co-Principal Investigators
Sm Dr. Paul Bock - UN 017
. 2 J - The seventh 2-month period of our participation in the ERTS-1
program has been featured by:
o
truth data into our computer, and continued analysis of this
data to provide system reliability and data availability
- ,- statistics.
b. Preliminary work in the preparation of the Proceedings
-of the ERTS-1 Data Collection Workshop held at Wallops Station,
( Virginia on 30-31 May 1973, in cooperation with personnel from
S NASA GSFC, Maryland and Wallops Station, Virginia.
c. The mailing of our questionnaire to determine the auto-
tn0 mated data collection needs of all offices of the Corps of Engi-
S0 neers in this country (see July 1973, Type II Report for a copy
of the questionnaire).
U) d. Continued development of techniques for analyzing ERTS
imagery products to aid Corps watershed management functions,
ii o o including snow and ice mapping, determining of water storage
Su m V4 characteristics of river flood plains and wetlands and investi-
SL( '1 gating turbidity and sedimentation in certain water bodies.
Se. Continued progress in the development of a man/computer
U- m interactive system for ERTS image processing including a new
-:4 study of the applicability of automatic data processing techniques
S0 4 for surface water inventorying and classification.
H H P f. Collection of pertinent data relating to the late June,
r - SV-4 r r
I H H L1
https://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=19740002235 2020-03-23T14:15:08+00:00Z
early July 1973 New England flood (see July 1973 Type II Report
for further details) to support a study of the potential usefulness
of satellite imagery and data collection for NED water related
purposes both during and after a significant flood event.
A listing of the locations of our operating DCP's and proposed
sites is inclosed. Note changes from the list submitted with our
last report. Data relay from NASA via our real time teletype
link continues to be timely, with a lag of approximately 45 min-
utes between ERTS-1 passover and arrival of the data at the New
England Division. We wish to express our approval of the new
format for DCS punchcard and computer printout data. We have
also been especially pleased with the efficiency and attentiveness
to the DCS program that has been evident on the part of NASA
during the recent reporting period. Our association with
Mr. Gale, of NASA GSFC, has shown him to be outstandingly
concerned with both the overall needs of the DCS program and
individual investigators involved in it.
The ERTS-1 DCP hardware continues to perform well. The few
remaining equipment problems concern the water quality monitor-
ing sites, and are sensor, rather than DCP-related. Seasonal
variations in climate and associated meteorological extremes
from winter through summer have had no noticeable effects on the
operating capabilities of our DCP's. The "Gel-Cell" batteries
that power the DCP installations continue to exceed all expecta-
tions of useful life. Several sets of batteries were in continuous
operation for as much as 12 months before failure, compared to
4 to 6 months' life expectancy.
Precipitation and coastal station sensor problems have been over-
come and data from these stations are now being analyzed together
with that from the river stage sites. The percentage of the number
of good reports to total reports received for each of the operating
DCP's continuesto be 95 percent or higher in nearly all cases. The
overall figure for our DCS system is 97. 7 percent, based on data
for the period from 1 January 1973 through 9 September 1973. (For
a detailed discussion of how these statistics are computed see
pages 5-6 of our July 1973 Type II Report).
We are continuing to actively pursue our interest in having a direct
DCS downlink installed at our Waltham Headquarters. Considerable
time has been spent in the past several lnonths exploring the hardware
2
requirements of such a setup. We have asked NASA, Wallops
Station personnel to assist in our evaluation of equipment and
also to cost out a complete downlink.
Our imagery studies during the reporting period have been
mainly a continuation of work reported in the July 1973 Type II
Report. These include studies for developing techniques for using
ERTS imagery in snow and ice mapping, determining of water
storage characteristics of river flood plains and wetlands and in-
vestigating turbidity and sedimentation in certain water bodies.
