Hydrographic Survey

Hydrographic surveys (sometimes known as bathymetric surveys) are an extension of our land surveying service.

Providing an accurate and detailed plan of all features below the water’s surface. This type of survey is suitable for lakes, rivers, harbours, broads, reservoirs and water treatment plants up to a depth of ten metres.

We use a hydrographic survey to calculate the depth of the water body and measure the ground below the water. This data is translated into a Digital Terrain Model (DTM), detailing the contours of the land below the water. Sometimes called a bathymetric survey, it’s used before proceeding with dredging, building a new bridge, or directional drilling to put in place new services.

The hydrographic survey employs a lightweight, remote-controlled surveying boat fitted with GPS and echo sounders. Points are recorded at set distances, and this survey type is suitable water environments up to ten metres deep. In areas without stable GPS, a robotic total station and 360° prism is used to provide the survey data. Our surveyors undertaking the survey are Rescue 3 qualified.

This type of survey has clear safety advantages and efficiency benefits. It can be completed as a stand-alone project or as an extension to a topographical project allowing all information above and below the water to be integrated into one study. Hydrographic survey data is available in multiple of formats as needed.

Are there other uses for a Hydrographic survey?

This type of survey is useful for space calculation, for example relocating silt into an on-site lake. We have some of our bathymetric survey case studies below.