This project will develop an advanced satellite-based system to monitor how water quality changes during extreme weather events, such as floods, droughts, and marine heatwaves, across U.S. Coastal and…

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration awarded a cooperative agreement to the University of Maryland, College Park for $364,000 on August 1, 2026, under the Cooperative Institute (Inter-Agency Funded Activities) program (CFDA 11.405).

The project develops an advanced satellite-based system to monitor water quality changes during extreme weather events—floods, droughts, and marine heatwaves—across U.S. coastal and inland waters. The work integrates data from Landsat-8/9, Sentinel-2, NOAA satellites, and the hyperspectral PACE mission to produce high-resolution maps of key water quality indicators including algal blooms, sediment plumes, and water clarity. Research focuses on regions such as the Chesapeake Bay, Gulf of Maine, and Lake Erie. The project develops improved algorithms, integrates multiple satellite datasets, and analyzes ecosystem responses to extreme events, delivering near-real-time information to stakeholders and managers. Deliverables support early warning of harmful algal blooms, sustainable aquaculture and fisheries, water quality management, and community resilience to extreme weather.

The period of performance runs from August 1, 2026 through July 31, 2027. Work is performed at the University of Maryland, College Park (College Park, Maryland), which operates through its Office of Research Administration & Advancement as the recipient.

This project will develop an advanced satellite-based system to monitor how water quality changes during extreme weather events, such as floods, droughts, and marine heatwaves, across U.S. Coastal and inland waters. By combining data from multiple earth-observing satellites, including landsat-8/9, sentinel-2, NOAA satellites, and the new hyperspectral pace mission, the project will produce high-resolution maps of key water quality indicators, such as algal blooms, sediment plumes, and water clarity. The research will focus on regions such as the chesapeake BAY, gulf of maine, and lake erie, where extreme events frequently affect ecosystems, fisheries, and water resources. This work will develop improved algorithms, integrate multiple satellite datasets, and analyze how ecosystems respond to these events. The project will provide near-real-time information to stakeholders and managers. This work will benefit the public by improving early warning of harmful algal blooms, supporting safe and sustainable aquaculture and fisheries, enhancing water quality management, and strengthening the resilience of coastal and inland communities to extreme weather events. Societal impact statement: this work will benefit the public by improving early warning of harmful algal blooms, supporting safe and sustainable aquaculture and fisheries, enhancing water quality management, and strengthening the resilience of coastal and inland communities to extreme weather events.