In the development of a man/computer interactive system for
ERTS image processing, we currently can print sections of
images from MSS tapes onto paper or onto an IBM 2250 Cathode
Ray Tube (CRT). Close-up and wide angle shots may be obtained
and worked with on the CRT screen. Work is now proceeding
with the next step, involving study toward an efficient means of
information reduction, storage and retrieval. Ideas concerning
reducibility and reconstructability of high dimensional data are
being pursued. A picture associated language will be developed
to serve as the core of the data base which will be organized into
a hierarchical tree-like structure for efficient storage and retrieval.
In this structure, each type of hydrologic event is assigned a set
of names. Each name in turn has a list of characteristics, each
one of which has associated an estimated probability to reflect
its uncertainty. In our interactive environment these charac-
teristics include both the information obtained from the actual
image, and the ground truth supplied by the operator. Through
this system a dynamic information file will be developed for the
images which will be accessible through the hydrologic events.
New work is proceeding to determine the applicability of auto-
matic data processing of ERTS imagery for surface water inven-
torying and classification.
During the reporting period the U.S. Army Cold Regions Research
and Engineering Laboratory (CRREL) continued with the construc-
tion of an ERTS imagery mosaic of all New England at a scale of
1:500, 000.
We continue to be in contact with other ERTS investigators, and
3
especially personnel from the U.S. Department of the Interior,
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and NASA. A
major one-day coordination meeting involving the New England
Division, Corps of Engineers, U.S. Army Cold Regions Research
and Engineering Laboratory, the University of Connecticut and
the U.S. Geological Survey, Hartford, Connecticut took place at
the New England Division Headquarters on 1 August 1973. The
meeting featured progress reports and discussions of future plans
for all aspects of this ERTS-1 investigation. Mr. Fred Ruggles
of the USGS, Hartford, reported on his studies of flood analysis,
using ERTS-1 imagery and coordinated certain aspects of his
planned future work of this type with those groups present at the
meeting.
The following data requests were submitted to NASA since our
last Type I report:
5/11: magnetic tapes for five ERTS-1 images
6/29: magnetic tapes for two ERTS-1 images
We also requested extra fast service as well as additional imagery
products to cover the flood in New England imaged by ERTS-1 on
5, 6 and 7 July. We were quite pleased by the cooperativeness of
NASA in this and the speed with which our order was filled. No
changes were made in our ERTS standing order forms since our
last Type I Report.
1 Incl CO ER
As stated Principal Investator
4
ERTS-1 - DCP INFORMATION SHE:ET_
ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS, -NEW ENGLAND DIVISION 14 AUG, 1973
ID DCP TYPE*
NO. NO, STATION NAME - LAT LONG STALLED
1 6233 S ST, JtOHj RI VER AT_ EQL__L___T A I NE 47 L568U_.35__Q_-
9
-17 2--
8 6220 S ST. JOHN RIVER AT NINEMILE BR., ,AINE 46 42 69 43 073073
2 6355 5 PENOBSCOT RIVER AT WEST ENFIELD, MAIN
'  45 1_4 68.39 09272
3 6246 5 CARABASSETT RIVER AT NORTH ANSONv, MAINE 44 52 69 57 100472
5 6171 S SACO RIVER AT CORNISH, MAINE 43 4_8 70 4_71__ _L218_
6 6273 5 PEMIGEWASSET RIVER AT PLYMOUTH, N.H. 43 45 71' 41 112272
7 6304 S MERRIMACK RIVER AT GOFFS FALLS, N.H. 42 57 71 2 0_32
7 73
9 6356 S CHARLES R. AT CHARLES R. VILLAGE, MASS. 42 15 71 15 071772
