Monitoring surface water changes using Landsat imagery and NDWI index in fragile areas of Anbar Governorate

Abstract

The research aims to monitor changes in the surface area of ​​lakes located within the administrative boundaries of the districts of (Ramadi, Fallujah, Habbaniyah, Ameriyah and Karmah) based on Landsat 5 and 8 satellite imagery, for the period (1990-2025). The Normalized Difference Water Index (NDWI) proved highly effective in monitoring and analyzing temporal and spatial changes in water bodies, thanks to its high spectral discrimination between water and other surface features. The results for 1990 showed a relative expansion in the water surface area, reaching 1379.30 km² out of a total study area of ​​12949.49 km², while the area for other features constituted 11570.19 km². In 2025, the area of ​​watersheds in the study region experienced a sharp decline of 497.01 km², while the area of ​​other features expanded to 12,452.48 km². This indicates a serious environmental shift and a disruption of the hydrological balance. This deterioration is attributed to the interplay of climatic and human factors, primarily decreased rainfall and rising temperatures, along with pressures resulting from population growth and activities, and the construction of large dams in upstream areas. Therefore, the results confirm that the region is experiencing an advanced stage of environmental degradation, necessitating the adoption of sustainable water resource management strategies such as expanding rainwater harvesting, implementing modern irrigation methods, and rationalizing water consumption to mitigate the continued decline of water bodies in the future.