--- title: Riverbed conservation in Catalonia | Earthpulse description: The Usable Earth Analytics | Monitor your geodistributed assets in near-real time to manage risk, uncover opportunities, and drive results with confidence. Effortlessly. image: https://www.earthpulse.ai/hubfs/Case%20study%20-%20Riverbed%20Catalonia/riverbed.webp --- [Skip to content](https://www.earthpulse.ai/resources/riverbed-conservation-in-catalonia#main-content) Toggle navigation [Earthpulse](https://www.earthpulse.ai/) [search](https://www.earthpulse.ai/hs-search-results) - [Solutions](https://www.earthpulse.ai/solutions) - [Strategic](https://www.earthpulse.ai/solutions/strategic-intelligence) - [Operational](https://www.earthpulse.ai/solutions/operation-intelligence) - [Compliance](https://www.earthpulse.ai/solutions/compliance-through-satellite) - [Pulses](https://www.earthpulse.ai/solutions/pulses) - [Solutions Catalogue](https://www.earthpulse.ai/solutions-catalogue) - Products - [SPAI](https://www.earthpulse.ai/products/spai) - [Earthpulse! Labs](https://www.earthpulse.ai/earthpulse-labs) - [Sectors & Industries](https://www.earthpulse.ai/sectors-industries) - CUSTOMER STORIES - [Case Studies](https://www.earthpulse.ai/resources/tag/case-study) - Want to see how it works? - [arrow\_right\_alt Book a demo arrow\_right\_alt](https://www.earthpulse.ai/demo) - COMPANY - [About](https://www.earthpulse.ai/about-us) - [News](https://www.earthpulse.ai/resources/all) - [Contact](https://www.earthpulse.ai/contact-us) - [Insights](https://www.earthpulse.ai/resources/tag/insight) - Follow us - [Visit us on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/earthpulse-sl/) [Case study](https://www.earthpulse.ai/resources/tag/case-study) 25 Jul 2022 • 1 min read # Riverbed conservation in Catalonia [![](https://www.earthpulse.ai/hubfs/favicon-1.ico?noresize) EarthPulse Team](https://www.earthpulse.ai/resources/author/earthpulse-team) ![Riverbed conservation in Catalonia](https://www.earthpulse.ai/hubfs/Case%20study%20-%20Riverbed%20Catalonia/riverbed.webp?noresize) ### In this post ##### Rivers contain natural hotspots — sections where overflow is more likely during intense rainfall. When these areas sit near urban zones, farmland, or critical infrastructure, poor riverbed maintenance becomes both a social and economic risk. Effective riverbed management focuses on maintaining water flow capacity and reducing flood risk before extreme weather events occur. Vegetation growth within the stable river channel can obstruct water circulation, increasing the likelihood and severity of flooding. With this study, we aimed at addressing the following key questions: - Where should maintenance be prioritised? - How has vegetation evolved compared to last year? - If the river overflows, where would impact be greatest? ![riverbed\_example](https://www.earthpulse.ai/hs-fs/hubfs/Case%20study%20-%20Riverbed%20Catalonia/riverbed_example.webp?width=682&height=511&name=riverbed_example.webp) By monitoring riverbeds throughout the year, authorities can prioritise interventions, optimise resources, and protect the most vulnerable areas before damage occurs. ##### **![riverbed\_increase](https://www.earthpulse.ai/hs-fs/hubfs/Case%20study%20-%20Riverbed%20Catalonia/riverbed_increase.webp?width=666&height=375&name=riverbed_increase.webp)** ##### **Riverbed Vegetation Mapping** Our segmentation algorithms detect vegetation encroachment within the stable river channel. Using both medium-resolution and high-resolution satellite imagery, we identify hotspots where vegetation growth may restrict flow capacity. Medium-resolution data enables broad hotspot detection across large areas. High-resolution imagery refines the analysis, allowing precise segmentation of vegetation within the riverbed. ![mr\_eo\_image](https://www.earthpulse.ai/hs-fs/hubfs/Case%20study%20-%20Riverbed%20Catalonia/mr_eo_image.webp?width=234&height=193&name=mr_eo_image.webp) ![water\_vegetation\_disc](https://www.earthpulse.ai/hs-fs/hubfs/Case%20study%20-%20Riverbed%20Catalonia/water_vegetation_disc.webp?width=235&height=194&name=water_vegetation_disc.webp) *MR