Hydrographic Surveys of Rivers and Lakes Using a

Multibeam Echosounder Mapping System

Using Sound Waves to Map River and Lake Bottoms The Multibeam Echosounder Mapping System
A multibeam echosounder mapping system (MBMS) is
A multibeam echosounder (MBES) is a type of sound
an integration of several individual components: the MBES,
navigation and ranging device that uses sound waves to “see”
an inertial navigation system (INS), and a data-collection and
through even murky waters (fig. 1: Note that all figures used
data-processing computer. The MBES that was used for numer-
in this report are for an illustrative rather than an interpretive
ous surveys completed by the USGS in Missouri is the Teledyne
purpose, not all geographic locations will be shown). Unlike
RESON SeaBat® 7125–SV2 (fig. 3), which is operated at a
a single beam echosounder (also known as a depth sounder
frequency of 200 or 400 kilohertz.
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 informa-
tion within a fan-shaped swath Figure 1.  Schematic of a survey with a multibeam
(figs. 1, 2). The timing and echosounder mapping system on the Mississippi
direction of the returning sound River near the Jefferson Barracks Bridge on
waves provide detailed informa- Interstate 255 near St. Louis, Mo. Photograph by
tion on the depth of water and Richard Huizinga, U.S. Geological Survey.
the shape of the river channel,
lake bottom, or any underwater
features of interest. This infor-
mation has been used by the
U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Surveyed channel bed Multibeam
Survey boat with an
Inertial Navigation
to efficiently generate high- echosounder System (INS)
Fan-shaped
resolution maps of river and EXPLANATION radial swath
lake bottoms.
Shallow Deep
Water depth

U.S. Department of the Interior Fact Sheet 2018–3021

U.S. Geological Survey June 2018
 To accurately position and interpret the data received by
the MBES, the INS uses two Global Navigation Satellite System
antennae and an inertial motion unit to provide position in
three-dimensional space and measure the heave, pitch, roll, and
heading of the vessel (and, thereby, the MBES). A connection to
a source of real-time kinematic corrections often is established to
improve real-time display of a survey. Whether or not a source
of real-time kinematic corrections is used during a survey, data
from the INS typically are postprocessed to mitigate the effects
of degraded positional accuracy of the vessel during the survey.
After the survey is completed, the acquired data from the MBES
EXPLANATION
are processed to remove data spikes and other spurious points
Single beam data point
in the MBES soundings, georeferenced using the postprocessed
INS data, and visualized as a triangulated irregular network sur-
face or a point cloud (figs. 1, 2). The various components of the
MBES mapping system are described in detail in studies of the
Missouri and Mississippi Rivers in Missouri (Huizinga, 2016,
2017; Huizinga and others, 2010).

Applications of the Multibeam Echosounder Mapping

System
Channel-Bed Scour
Scour in river channels is the removal of channel-bed
and bank material by flowing water and is the leading cause
of bridge failures in the United States (Richardson and Davis,
2001). Scour at a bridge site is the result of short- and long-term
geomorphic processes and local effects caused by elements
of the structure (pier, footing) in or adjacent to the waterway
EXPLANATION (Richardson and Davis, 2001; Huizinga and Rydlund, 2004).
Shallow Deep Scour processes can be exacerbated during high-flow condi-
Water depth
tions because velocity and depth typically increase. Because the
effects of scour can be severe and dangerous, bridges and other
structures over waterways are inspected routinely. Multibeam
surveys around bridges can reveal the short- and long-term
Figure 2.  Example of single beam (top) and multibeam echosounder effects of bed scour near the bridge structures (figs. 4, 5).
(bottom) output (modified from Alvarado and Robinson, 2011).

A B
Figure 3.  The
Teledyne RESON
SeaBat® 7125–
SV2 multibeam
echosounder. A, As
viewed from the
bottom. B, Mounted
on the port side of
the U.S. Geological Piezo-
ceramic Piezoceramic
Survey survey boat. receiver projector array Stabilizer
Photograph by array struts
Richard Huizinga,
U.S. Geological
Survey. Any use Sound
of trade, product, velocity
probe
or firm names is (inside
shroud) Head tilt
for descriptive bracket
purposes only and
does not imply Transducer
endorsement by the head
U.S. Government.
 Flow

Drilled shaft
Undermined
seal course

EXPLANATION
Elevation of point, in feet
Figure 4.  Examples of three-dimensional representations of scour above the North American
around a bridge pier obtained using a multibeam mapping system. Vertical Datum of 1988
The top image is the Interstate 635 Bridge on the Missouri River at
Riverside, Mo., and the bottom image is the Interstate 435 Bridge on

67
68
68
69
70
70
71
71
72
6
2
8
4
0
6
2
8
4
the Missouri River at Randolph, Mo. (Huizinga 2016).

