Prospects of Using Satellite Data for Determining Water Levels in Large Lakes and Reservoirs: A Case Study for Russian Water Bodies

Abstract— Over the past two decades, the volume and quality of information received from satellites to determine the water level of large lakes and reservoirs have significantly increased. At the same time, due to insufficient accuracy, the results of satellite measurements need an adjustment based on the comparison with ground-based observations. The latter not only allow evaluating errors in satellite data, but also serve as a kind of a benchmark for the development and adaptation of the methods of their correction. Such a methodology is being developed for several years jointly by the Laboratory of Space Geophysical and Oceanographic Studies (LEGOS, France) and the State Hydrological Institute. The paper analyzes the causes and sources of errors in satellite and ground data, the techniques for comparing and analyzing long-term series of these data, and the methods for adapting the results of satellite observations in order to improve their accuracy. The directions of further development of satellite altimetry are considered to increase the reliability of satellite data on the water level of inland water bodies.