Time Series Monitoring of Urban Lake Health Using Sentinel-2 Satellite Imagery: A Case Study from Bengaluru City, India

Lakes play a vital role in India by providing freshwater for drinking, irrigation, and supporting biodiversity. However, rapid urbanization, industrial waste disposal, and climate change have significantly impacted water quality and vegetation health in urban lakes. This study uses Sentinel-2 satellite imagery to monitor the health of Yele Mallappa Shetty Lake in Bengaluru, India, assessing the effects of industrial pollution and urban expansion. The use of the Copernicus Browser allowed analysis of water quality based on reflectance in Band 2, while vegetation indices were derived from Band 8. A comparison between pre-COVID and post-COVID times showed seasonal variation as well as impacts of industry on water and vegetation health. It shows major pollution-induced degradation and calls for satellite-based long-term monitoring with lake management sustainability strategies. Graphical trends are used to identify pollution patterns and support informed decision-making to mitigate ecological degradation and restore water quality in urban lakes.