10 6207 S TOWN BROOK AT QUINCY, MASS. 42 15 71 00 090872
41 6142 S NORTH NASHUA RIVER AT FITCHBURG, MASS. 42 34 71 47 110672
11 6010 S PAWTUXET RIVER AT CRANSTON, RI.. 41 45 71 27 090672
13 S BRANCH RIVER AT FORESTDALE, RPI. 42 00 71 34
12 6127 S CONNECTICUT RIVER AT HARTFORD, CONN. 41 46 72 40 083072
20 6042 P STINSON MOUNTAIN, N*.H 43 50 71 47 032273
21 6345 P SOUTH MOUNTAIN, N.H. 42 59 71 35 120672
22 6206 P FRANKLIN FALLS DAM, N.H. 43 28 71 40 051773
23 P BLACKWATER DAM, N.H. 43 19 71 44
24 *6012 P MACDOWELL DAY, N.H. 42 54 71 59 042473
26 P WACHUSETT MOUNTAIN, MASS. 42 29 71 53
25 P MANSFIELD HOLLOW DAM, CONNECTICUT 41 46 72 11
30 6101 C ,STAMFORD BARRIER, STAM FORD, CONNECTICUT 41 02 73__32 011073
40 6254 Q ASHUELOT RIVER AT WINCHESTER, N.H. 42 47 72 23 121272
42 6272 Q WESTFIELD R. AT WEST SPRIIGFIELD, MASS 42 06 72 38 09;872
43 6242 Q CHICOPEE RIVER AT CHICOPEE, M'ASS. 42 09 72 35 121472
50 6147 T NED HEADQUARTERS, WALTHAM, MASS. 42 24 71 13 071772
51 6325 T COLD REGIONS LAB AT HANOVER, N.H. VARIABLE 042373
52 6216 T COLD REGIONS LAB AT HANOVER, N.H. VARIABLE 120572
54 6063 T U.S. GEOLOGICAL SULVEY, BOSTC,9 MAE_. VARIAR E _2/-3
* S-RIVER STAGE
P-PRECIPITATION
C-COA STALAwIN\D DIECII ,VELC IY AND DDE __
Q-wATER CUALITY(TEVPERATURECONDUCTIVITYPH AND DISSOLVED OXYGEN)
T-TEST SET(SENSORS VARIABLE)


E7.4- 10.22.3"Made available under NASA sponsorship-
in the interest of early and wide -s- /,
semination of Earth Resources Survey 15 December 1973
Program information and without haoility
for any use made thereof."
00 Type I Progress Report for the Period 14 August to
S14 October 1973 for ERTS-1 Data User Investigation
oL of the Use of ERTS Imagery in Reservoir Management
a and Operation - Proposal Number MMC 89
U N
z0
mMr. Saul Cooper - DE 002
Dr. Paul Bock - UN 017 - Co-Principal Investigators
The eighth 2-month period of our participation in the ERTS-1 program
c has been featured by:
# U a. Continued collection and entry of all DCS and ground truth
H 11 data into our computer, and continued analysis of this data to pro-
H vide up-to-date system reliability and data availability statistics.
b. Continued work in the preparation of the Proceedings of the
M o ERTS-1 Data Collection Workshop held at Wallops Station, Virginia
o 4 on 30-31 May 1973, in cooperation with personnel from NASA GSFC,
0 a,% Maryland and Wallops Station, Virginia.
P4 -- c. Receipt of filled-in questionnaires from Corps of Engineers
IQ offices throughout the United States relating to present status of
and future needs for automated data collection facilities (see July
% 1973, Type II Report for a copy of the questionnaire). A summary
and discussion of the information obtained by the questionnaires is
iPz o c presently in preparation and will be included in our upcoming Type
II Report.
r m d. Preliminary analysis of pertinent data and ERTS imagery from
C4 (4 a the late June, early July 1973 New England flood (see July 1973, TypeL, "C1 4 II Report for further details) to support our study of the potential
S~m> ol usefulness of satellite imagery and data collection for NED water re-
Slated purposes both during and after a significant flood event.
e. With the snow season approaching, special emphasis, in our
imagery studies, upon development of techniques for utilizing ERTS
imagery for snow cover mapping.
f. Progress toward preparation of a technical report detailing
all of our activities to date in the development of methods for
https://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=19740006915 2020-03-23T13:20:09+00:00Z
analyzing ERTS imagery products to aid Corps watershed management
functions. We expect to include this as part of our next Type II
Report.
