Riverbed survey on Japan's Yodo River with a HydroBoat 1200MB
SatLab Geosolutions surveyed a busy stretch of the Yodo River near Hirakata Bridge, Osaka Prefecture, with an unmanned survey boat carrying multibeam and single-beam echosounders.
The challenge
This part of the river carries regular boat traffic and dredging work, and bridge pillars restrict access. A crewed boat or a single-beam survey would have been slow, put people at risk close to the structures and left gaps in the data around the pillars.
What was done
- The HydroBoat 1200MB carried SatLab's HydroBeam multibeam and single-beam echosounders and ran the survey lines on its own, with obstacle avoidance near the pillars.
- Survey lines were planned from base maps the client supplied (DXF and KML).
- SatLab's SPIN method (sound speed profile inversion) removed the need for separate sound velocity casts.
- SLHydroBeam software showed depth grids live and filtered noise, so coverage and quality were checked on site.
Results
- A detailed 3D model of the riverbed that shows bridge pillars, pipe supports and scour around the structures.
- SatLab reports that the data met IHO Special Order accuracy, with more than 99% of depth points within tolerance.
Equipment
We supply and support the HydroBoat 1200MB in India, with installation, operator training and service from Pune.
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About this case study
This project was carried out and published by SatLab Geosolutions, whose products we represent in India. Ecoleap Solutions wrote this summary; figures are as reported by the manufacturer.
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