Radiometric correction of RADARSAT-1 images for mapping the snow water equivalent (SWE) in a mountainous environment

When trying to monitor the snow characteristics from RADARSAT-1 SAR data in a mountainous environment like the Coast Mountains (B.C. Canada), radiometric corrections must first be applied to correct for the distortions induced by the slant projection of SAR systems and by the highly variable terrain. This paper presents and discusses the results obtained from the implementation of two radiometric slope correction methods on Fine beam RADARSAT-1 images. For slope less than 30°, both algorithms have almost the same effect. But, for very steep slopes, both algorithms are deficient and may not compensate enough.