Calculation of snow depth and volume from radar images; The case of Mount Erci̇yes

Seasonal observation of snow, which is an important precipitation factor in supply the water needs of a large part of the world population, is important in terms of protection and monitoring of existing water resources. The rapidly increasing world population and the cumulatively global warming factors have once again revealed the importance of obtaining data from snow-covered areas. In recent years, valuable information on water resources management and hydrological modeling can be obtained by monitoring and obtaining information from snow-covered areas using radar data. In this thesis, it is aimed to calculate snow depth, snow volume and snow-water equivalent for Mount Erciyes by using HH polarized images, sensed in StripMap (SM) mode of TerraSAR-X satellite. In this context, Digital Elevation Models (DEM) were produced using SAR images. Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM), ALOS World 3D (AW3D), TanDEM-X WorldDEM and stereo DEM data were used as external DEM data required during DEM generation. In addition, the point elevation information obtained from the field studies conducted simultaneously with the satellite pass during the summer period was compared with the elevations obtained from the SAR data and statistical analyzes were applied. As a result of the analysis, it was seen that the stereo DEM data gave the most accurate result with a mean square error value of 1.52 m. Moreover a model has been created in order to calculate the snow depth, snow volume and snow-water equivalent with using radar data. On the other hand, field study was conducted simultaneously with satellite pass during the winter period and snow depth measurements were carried out from points homogeneously scattered within the study area. Snow density, which is an important factor in determining the depth of snow, was calculated by three different methods (kriging, optimization and ISO-4355). Also, snow volume and snow-water equivalent maps were produced based on the depth and density of snow. Total snow volume and snow-water equivalent have been calculated in the study area. In the light of the obtained results, it has been revealed that the produced model can be used in snow depth, snow volume and snow-water equivalent calculations.