SWOT- Earth Science Satellite Will Help Communities Plan for a Better Future

Examining the world's salt and freshwater bodies, a new Earth science mission led by NASA and the French space agency Centre National etudes Spatialize (CNES) will assist communities in making better plans. Lake, river, reservoir, and ocean water levels will be measured as part of the Surface Water and Ocean Topography (SWOT) effort.

As the water cycle quickens due to climate change, many towns may experience water shortages while others experience water inundation. The U.S. Department of Defense, disaster preparedness organizations, colleges, water management organizations, civil engineers, and others who need to track water in their local locations will all benefit from the information that SWOT data will provide to improve flood forecasts and monitor drought conditions.