Bathymetric Surveying at Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge
The Trempealeau National Wildlife refuge (NWR) is a refuge for breeding and migratory birds. In order to better understand habitat availability and manipulate water levels, a baseline knowledge of bathymetry of the area is needed. Currently, there is no bathymetric surveys for this area specifically and there are very few shallow water surveys especially for highly vegetated wetlands. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) partnered to conduct shallow-water bathymetry and terrestrial lidar surveys of the Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge. With this data, the USFWS will be better informed as to the different habitat availability within the refuge’s wetland.
The proposed survey area is approximately 3,170 hectares, separated into pools A & B. This area has very thick vegetation and fluctuating water depth. This survey will be performed predominantly in areas <1 meter deep.
Methods for this project plan to use a combination of multibeam, single-beam, and lidar surveys. The methods used will depend on the actual depths of the pools. Multibeam surveys with simultaneous lidar collection are limited to areas of depth greater than 1.5 meters. Hypothetically, UMESC plans to survey the perimeter of the wetland with multibeam and lidar to collect data on structural information of the levee and water control structures. Terrestrial elevation spot-checks will be conducted using a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) receiver. All data collection activities will be coordinated with Trempealeau NWR staff to ensure minimal disturbance to wildlife and habitat.
This is an ongoing project. The scientists plan to help FWS create standard operating procedures (SOP) for future shallow wetland surveys. Project derivatives include bathymetric and topographic Digital Elevation Models (DEM), stage-volume tables, and a USGS report. The DEMs and stage-volume tables can be used for water level management and future monitoring of the refuge.
The Trempealeau National Wildlife refuge (NWR) is a refuge for breeding and migratory birds. In order to better understand habitat availability and manipulate water levels, a baseline knowledge of bathymetry of the area is needed. Currently, there is no bathymetric surveys for this area specifically and there are very few shallow water surveys especially for highly vegetated wetlands. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) partnered to conduct shallow-water bathymetry and terrestrial lidar surveys of the Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge. With this data, the USFWS will be better informed as to the different habitat availability within the refuge’s wetland.
The proposed survey area is approximately 3,170 hectares, separated into pools A & B. This area has very thick vegetation and fluctuating water depth. This survey will be performed predominantly in areas <1 meter deep.
Methods for this project plan to use a combination of multibeam, single-beam, and lidar surveys. The methods used will depend on the actual depths of the pools. Multibeam surveys with simultaneous lidar collection are limited to areas of depth greater than 1.5 meters. Hypothetically, UMESC plans to survey the perimeter of the wetland with multibeam and lidar to collect data on structural information of the levee and water control structures. Terrestrial elevation spot-checks will be conducted using a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) receiver. All data collection activities will be coordinated with Trempealeau NWR staff to ensure minimal disturbance to wildlife and habitat.
This is an ongoing project. The scientists plan to help FWS create standard operating procedures (SOP) for future shallow wetland surveys. Project derivatives include bathymetric and topographic Digital Elevation Models (DEM), stage-volume tables, and a USGS report. The DEMs and stage-volume tables can be used for water level management and future monitoring of the refuge.