The ABPmer Survey team recently used a specialist unmanned surface vehicle (USV) to collect bathymetric data in the Otter Estuary. 

The ABPmer Survey team recently used a specialist unmanned surface vehicle (USV) to collect bathymetric data in the Otter Estuary. The survey was done as part of our work with CH2M, the Environment Agency and Clinton Devon Estates for the Lower Otter Restoration Project (LORP).

The remote control boat has an echo sounder to measure seabed depth which communicates with a Real Time Kinematic (RTK) Global Positioning System (GPS) via Bluetooth to give accurate elevation and position information.

We have also undertaken a detailed topographic survey to collect ground elevation readings at a range of locations and of various key features, a hydrodynamic survey of flow speeds and salinity levels at selected locations and an ecological survey of the habitats on the foreshore.

The main aim of the survey work is to create an accurate Digital Terrain Model (DTM) of the Lower Otter Estuary that describes the elevations of the landform (including the depths of the channels and the key landscape and infrastructure features). This model will then be used to inform our scheme design, impact assessment and hydrodynamic modelling that will be done to support the project.

Prepared by Andrew Pearson, Environmental Consultant

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