This paper presents an application of the TOPEX/Poseidon (T/P) satellite altimetry data to estimate river discharge at three sites along the Amazon River. We discuss the methodology to establish empirical relationships between satellite-derived water levels and daily estimations of river discharges based on rating curves and in situ level measurements at gauging stations. Three sites are chosen: Manacapuru (River Solimões), Jatuarana (nearby the confluence of the Solimões and Rio Negro rivers) and Óbidos (Amazon River). We then reconstruct the satellite-based river discharge over a 10-year time span (1992–2002). Comparison between satellite-derived and river discharge at the gauging stations shows that the T/P data can successfully be used for hydrological studies of large rivers, in providing in particular discharge estimates when in situ data are not available. To cite this article: E.A. Zakharova et al., C. R. Geoscience 338 (2006).