@article{fdi:010060629,
  title = {{C}haracterizing floods in the poorly gauged wetlands of the {T}ana {R}iver {D}elta, {K}enya, using a water balance model and satellite data},
  author = {{L}eauthaud, {C}. and {B}elaud, {G}. and {D}uvail, {S}t{\'e}phanie and {M}oussa, {R}. and {G}runberger, {O}livier and {A}lbergel, {J}ean},
  editor = {},
  language = {{ENG}},
  abstract = {{W}etlands, such as those of the {T}ana {R}iver {D}elta in {K}enya, are vital but threatened ecosystems. {T}he flooding characteristics of wetlands largely determine their physical, chemical and biological properties, so their quantification is crucial for wetland management. {T}his quantification can be achieved through hydrological modelling. {I}n addition, the analysis of satellite imagery provides essential hydrological data to monitor floods in poorly gauged zones. {T}he objective of this study was to quantify the main water fluxes and flooding characteristics (extent, duration and number of floods) in the poorly gauged {T}ana {R}iver {D}elta in {E}ast {A}frica during 2002-2011. {T}o do so, we constructed a lumped hydrological model (the {T}ana {I}nundation {M}odel, {TIM}) that was calibrated and validated with {MODIS} data. {F}urther analysis of the {MYD}09{A}1 500 m composite product provided a map of the empirical probability of flooded state. {I}n non-extreme years and for the current topology of the delta, the flood extent exceeded 300 km(2). {F}loods over 200 km2 occurred on average once a year, with a mean duration of 18 days. {R}iver discharge from the upper basin counted for over 95% of the total water inflow. {T}he results are discussed in the light of possible improvements of the models and wetland management issues. {T}his study provides the first known quantification of spatial and temporal flooding characteristics in the {T}ana {R}iver {D}elta. {A}s such, it is essential for the water and natural resource management of the {T}ana {R}iver basin. {T}he water balance approach was pertinent to the study of this system, for which information on its internal properties and processes is limited. {T}he methodology, a combination of hydrological modelling and flood mapping using {MODIS} products, should be applicable to other areas, including those for which data are scarce and cloud cover may be high, and where a medium spatial resolution is required.},
  keywords = {{KENYA}},
  booktitle = {},
  journal = {{H}ydrology and {E}arth {S}ystem {S}ciences},
  volume = {17},
  numero = {8},
  pages = {3059--3075},
  ISSN = {1027-5606},
  year = {2013},
  DOI = {10.5194/hess-17-3059-2013},
  URL = {https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010060629},
}