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Hydrographic surveys of rivers and lakes using a multibeam echosounder mapping system

June 12, 2018

A multibeam echosounder is a type of sound navigation and ranging device that uses sound waves to “see” through even murky waters. Unlike a single beam echosounder (also known as a depth sounder or fathometer) that releases a single sound pulse in a single, narrow beam and “listens” for the return echo, a multibeam system emits a multidirectional radial beam to obtain information within a fan-shaped swath. The timing and direction of the returning sound waves provide detailed information on the depth of water and the shape of the river channel, lake bottom, or any underwater features of interest. This information has been used by the U.S. Geological Survey to efficiently generate high-resolution maps of river and lake bottoms.

Publication Year 2018
Title Hydrographic surveys of rivers and lakes using a multibeam echosounder mapping system
DOI 10.3133/fs20183021
Authors Richard J. Huizinga, David C. Heimann
Publication Type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Series Title Fact Sheet
Series Number 2018-3021
Index ID fs20183021
Record Source USGS Publications Warehouse
USGS Organization Missouri Water Science Center
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