Water color is affected by substances that change the water radiance detected by satellite sensors. Thus, remote sensing techniques may be used as a complementary data source to monitor water quality in large reservoirs (Novo et al., 1994). Within the context of a research project, whose main purpose is to develop techniques to evaluate macrophyte infestation levels in AES Tietê reservoirs, multi spectral satellite images were used to: a) map microphyte spatial dispersion and evaluate their area of occurrence , in two periods and, b) locate points to collect water samples. This paper presents the methodology adopted and the results obtained from Barra Bonita, Bariri, Ibitinga, Promissão and Nova Avanhandava reservoir analyses, concerning their size, water body spectral variability and macrophyte infestation area during two periods (wet and dry seasons).
remote sensing; water spectral response; mapping of macrophyte dispersion
