Water & bathymetry

Hydrography & bathymetry with drones

Map watercourses, ponds, harbours and their beds. With drones, unmanned survey vessels (USV) and green LiDAR we measure both above and below the waterline — safely and without heavy equipment.

Measuring on and under the water

Hydrography maps water and the water bed. Above the waterline we measure banks and structures with drone photogrammetry or LiDAR. Below the waterline we determine the depth (bathymetry) with an echo sounder on an unmanned survey vessel (USV) or with green LiDAR that penetrates clear water.

This creates a seamless model from bank to bed, without a manned boat having to sail into difficult or shallow zones.

Applications

  • Surveying of watercourses, ditches and banks
  • Bathymetry of ponds, docks and harbours
  • Sludge volumes and dredging quantities
  • Monitoring of erosion and sedimentation
  • Support for hydraulic and nature projects

Which technique?

The choice depends on depth, clarity and accessibility:

TechniqueSuitable for
USV with echo sounderDeeper, turbid waters
Green LiDARShallow, clear water
Drone photogrammetryBanks and emergent zones

What you receive

  • Depth model and contour lines of the bed
  • Seamless model from bank to bed
  • Sludge and dredging volumes
  • Point cloud and plans in DWG/DXF

Examples and applications

  • Bathymetry of a pond with sludge volume
  • Survey of a watercourse with banks
  • Sounding of a marina or dock
  • Dredging volume before and after works
  • Monitoring of bank erosion
  • Survey of a retention basin

Ready to plan your flight?

Licensed surveyor-expert and certified drone pilot. Ask for advice or a quote, no obligation.

Frequently asked questions

To what depth can you measure?

With an echo sounder on a USV we measure ample depths; green LiDAR works to a few metres in clear water. We choose the technique per project.

Is this safer than a classic sounding?

Often yes. An unmanned vessel reaches shallow or dangerous zones without a crew on board.

Can you determine sludge volumes?

Yes. By comparing the bed with a reference or previous survey we calculate sludge and dredging volumes.

Do you work for governments and water managers?

Yes. We deliver results in the requested systems and formats for files and public tenders.