Generation of topographic maps of wadden areas in the Heligoland Bight using ERS-SAR images

A method to extract waterlines from ERS-SAR images has been developed combining a scale adaptive edge detection algorithm adjusted for waterline detection and an image segmentation technique using texture information. Waterlines derived at different tidal height levels serve as a random grid of surface levels of wadden areas between low and high tide for the calculation of topographic maps. The height levels of each waterline are provided by a water level model of the German Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency.