Hydrographic Surveying

Shipping lanes on the nation's waterways and coastlines are continually shifting as silt moves and accumulates in different locations. Hydrographic surveyors create maps of the bottom of rivers, lakes, and oceans using tools as simple as weights attached to lines or as sophisticated as GPS observations combined with sonar soundings. No matter the method used, the resulting maps used as aids in maritime navigation, scientific research, sports, and mineral exploration. Additionally hydrographic surveys are sometimes called in after disasters at sea to locate wreckage.

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LEARN MORE ABOUT HYDROGRAPHIC SURVEYING
On-line access is required to follow the remaining links

bullet Hydrography and Hydrographic Surveys
bullet National Survey Plan
bullet Nautical Charts
bullet NOAA Ship RUDE
bullet Office of the Coast Survey
bullet Papers on Hydrographic Surveying
bullet Wrecks and Obstructions

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sonar image of the USS Monitor on the ocean floor.