Depth and Bathymetric Mapping
Accurate depth contours, area and volume for lakes and reservoirs, measured with sonar and GPS.
Bathymetric survey
Survey-grade bathymetric mapping
Our survey boat runs tight lines across the water with GPS-linked sonar, logging thousands of depth readings. They are processed in BioBase into a contour map of the whole lake or reservoir: deep holes, shallow shelves, drop-offs and old channels.
The same pass also records plant growth and bottom hardness.
What you get
Survey deliverables
Depth contour map
Contour lines over an aerial photo, with maximum and average depth.
Area and volume
Surface area and water volume at every depth, in acres and acre-feet.
Survey data
Depth points and contours as GIS files for engineers and agencies.
Change over time
Repeat surveys show where sediment is filling in and what dredging removed.
Why it matters
What depth maps are used for
- Dosing treatments by true water volume
- Sizing and placing aeration diffusers
- Planning dredging and measuring what was removed
- Tracking storage in irrigation reservoirs
- Finding drop-offs, holes and fish habitat
- Planning docks, swim areas and boat access
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Schedule a bathymetric survey
Tell us about your lake or reservoir and we will scope the survey.