Airborne hyperspectral remote sensing to assess spatial distribution of water quality characteristics in large rivers: The Mississippi River and its tributaries in Minnesota

► Hyperspectral remote sensing of river water with complex inherent optical properties. ► Identified the spectral characteristics of waters dominated by different IOPs. ► Identified and mapped inorganic suspended sediment independently of chlorophyll level. ► Airborne remote sensing to map water quality characteristics of major rivers.