Underwater photogrammetry products of Big Pine Ledge, Florida from images acquired using the SQUID-5 system in July 2021

Underwater images were collected using a towed-surface vehicle with multiple downward-looking underwater cameras developed by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). The system is named the Structure-from-Motion (SfM) Quantitative Underwater Imaging Device with Five Cameras (SQUID-5). The raw images and associated navigation data were collected at Big Pine Ledge, a coral reef located within the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary approximately eleven kilometers south of Big Pine Key, Florida. SQUID-5 was towed through the survey area using the USGS R/V Sallenger during the data collection from July 16-20, 2021. The images and position data acquired by the SQUID-5 system were then processed using SfM photogrammetry techniques to generate the point cloud, digital elevation model, and full-color orthomosaic data products presented here. The goal of this work was to generate very high (millimeter scale) resolution maps and a precisely co-registered, full color, orthomosaic image of the seabed at Big Pine Ledge with accurate geospatial location to support ongoing USGS research, including seafloor elevation change and stability modeling, and small-scale hydrodynamic flow modeling at millimeter scales over short time frames (event-driven and storms). These data will also enable other researchers and stakeholders to co-register and validate their imagery and ecological data in the area.

The raw images and navigation data used to create these products are available on the RSCC Simple Data Service at https://cmgds.marine.usgs.gov/data-services/rscc/SQUID/FL_2021_BigPineL….