A listing of the locations of our operating DCP's and the remaining
proposed site is inclosed. Note changes from the list submitted
with our last report. We have also recently revised our DCP site
map. This too is inclosed.
CRREL (The U.S. Army Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory)
has installed a Martek Instrument Co., Inc. Mark III Water Quality
Monitoring System, together with one of their test DCP's, at Wilder
Dam on the Connecticut River. Sensors are six feet down beneath the
water surface in the river next to the dam. They are monitoring:
depth of water above sensor, temperature of the water, conductivity,
pH, dissolved oxygen and air temperature (with a diode).
DCS data relay from NASA via our real time teletype link continues
to be timely, with a lag of approximately 45 minutes between ERTS-1
passover and arrival of the data at the New England Division. Punched
cards and computer printouts of our data continue to arrive in a timely
manner by mail.
The ERTS-1 DCP hardware continues to perform well. Sensor-related
equipment problems are now of minimal effect. Most failures in the
DCS system since our last report have been due to battery expiration,
and these only after prolonged battery use. The "Gel-Cell" batteries
that power the DCP installations continue to last between 5 and 12
months. The average life of the batteries that have expired, to date,
is 7.25 months.
DCS data continues to show a high degree of reliability. Starting
20 September 1973 we began to receive messages of all confidence
levels from NASA instead of only messages with the highest confidence
level (7). Thus, prior to 20 September many reports originally com-
prising both good and bad messages were screened by NASA and only the
remaining good messages were sent to us, leading us to classify these
reports as good. Under such circumstances, from 1 January through
9 September, DCS reliability (good reports/total reports received)
was calculated to be 97.7 percent. Now that we are receiving all
messages we plan to alter our system of classification. If two con-
secutive messages within a report contain the same values for param-
eters being measured, it will be considered a good report regardless
2
of the confidence level of the messages. Updated reliability sta-
tistics will be calculated and reported.
We are continuing to actively pursue our interest in having a direct
DCS downlink installed at our Waltham Headquarters. We are firmly
convinced that the concept of regional downlinks must be considered,
and such a setup physically tested, in relation to the development
of the specifications for any operational satellite data collection
system.
Imagery activities for the entire period of our ERTS-1 investigation
through 1 September 1973 are being consolidated in the form of a
technical report. The major features include an evaluation of the
ERTS-1 imagery system to provide useful hydrologic information for
Corps of Engineers operations in the NED region, results of using
ERTS-1 in the investigation and evaluation of individual hydrologic
parameters, and proposed models for further application of ERTS-1
imagery data in the evaluation of these parameters.
Most of the remainder of the reporting period was spent in the con-
tinued study and evaluation of snow and snowmelt phenomena as re-
vealed by ERTS-1 during the period January through April 1973.
Additive color techniques were used to produce color composite snow
maps from ERTS-1 imagery. For regular snow mapping it was found
that Diazo polyester color prints of 9.5 x 9.5 inch ERTS-1 positive
transparencies are satisfactory for making single band color over-
lays of ERTS-1 frames to give wide area regional coverage (four or
more adjacent ERTS frames). With proper registration, composite
images can be obtained for the combination of two or more bands. The
individual colored overlays indicate absorption in the particular
bands when positives are used (as opposed to reflection in the case
of negatives). The best color combination for snow mapping was judged
to be:
MSS - 7: Cyan
MSS - 5: Magenta
MSS - 4: Red
It provides good contrast between snow/nonsnow covered areas. A
striking feature of using color composites in this manner is that
variations in quality of water in the solid or quasi-solid phases
are greatly enhanced. Some significant observations are the fol-
lowing:
3
a. Color composites ehhance the contrasts between ice covered
and snow covered areas. Ice covering surface waters such as rivers
and lakes shows up as a light cyan color whereas snow covering shows
up as white in the above mentioned combination. This implies that
over ice some absorption is occurring in band 7 while reflection
is still predominant in bands 4 and 5. This selective absorption of
near - IR radiation in the case of ice may be due in part to the
underlying liquid water and/or to the denser more crystalline prop-
erties of ice as opposed to the particulate structure of snow.