EO imageWater / Vegetation discrimination* Identification of vulnerable areas within the riverbed by using HR data ![hr\_eo\_image](https://www.earthpulse.ai/hs-fs/hubfs/Case%20study%20-%20Riverbed%20Catalonia/hr_eo_image.webp?width=233&height=193&name=hr_eo_image.webp) ![riverbed\_segmentation](https://www.earthpulse.ai/hs-fs/hubfs/Case%20study%20-%20Riverbed%20Catalonia/riverbed_segmentation.webp?width=236&height=195&name=riverbed_segmentation.webp) *HR EO image / Riverbed vegetation Segmentation* ##### **Surrounding Asset Mapping** After identifying critical river sections, we analyse surrounding assets — including roads, agricultural areas, and infrastructure — to assess potential exposure and impact in the event of overflow. This combined analysis links environmental condition to operational risk. ![map\_labeled](https://www.earthpulse.ai/hs-fs/hubfs/Case%20study%20-%20Riverbed%20Catalonia/map_labeled.webp?width=602&height=328&name=map_labeled.webp) ![asset\_mapping](https://www.earthpulse.ai/hubfs/Case%20study%20-%20Riverbed%20Catalonia/asset_mapping.svg) ##### **Key Figures** Smart inspection We schedule inspections based on detected vulnerabilities and year-on-year condition changes, focusing resources where they are most needed. Cost-saving up to 50% Targeted inspections reduce maintenance-related costs by 30–50% compared to routine blanket approaches. ## Share: - [Share on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=https://www.earthpulse.ai/resources/riverbed-conservation-in-catalonia) - [Share on X](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=https://www.earthpulse.ai/resources/riverbed-conservation-in-catalonia) - [Share on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/sharing/share-offsite/?url=https://www.earthpulse.ai/resources/riverbed-conservation-in-catalonia) ## Related Articles [View All](https://www.earthpulse.ai/resources) ## [![A new evidence-based system to strengthen drought resilience in the Horn of Africa](https://www.earthpulse.ai/hubfs/The_Horn_of_Africa.jpg?noresize) News 27 May 2026 A new evidence-based system to strengthen drought resilience in the Horn of Africa Earthpulse Team](https://www.earthpulse.ai/resources/a-new-evidence-based-system-to-strengthen-drought-resilience-in-the-horn-of-africa) ## [![From space to preparedness](https://www.earthpulse.ai/hubfs/Screenshot%202026-02-20%20at%2016.44.39.png?noresize) Case study 26 Jan 2026 From space to preparedness ![false](https://www.earthpulse.ai/hubfs/favicon-1.ico?noresize) EarthPulse Team](https://www.earthpulse.ai/resources/from-space-to-preparedness) ## [![Case study: Geo-localising road risk at a scale](https://www.earthpulse.ai/hubfs/AI%20Processing%20(1000%20x%20600%20px)%20(2).png?noresize) Case study 23 Nov 2025 Case study: Geo-localising road risk at a scale Earthpulse Team](https://www.earthpulse.ai/resources/case-study-geo-localising-road-risk-at-a-scale) [Home Earthpulse](https://www.earthpulse.ai/) - [Visit us on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/earthpulse-sl/) San Juan de la Salle 42, 315 Edificio Sant Gervasi SG.2.08 08022, Barcelona [info@earthpulse.ai](mailto:info@earthpulse.ai) [For media enquiries media@earthpulse.ai](mailto:media@earthpulse.ai) [+34 628 772 669](tel:+34628772669) - Solutions - [Strategic Intelligence](https://www.earthpulse.ai/solutions/strategic-intelligence) - [Operational Intelligence](https://www.earthpulse.ai/solutions/operation-intelligence) - [Compliance](https://www.earthpulse.ai/solutions/compliance-through-satellite) - [Pulses - Custom Solutions](https://www.earthpulse.ai/solutions/pulses) - [Solutions Catalogue](https://www.earthpulse.ai/solutions-catalogue) - [See all solutions](https://www.earthpulse.ai/solutions) - Products - [SPAI](https://www.earthpulse.ai/products/spai) - [Earthpulse! 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