With SWOT water level measurements will be absolutely new, and different from those of the now
classical space missions as JASONs .

• Very high resolution models will allow identification of physical process observable with SWOT, taking into account the orbit design.
• Measurement errors impacts (interferometric phase error, roll errors, atmospheric correction errors …) concerning water level signal restitution has to be evaluate.
• High resolution data assimilation in present oceanographic models has to be studied.

Expected observation quality has to be evaluated :

• Determining minimal observable size for rivers and lakes
• Characterizing errors due to time sampling
• Characterizing errors for derivates products : flows and water stocks variability (order of magnitude and causes)

We also have to evaluate SWOT mission contribution to Hydrology modelizing an equatorial river , Amazon,  a temperate river, an artic river, Ob (see Biancamaria_SM_Ob.pdf)