Analysis of meandering effects using digital elevation model integrated with remotely sensed data

In this study, the meandering effects in the Filyos River Watershed that is located in the Western Black Sea region of Turkey is investigated by using the digital elevation model and remotely sensed data. The watershed has a surface area of 13 300 km ² and there exists no human structures along the River till it reaches the Black Sea. So far, a similar study utilizing satellite images with high resolution like SPOT and/or IKONOS have not been conducted in the region. Due to flatness of the region, sediments are accumulated along the river and caused the enlargement of the river bed. This site-specific occurrence negatively impacts the residential areas and agricultural activities of significant economic value. Within the context of this study, the sediment accumulation areas are initially determined by classifying SPOT data of year 2007. Besides, IKONOS data are overlaid with the digital elevation model to obtain cross-sections of the river. The study indicates that meandering effects of sediment transportation and accumulation along the riverbanks can be identified by using tools like remote sensing technology.