Remote sensing-based object-orientated approach to determine frozen lake condition

• Main Author: Jenkins, Liza K.
• Format: Text
• Language: unknown
• Published: Digital Commons @ Michigan Tech 2009
• Subjects: remote sensing; ice; satellite technology; Physical Sciences and Mathematics; north slope; Alaska
• Online Access: https://digitalcommons.mtu.edu/mtri_p/116; http://iaglr.org/conference/past.php

The North Slope of Alaska encompasses 89,000 square miles. Lakes are a dominate feature on the North Slope, but due to the vast geographic area and remote location, ground surveys are not feasible and little data currently exists on these lakes. Building upon previous research, we have developed a remote sensing-based approach to distinguish between lakes on the North Slope that are completely frozen to the lakebed with lakes that have some liquid water. An object-orientated approach has been used to map freeze condition that utilizes the specific advantages of electro-optical and radar data to extract lake boundaries and areas of frozen water in a more accurate and efficient manner. Identification of freeze condition is useful for determining the feasibility of winter water withdrawal for oil and gas development activities and for assessing which lakes are capable of supporting diverse biota. Data outputs have also been used to enhance remote sensing based bathymetry algorithms. Our work on the North Slope could also be applicable to other shallow lakes in the Great Lakes basin and any other applicable cold regions of the world.