Satellite radar interferometry (InSAR) has become an invaluable tool for monitoring dams and reservoirs. Using radar signals from satellites to detect ground movements with millimetre precision, InSAR compares the differences between images taken at different times. This technique enables large-scale, continuous monitoring, which is critical for identifying potential structural problems and preventing catastrophic failures.
Unlike traditional geotechnical and geodetic monitoring, which require extensive equipment and manual data collection, InSAR provides a non-intrusive, efficient solution that covers vast areas with high temporal frequency. It has been described as being ‘the bleeding edge of space-based remote sensing technology’.
Ground motion
The Earth’s surface is in constant motion and in recent years, with an increasing awareness of the potential risks related to ground motion, has led to a demand for comprehensive and reliable information on these movements. This is why the European Ground Motion Service (EGMS) was created in response to user needs voiced at the Copernicus User Forum.
EGMS provides standardised ground motion data across Europe, derived from Sentinel-1 satellite radar data. EGMS data are freely accessible through an online viewer allowing use by dam managers, researchers, and other professionals interested in monitoring ground stability. This accessibility promotes broader technology adoption and encourages more extensive research in geotechnics and infrastructure management.
The product is updated annually and can be used for a variety of applications. City, regional, or state authorities can use it to monitor the structural integrities of dams, bridges, railways, and buildings. It allows urban planners to make data-driven decisions about where to build new infrastructure by assessing the likelihood of natural hazards such as landslides or subsidence. Researchers can also use EGMS data to study the impacts of climate change, such as thawing permafrost and coastal subsidence.
Among the main advantages of the EGMS for dam monitoring are its continental-scale coverage, high temporal data frequency, and standardised analysis processes. This enables the consistent and accurate comparison of data from different areas and time periods, which is essential for identifying deformation patterns and managing risks proactively.
Combining different tools and data sources to achieve a more comprehensive and detailed analysis can help maximise accuracy and the ability to detect structural deformations in critical infrastructures. Integrating InSAR data with other sources, such as geotechnical measurements, visual inspections, and topographic surveys, has proven essential for a more comprehensive and accurate assessment of dam stability. Tools like InSAR can also play a crucial role in adapting to and managing hydraulic infrastructure under the global challenge of climate change.
Spanish dams
The SIAGUA project in Spain has demonstrated how advanced technology integration can transform hydraulic infrastructure monitoring. It has utilised EGMS to monitor dams and surrounding areas, providing surveillance information to dam managers. Facilities that have been assessed include the La Vineula Dam, Siles Dam, Giribaile Dam, Arenoso Dam, and the Canales Dam.
References
Integrated monitoring of dams and large ponds: the role of satellite radar interferometry and the European ground motion service. Antonio Miguel Ruiz Armenteros, Miguel Marchamalo Sacristán, Francisco Lamas Fernández, Álvaro Hernández Cabezudo, Alfredo Fernández Landa, José Manuel Delgado Blasco, Matus Bakon, Milan Lazecky, Daniele Perissin, Juraj Papco, Gonzalo Corral, José Luis García Balboa, José Luis Mesa Mingorance, Admilson da Penha Pacheco, Juan Manuel Jurado Rodríguez, Joaquim J. Sousa. Applied Geomatics (2025) 17:379–392 https://doi.org/10.1007/s12518-025-00624-8
https://land.copernicus.eu/en/products/european-ground-motion-service
