Automated fluvial hydromorphology mapping from airborne remote sensing

Mapping fluvial hydromorphology is an important part of defining river habitat. Mapping via field sampling or hydraulic modeling is however time consuming, and mapping hydromorphology directly from remote sensing data may offer an efficient solution. Here, we present a system for automated classification of fluvial hydromorphology based on a deep learning classification scheme applied to aerial orthophotos. Using selected rivers in Norway, we show how surface flow patterns (smooth or rippled surfaces vs. standing waves) can be classified in imagery using a trained convolutional neural network (achieving a training and validation accuracy of >95%). We show how integration of these classified surface flow patterns with information on channel gradient, obtained from airborne topographic LiDAR data, can be used to compartmentalize the rivers into hydromorphological units (HMUs) that represent the dominant flow features. Automated classifications were broadly consistent with manual classifications that had been made in previous ground surveys, with equivalency in automated and manually derived HMU classes ranging from 61.5% to 87.7%, depending on the river stretch considered. They were found to be discharge-dependent, showing the temporally dynamic aspect of hydromorphology. The proposed system is quick, flexible, generalizable, and provides consistent classifications free from interpretation bias. The deep learning approach used here can be customized to provide more detailed information on flow features, such as delineating between standing waves and advective diffusion of air bubbles/foam, to provide a more refined classification of surface flow patterns, and the classification approach can be further advanced by inclusion of additional remote sensing methods that provide further information on hydromorphological features.

Automated summary

Mapping fluvial hydromorphology directly from remote sensing data using a deep learning classification scheme offers a quick and efficient solution. This study presents an automated system that classifies surface flow patterns in rivers based on aerial orthophotos using a trained convolutional neural network. The classified flow patterns, combined with channel gradient information from LiDAR data, are used to create hydromorphological units representing dominant flow features. The automated classifications were consistent with manual classifications and showed the temporal dynamics of hydromorphology. The proposed system is flexible and can be further improved by incorporating additional remote sensing methods.