Channel-Bottom Characteristics
In rivers, the channel-bed features reflect dynamic
interactions between flowing water and the mobile sedi-
ment available on the bed. These interactions generate a
wide range in channel-bed characteristics depending on
the hydrologic and geologic context and provide a vari-
ety of aquatic habitat conditions for fish and inverte-
brates. Knowing when and where selected channel-bed
conditions are found, how these features are used by
aquatic species of interest, and how these features may
change with time are all valuable pieces of informa-
tion for fisheries managers. For example, channel-bed
features acquired using the MBMS, in conjunction with
velocity distribution data provided by an acoustic Dop-
pler current profiler (Mueller and others, 2013), were
used to assess pallid sturgeon habitat in the Missssippi
River near a proposed bridge construction site (fig. 6;
Huizinga and others, 2010).
Flow Multibeam echosounder surveys have been com-
pleted by the USGS at numerous bridge locations along
the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers to determine chan-
nel-bed characteristics. At all the surveyed locations, a
variety of fluvial features were detected in the channel,
ranging from a planar or nearly planar bed—indicat-
ing minimal bedload transport in these areas—to large
dunes that indicate substantial transport of bedload.
Rock outcrops also were detected at sev-
EXPLANATION eral sites where the alluvial material of
Elevation of point, in feet the channel bed had been washed away.
above the North American
Vertical Datum of 1988 Repeated surveys at these locations have
715 allowed for the quantification of bed
710 changes (deposition and scour) with time
705
700 and provide some indication of the bed
695
690 volume change and the relation between
685 streamflow changes and the associated
Echo from sides of 680
drilled shafts 675 channel-bed responses (fig. 7).
 94° 39
94° 39
94° 39
'10"
'05"
'00"
0"
39°9'2
Pier 3
FLOW
5"
39°9'1
Rock outcrop
94° 39
'15"
Pier 2
0" 0 50 100 150 200 250 FEET
39°9'1
0 25
Figure 5.  Planar view of mapped Missouri River channel reach
indicating substantial scour around a bridge pier and other channel
substrate features (Interstate 635 Bridge over the Missouri River at
Riverside, Mo.; Huizinga, 2016).
Estimation of Bedload Transport
Bedload, defined as “the sediment that slides, rolls, or skips
along in almost continuous contact with the streambed” (Hub-
bell, 1964, p. 2), currently (2018) is not measured consistently
in most rivers. Direct measurement of bedload in large sand-bed
rivers is highly inaccurate (Hubbell, 1964; Edwards and Glys-
son, 1999), and unconfirmed theoretical estimates commonly
are used (Gomez, 2006). Techniques using time-lagged MBMS
surveys (as demonstrated in figure 7), such as about an hour,
have been developed to estimate bedload transport based on
dune movement and the associated change in areas of scour and
fill (Abraham and others, 2011).
Lake Surveys and Volume Calculations
Sedimentation in lakes and reservoirs can result in reduced
capacity for flood storage and water supply and a loss of usable
aquatic habitat over time. A detailed bathymetric survey allows
for an accurate determination of available lake capacity for
various uses. The MBMS has been used to map and determine
accurate volume estimates for lakes in Missouri (fig. 8) and
surrounding States. Such information can be used to determine
water-supply availability, reservoir sedimentation rates and pro-
jected lifespans, and the spatial distribution of selected aquatic
habitat.
References Cited
Abraham, D.D., Kuhnle, R.A., and Odgaard, A.J., 2011, Validation of
bed-load transport measurements with time-sequenced bathymetric
data: Journal of Hydraulic Engineering, v. 137, no. 7, p. 723–728.
94° 38
94° 38
'55"
'50"
EXPLANATION
Channel-bed elevation,
in feet above North American
Vertical Datum of 1988
735
730
725
720
715
710
705
700
695
690
685
t
Stone revetmen
50 75 METERS
Alvarado, A., and Robinson, D., 2011, Hydro survey—Multi-beam vs.
single beam (part 1): Ayres Associates web page, accessed January,
2018, at http://ayresriverblog.com/2011/08/02/hydro-survey-multi-
beam-vs-single-beam-part-1/.
Edwards, T.K., and Glysson, G.D., 1999, Field methods for measure-
ment of fluvial sediment: U.S. Geological Survey Techniques of
Water-Resources Investigations, book 3, chap. C2, 89 p.
Gomez, B., 2006, The potential rate of bed-load transport: Proceed-
ings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of
America, v. 103, no. 46, p. 17170–17173. [Also available at https://
doi.org/10.1073%2Fpnas.0608487103.]
Hubbell, D.W., 1964, Apparatus and techniques for measuring bedload:
U.S. Geological Survey Water-Supply Paper 1748, 74 p., accessed
April 15, 2015, at https://pubs.er.usgs.gov/publication/wsp1748.
Huizinga, R.J., 2012, Bathymetric and velocimetric surveys at highway
bridges crossing the Missouri River in and into Missouri during sum-
mer flooding, July–August 2011: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific
Investigations Report 2012–5204, 166 p.
Huizinga, R.J., 2014, Bathymetric surveys and area/capacity tables of
water-supply reservoirs for the city of Cameron, Missouri, July 2013:
U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2014–1005, 15 p., https://
doi.org/10.3133/ofr20141005.
Huizinga, R.J., 2016, Bathymetric and velocimetric surveys at highway
bridges crossing the Missouri River near Kansas City, Missouri,
June 2–4, 2015: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations
Report 2016–5061, 93 p. [Also available at https://doi.org/10.3133/
sir20165061.]
Huizinga, R.J., 2017, Bathymetry and velocity data from surveys at
highway bridges crossing the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers near
St. Louis, Missouri, October 2008 through May 2016: U.S. Geo-
logical Survey data release, accessed January 2018 at https://doi.
org/10.5066/F71C1VCC.
Huizinga, R.J., Elliott, C.M., and Jacobson, R.B., 2010, Bathymetric
and velocimetric survey and assessment of habitat for pallid sturgeon
on the Mississippi River in the vicinity of the proposed Interstate
70 Bridge at St. Louis, Missouri: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific
Investigations Report 2010–5017, 28 p. [Also available at https://
pubs.usgs.gov/sir/2010/5017/.]
 90°10'55" 90°10'50" 90°10'45" 90°10'40" 90°10'35" 90°10'30"