b. Color composites greatly enhance the contrasts between snow
and nonsnow covered areas.
c. Comparisons between winter and early spring snow scenes in-
dicate that the greater illumination provided in the early spring
due to a higher sun angle appears to increase the contrast between
snow and nonsnow covered areas by overcoming the interference of
vegetative cover. Furthermore, while the reflectance from both snow
and nonsnow covered land increases at this season, the increase in
reflection occurring over snow covered areas appears to be greater,
thus increasing the overall contrast between the two. Finally, mid-
winter shadows, which in some respects tend to highlight or enhance
terrain and geological features, at the same time tend to obscure
snow cover. In fact, shadows of trees in heavily forested areas
caused by the low winter sun angle appear to be as much or more of
an obscuring factor than the vegetative "mat" of trees themselves.
In a previous progress report, observed snow melting phenomena were
mentioned as having occurred in the overlap region of two adjacent
ERTS-1 orbital paths, one day apart in time. Overlapping sections
of image frames taken on the two successive days, 6 and 7 April 1973
(E-1257 and E-1258), were overlaid to show the decrease in snow cover
caused by melting which took place during the intervening 24 hours.
The Contoocook River basin, a sub-basin of the Merrimack River basin
in western New Hampshire was located entirely within the overlap
region. It appeared to have considerable snow cover on 6 April as
indicated by imagery and meteorological records, with an obvious
drastic reduction by 7 April, except in the upper elevations along
the basin divides. Estimates of increased snowmelt and runoff were
made by two entirely independent methods and revealed that perhaps
0.2 to 0.3 inch of snow as water equivalent had melted over the 766-
square mile basin in the intervening 24-hour period between coverages
by ERTS-1. Most of this showed up as runoff at the mouth of the river.
Thus, besides providing a visual representation of a dynamic hydrologic
4
event, some indication was provided by ERTS imagery of the amount
of water stored as snow accumulation. The photo interpretations
and hydrologic analyses are being assembled into a technical report.
We are currently considering extending our subcontract with the
University of Connecticut for the study of ERTS imagery. This would
be primarily for the determination of the potential usefulness of
ERTS-type imagery for NED water related purposes both during and
after a significant flood event, using data from the late June - early
July 1973 New England flood.
During the reporting period CRREL completed and delivered to NED, for
display purposes, two identical ERTS-1 imagery mosaics of all New
England at a scale of 1:500,000. These were constructed of a mix-
ture of MSS-6 and 7 scenes taken during September and October 1972
and are negative renditions to enhance surficial waters.
We continue to be in contact with other ERTS investigators, and espe-
cially personnel from NASA, the U.S. Department of the Interior, and
the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. We are carefully
following developments regarding the GOES Data Collection System.
No data requests were submitted to NASA since our last Type I report.
Beginning 20 September we began receiving DCS messages from NASA at
all confidence levels, compared to receipt of confidence level 7
data only prior to that date.
