The importance of Remote Sensing (RS) in various scientific and practical studies, including hydrology, is increasing today. New Global Digital Elevation Models (DEM), based on satellite imagery, serve as the main resources in hydrological research due to their openness or low cost, increasing accuracy and improved spatial resolution. The main aims of this work are study the capabilities of Global DEMs based on AW3D30, ASTER GDEM V003 and SRTMGML1 with 30 m spatial resolution in modeling basins of rivers and Issyk-Kul Lake in Kyrgyzstan and their comparative analysis. Topographic maps of the study area were used as sources of verification data when analyzing their spatial accuracy. The influence of the reference point heights above sea level on the accuracy and reliability of the models in high mountainous conditions was also studied. UTM, SK-42, Kyrg-06 and the Albers Equal-Area Conic coordinate systems were used in calculations of the lake basin area. The results of the study showed that the AW3D30 DEM has higher accuracy compared to other models and can be successfully used in modeling river basins in mountainous areas. The catchment areas of the Dzhergalan and Tyup rivers were modeled and calculated based on AW3D30, ASTER GDEM V003 and SRTMGML1 DEMs. The research results on boundaries and areas of the river basins in the lake depression indicate the need for further refinement based on modern remote sensing data, taking into account the differences in the geoid/quasigeoid models used and the reference point heights determined using satellite-based positioning and leveling methods.
Wetland mapping in the Balqash Lake Basin Using Multi-source Remote Sensing Data and Topographic features Synergic Retrieval