Murcia to use satellite technology to monitor irrigation reservoirs

The Regional Government of Murcia is launching a pioneering project to enhance the security of irrigation reservoirs using satellite radar technology. By utilizing Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) techniques and data from the European Sentinel-1 satellites within the Copernicus program, authorities aim to detect millimeter-scale movements and structural deformations in the terrain and hydraulic infrastructure.

This continuous monitoring approach is designed to complement traditional inspection methods, moving toward a preventive maintenance model. The initiative will first focus on 15 representative reservoirs located in the municipalities of Águilas and Totana. Additionally, a specialized technical study will be conducted at the Sangonera reservoir to model the ability of satellite data to identify early signals of structural instability.

The implementation is expected to optimize water resource management, reduce emergency repair costs, and improve the overall efficiency and reliability of irrigation systems for local farmers.