2 Incl SAUL COOPER
As stated Principal Investigator
5
ERTS-1 - DCP INFORMATION SHEET
ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS, NEW ENGLAND DIVISION 14 OCT, 1973
ID DCP TYPE* IN-
NO. NO. STATION NAME LAT LONG STALLED
1 6233 S ST. JOHN RIVER AT FORT KENT, MAINE 47 15 68 35 091972
8 6220 S ST. JOHN RIVER AT NINEMILE BR., MAINE 46 42 69 43 073073
2 6355 S PENOBSCOT RIVER AT WEST ENFIELD, MAINE 45 14 68 39 092072
3 6246 S CARABASSETT RIVER AT NORTH ANSON, MAINE 44 52 69 57 100472
5 6171 S SACO RIVER AT CORNISH, MAINE 43 48 70 47 112872
6 6273 S PEMIGEWASSET RIVER AT PLYMOUTH, N.H. 43 45 71 41 112272
7 6304 S MERRIMACK RIVER AT GOFFS FALLS, N.H. 42 57 71 28 032773
9 6356 S CHARLES R. AT CHARLES R. VILLAGE, MASS. 42 15 71 15 071772
10 6207 S TOWN BROOK AT QUINCY, MASS. 42 15 71 00 090872
41 6142 S NORTH NASHUA RIVER AT FITCHBURG, MASS. 42 34 71 47 110672
11 6010 S PAWTUXET RIVER AT CRANSTON, R.I. 41 45 71 27 090672
13 6106 S B RANCH R IVER A-_ERESIDAL E, R.I. 42 0_0 71 3_4 100_13_
12 6127 S CONNECTICUT RIVER AT HARTFORD, CONN# 41 46 72 40 083072
20 6042 P STINSON MOUNTAIN, N.H. 43 50 71 47 032273
21 631-5 P SOU _T I-UNTANINt N.H . 42 59 71 35_2.-0I672
22 6206 P FRANKLIN FALLS DAM, N.H. 43 28 71 40 051773
_23 62_01 P BLAC.W-ATER_DA . N H-19 71 43 19 44 100271
24 6012 P MACDOWELL DAM, N.H. 42 54 71 59 042473
2_6 6071 P WACHUSETT MOUNTAIN. MASS. 42 29 71 53 100473
25 P MANSFIELD HOLLOW DAM, CONNECTICUT 41 46 72 11
30 6101 C STAMFORD BARRIER, STAMFORD, CONNECTICUT 41 02 73 32 011073
4-0 _625A4 Q ASIUELQTIRIVFR AAT WINCHESFER, N.H. 42 47 72 23 121277
42 6272 Q WESTFIELD R. AT WEST SPRINGFIELD, MASS. 42 06 72 38 092872
3 6242 0 CHICOPEE RIVER AT CHTCOPEF. MASS, 47 09 72 35 121472
5D_0 -_6_1_4_7 T NE.D_EADOUARERSH, WALLHAM-,-MASS-.- 42-2-4L7-1 1-3 071772
51 6325 T COLD REGIONS LAB AT HANOVER, N.H. VARIABLE 042373
52 62_1_6_ T CQLDREGlI0_N.SLABAI THAO-VERNL.H. VARIALBLE 120572
54 6063 T U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY, BOSTON, MASS. VARIABLE 032073
S* -RIVER STAGE
_ P - PRELC_IPIA TION
C-COASTAL(WIND DIRECTION,VELOCITY AND TIDE)
0-WATER QUALITY(TEMPERA-RE CONDU-IIVTVITYPH AND DISSLE.D-OXYGF)
T-TEST SET(SENSORS VARIABLE)
6
ERTS- 1 DATA REPORTING STATIONS
FT. KENT
CARIBOU
0
LEGEND NINE MILE BR.
ERTS STATIONS
' RIVER STAGE EOULTO
* PRECIPITATION ESVOIR
L COASTAL MAINE
r WATER QUALITY
* TEST SET (S)
CAN A D A W. ENFIELD
S sT AIs
" ANSON
NEW. H
V O 0VERMONT HA PSHIRE '
NW E N CRRE PYLANDH NO
MT KMA 
WACl SETT MT WALTHAM, NED HDORS.
SEPTEMBER 1973ERCOUECTICUTMRNSFIO
DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
WALTHAM, MASS.
SEPTEMBER 1973


ERTS-1 data user investigation of the use of ERTS imagery in reservoir management and operation

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