BATHYMETRIC SURVEYING

Ever wonder what the bottom of a lake looks like? A bathymetric survey is one way to find out! Bathymetry is the study of the underwater depth of ocean or lake floors; the underwater equivalent to a topographic survey. It involves the use of specialized equipment, such as sonar or LiDAR, to measure the time it takes for sound waves or light pulses to reflect off the seafloor and return to the surveying equipment. By analyzing these measurements, bathymetric surveyors can create detailed 3D maps of the seafloor and identify features such as underwater canyons, ridges, and mountains.

Utilizing GPS and sonar, our field crew mapped the bed of Maria Reservoir to compare the volume of silt that has accumulated since the original design.