Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Mapping of River Flow for Water Resources Management

Unmanned aerial vehicle surveying of the riverbed enables detailed mapping of the river flow, which is useful for various purposes such as flood management, ecosystem monitoring and geological processes. Unmanned aerial vehicles are used to collect data on water height, flow velocity and bed shape, creating precise maps of river systems. This process can be fast, efficient and safe for operators, and is therefore increasingly used in scientific research and water resource management. Riverbed surveying can be done with a LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging/Laser scanning) camera which collects visual data on the condition of the riverbed, such as changes in shape, erosion and sedimentation. LiDAR cameras, also known as side-scan sonar, use sound signals to collect data on the depth and shape of the riverbed and create a precise 3D map of the riverbed. This process enables a detailed analysis of the river system and is useful for water resource management and environmental protection. The paper will give an overview of the methods and technologies that are currently relevant for the implementation of such recordings. Also, future work will be presented, as well as the advantages and challenges of such a project from an economic and technological point of view.