Innovative Technologies and Methodologies to Help Solve Complex Problems in Spatial River Studies John V. Sloat Chief Technical officer WaterCube, LLC
Overview Water depth, water-velocity, and water-surface slope are fundamental to understanding the dynamics a river system. Advances in instrumentation, spatial data collection strategies, and processing/visualization techniques have improved significantly in recent years. Overall economic costs of these data have reduced significantly allowing access of results to a broader group of scientists, engineers and water-resources managers.
Outline The spatial river survey: Measuring depth, velocity, and watersurface slope along a river reach. Advances in sensing technology for spatial river surveys. The transect versus the go-with-the-flow data collection mentalities. Examining a complete workflow for spatial river surveys Examples of visualizing results getting the most from your data.
Spatial River Data Example (Velocity) 2-Kms 1-Kms 9-Kms
Spatial River Data Example (Depth) 2-Kms 1-Kms 9-Kms
Snake River below Swan Falls Dam Water-Surface Slope Using LiDAR Data Level Gauge Level Gauge Water-Surface Contour Extracted from LiDAR data (for similar flow event) Water-Surface Along River Center-Line
Studies Requiring River Spatial Surveys Instream Flow Studies Hydrodynamic Model Studies Hydraulic Studies Aquatic Habitat Studies Hydrologic Alteration Studies Sediment Transport Stream Restoration Studies Scour/Fill Studies Flow/Quality Monitoring Site Selection
Optimizing Workflow: Collect, Process, & Visualize RAPID DATA COLLECTION METHODS UTILIZING THE LATEST ACQUISITION TECHNOLOGY DATA PROCESSING LINKING MULTIPLE SPATIAL TECHNOLOGIES FOR COHERENT RESULTS DATA VISUALIZATION, HYDRAULIC COMPUTATION, AND DATA MANAGEMENT OF RESULTS
Water Measurement Technology : ADCP (Depth & Velocity) Single Frequency ADCP Integrated Multi- Frequency ADCP/GPS/SBE Fast Sampling Multi- Frequency Telemetry GPS Echo Sounder Dynamic Ranging Reduced Cost Automated Operation 1990 2010+ 9
Remote Sensing Topo & DEM Creation Benefits Coverage areas typically much larger than river corridor. IR (Red) Lidar is typically reflects off water-surface. Certain conditions allow for watersurface contours to be mapped. IR LiDAR combined with ADCP Bathymetry produces complete DEM. Green LiDAR can be used for bathymetry. IR LiDAR combined with ADCP Bathymetry produces complete DEM.
Combined Bathymetric and ADCP Spatial Velocity Surveys Snake River, Idaho 2.0 Kms 1.0 Km
The Transect Survey Mindset While technology and processing techniques have increased significantly river data is typically limited to transect views at several locations in the river. This significantly limits our need to understand critical river dynamics.
Measurement Strategy Going with the Flow ADCP is navigated downstream parallel to flow. Multiple ADCPs can be used to reduce measurement time. Each boat typically will float with the river current, or move slowly downstream. Upstream transects are possible only in lower currents. In most cases, 8-12 parallel lines are needed to resolve river conditions. Cross-stream transects can be used in sections of high interest or increased complexity.
Vectors and Cross-Sections Velocity Vectors Throughout
Snake River below CJ Strike Dam- Example Line Plan with Markers ADCP Track Lines
Combining ADCP Bathymetry and LiDAR ADCP Bathymetry LiDAR Merged ADCP & LiDAR Full DEM
Velocity Contours and Layers ADCP Mapped Velocities Velocity Layers Column
Sub-Section Sampling and Views Sub-Cubes- Higher Precision Grid
Sacramento River- California Capturing ADCP Track Bathymetry Lines & 5Km of Velocity River Throughout
Flood Measurements with Remote-Controlled Boats
Velocity 4.0-5.0 Meter Depth Below Surface
Velocity 3.0-4.0 Meter Depth Below Surface
Velocity 2.0-3.0 Meter Depth Below Surface
Velocity 1.0-2.0 Meter Depth Below Surface
Velocity 0.0-1.0 Meter Depth Below Surface
DE
Conclusions Depth, Velocity, and Water-Surface Slope are critical to understanding complex river hydraulics. Many studies lack this critical data limiting their reliability. Recent advances in sensing technology and sampling methodologies are reducing costs and improving results which is increasing the amount of data available for river studies. Collection, Processing, and Visualization define the strategic workflow and must be considered to optimize results. Accurate and reliable data = Better Results = Better Decisions
Thank You! Mississippi River Flood, 2007