EXPLANATION
Flow
38°39' Vertically averaged velocity,
in feet per second
6.5 to 7.0
6.0 to 6.5
5.5 to 6.0
5.0 to 5.5
4.5 to 5.0
4.0 to 4.5
3.5 to 4.0
3.0 to 3.5
2.5 to 3.0
2.0 to 2.5
1.5 to 2.0
1.0 to 1.5
38°38'55" 0.5 to 1.0
0.3 to 0.5
Channel-bed elevation, in feet
above North American Vertical
Datum of 1988
392
390
388
386
384
382
380
378
38°38'50" 376
374
372
370
368
366
364
sed
ropo 362
n e of p ridge 360
terl i
70 B 358
Cen rstate 356
Inte 354
352
350
38°38'45" 348
346
Proposed location
of main channel
piers

38°38'40"

38°38'35"

38°38'30"

38°38'25"
0 100 200 300 400 500 600 FEET
0 50 100 150 METERS
St. Louis City, Missouri St. Clair County, Illinois

Figure 6.  Planar view of mapped Mississippi River channel reach indicating bed features and
corresponding velocity distribution (Huizinga and others, 2010).
 94°39

94°39

94°39

94°38

94°38
'10"

'05"

'00"

'55"

'50"
0"
39°9'2

Pier 3
FLOW

5"
39°9'1
Rock outcrop
94°39

Pier 2 Stone revetment

'15"

0" 0 50 100 150 200 250 FEET

39°9'1 EXPLANATION
Change in channel-bed elevation, in feet 0 25 50 75 METERS

-45 -30 -20 -15 -10 -7 -5 -3 -1 1 3 5 7 10 15 20 30

SCOUR DEPOSITION

Figure 7.  Planar view of mapped Missouri River channel reach at Kansas City, Mo., indicating the change in bed conditions between
surveys in 2015 and 2011 (Interstate 635 Bridge over the Missouri River at Riverside, Mo.; Huizinga, 2016).

Huizinga, R.J., and Rydlund, P.H., Jr., 2004, Potential-scour assess-

ments and estimates of scour depth using different techniques at
selected bridge sites in Missouri: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific
Investigations Report 2004–5213, 42 p. [Also available at https://
pubs.usgs.gov/sir/2004/5213/.]
Mueller, D.S., Wagner, C.R., Rehmel, M.S., Oberg, K.A., and Rain-
ville, F., 2013, Measuring discharge with acoustic Doppler current
profilers from a moving boat (ver. 2.0, December 2013): U.S Geolog-
ical Survey Techniques and Methods, book 3, chap. A22, 95 p. [Also
available at https://doi.org/10.3133/tm3A22.]
Richardson, E.V., and Davis, S.R., 2001, Evaluating scour at bridges
(4th ed.): U.S. Federal Highway Administration Publication FHWA
NHI 01–001, Hydraulic Engineering Circular no. 18, 378 p.

By Richard J. Huizinga and David C. Heimann

EXPLANATION For further information, please contact

Shallow Deep Director, Central Midwest Water Science Center
Water depth
U.S. Geological Survey
1400 Independence Road
Figure 8.  Planar view of mapped bottom of Reservoir Rolla, MO 65401
3 near Cameron, Mo., from a multibeam echosounder (573) 308-3667
survey in July 2013 (Huizinga, 2014). https://mo.water.usgs.gov/

ISSN 2327-6916 (print)

ISSN 2327-6932 (online)
https://doi.org/10.3133/fs20183021