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Distribution Of The Oder Flood In The Pomeranian Bight 
Derived From Satellite Images 
H. Siegel & M. Gerth 
Institut fur Ostseeforschung 
Seestrasse 15 
18119 Rostock-Wamemunde 
Abstract 
The distribution pattern of the river discharge during the largest flood of the Oder river in this 
century was investigated by satellite data of Sea Surface Temperature (SST) und ocean colour 
in relation to discharge rates and meteorological conditions. During the shipbome measure 
ments the SST-maps were prepared quasi-real-time to inform the vessel about the distribution 
pattern. The period of the Oder flood from second decade of July until end of August is cov 
ered by about 80 cloudless scenes except 5 days. Therefore the NOAA - data allowed to 
monitor the whole flooding period. 
The meteorological conditions were characterised by three main phases with short interrup 
tions. At the beginning easterly winds transported the river water along the Usedom coast. End 
of July during westerly winds a transport band along the Polish coast established. In August a 
long period of easterly winds with low wind speeds followed. The river water propagated 
again along the Usedom and Ruegen coast into the Arkona Sea. In the second decade in 
August the south component of the wind increase which produced an upwelling at the Usedom 
coast. This upwelling separated the main outflow of the Swine river and the discharge of the 
Peenestrom. 
The mixed river discharge covered the southern part of the Arkona Sea. The expansion into 
the western Baltic was limited by the upwelling off Hiddensee. 
Using data of the visible spectral range the distribution pattern of suspended matter was inves 
tigated, but only at selected day depending on the availability of data and cloudfree condition 
at day time. 
During the continuos outflow of the flood water the variation in the discharge rates led to 
patchy distribution patterns in the Pomeranian Bight. 
In August the stable wind situation led to similar influenced areas in the bight during the whole 
period (compare August 1994), which only changed at the beginning of September.