Feasibility Study of the Use of Radar to Detect Surface and Ground Water

Feasibility Study of the Use of Radar to Detect Surface and Ground Water Davis, Billy R.; Lundien, Jerry R.; Williamson, Albert N.; Mobility and Environmental Systems Laboratory (U.S.) A study was made of the feasibility of using radar sensors as a remote means of detecting the presence and measuring the depth of surface water, and detecting the presence and measuring the depth to ground water. Also, previously begun studies were continued to relate radar returns, and the electrical soil constants they provided, to soil moisture content. Large laboratory soil samples were prepared at various moisture contents and with various depths of surface water and various depths to ground water. Standard pulsed radar sensors operating with frequencies of 297, 5870, and 9375 megacycles per sec through various angles of incidence were employed. Results indicate that the standard pulsed radar sensors can provide information to permit detection of surface water and an estimate of the moisture content of deep homogeneous soil samples. However, such sensors do not permit prediction of depth of surface water, presence of ground water, or depth to ground water. Systematic variation of surface-water depths and depths to ground water permitted an analytical solution for measuring surface- or ground-water depths, and led to the conclusion that properly designed radar systems could measure surface- and ground-water depths. Three such systems are proposed. Technical Report