Thermal Infrared Remote Sensing of Water Temperature Fluctuations Using an Unmanned Aerial System

Research will be conducted using a combination of UAS, Thermal Infrared Remote sensing data, and True Color imagery to detect and quantify surface water temperature data. The study may also reveal water body inlet and outlet point source temperature fluctuations. The target area will include a large pond and two smaller water bodies inside the Cedar River Natural Resource area near the Cedar River in Blackhawk County, IA. The goal of this research is to understand the theoretical basis of Thermal Infrared Radiation imagery carried out on the surface water of each pond. Another goal is to collect NIR data imagery to investigate the possibility of the flooded areas around the pond