RIVERWISE – AI-based change detection of riverbanks, riparian structures, and surrounding water environments in Saxony for the Water Framework Directive monitoring
Project Objective
Rivers are dynamic ecosystems whose morphology and surrounding landscapes strongly influence water quality, habitat diversity, and ecological function. Effective river management therefore requires continuous monitoring of riverbanks, riparian structures, and adjacent land zones. In the Free State of Saxony, long-term environmental monitoring and water management must also comply with the requirements of the EU Water Framework Directive. The RIVERWISE project, funded by the Saxon State Office for Environment, Agriculture and Geology (LfULG), addresses this need by leveraging advances in geospatial data and artificial intelligence. RIVERWISE aims to develop an AI-based system to detect and analyze changes in riverbanks, riparian zones, and surrounding land zones across Saxony. The project uses historical high-resolution aerial imagery to capture changes over time. These data are analyzed using state-of-the-art deep learning-based change detection models. By combining multi-temporal geospatial datasets with automated analysis, RIVERWISE enables systematic, large-scale monitoring of river morphology and environmental change. By providing objective, spatially comprehensive information on morphological changes, RIVERWISE supports the evaluation of restoration measures, informed river development planning, and early identification of anthropogenic impacts. The project contributes to protecting rivers as vital natural systems, supports biodiversity conservation, and promotes sustainable water management in Saxony, while helping authorities meet regulatory obligations under the EU Water Framework Directive.
Project team
Junior Professor Anette Eltner
Funding
Saxon State Office for Environment, Agriculture and Geology (LfULG)