Abstract
The high-resolution Experimental Advanced Airborne Research LIDAR (EAARL) is a new technology for cross-environment surveys of channels and floodplains. EAARL measurements of basic channel geometry, such as wetted cross-sectional area, are within a few percent of those from control field surveys. The largest channel mapping errors are along stream banks. The LIDAR data adequately support 1D and 2D computational fluid dynamics models and frequency domain analyses by wavelet transforms. Further work is needed to establish the stream monitoring capability of the EAARL and the range of water quality conditions in which this sensor will accurately map river bathymetry.
Highlights
Over the last two decades there has been a revolution in our ability to map and monitor large areas of subaerial topography using technologies such as radar and near-infrared Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR)
As each point elevation measurement requires on the order of 0.5–1 minute, field surveys of even small streams are seldom attempted for channel domains longer than a few hundred meters
By visually comparing contour maps made from the LIDAR bathymetry with basic channel characteristics observed in the field, we have qualitatively investigated the accuracy of Experimental Advanced Airborne Research LIDAR (EAARL)
Summary
Over the last two decades there has been a revolution in our ability to map and monitor large areas of subaerial topography using technologies such as radar and near-infrared Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR). Traditional field wading surveys, using GPS, total station, or leveling instruments, remain the standard for stream mapping While such surveys can be highly accurate, these field techniques require legal access to a channel and flow conditions that allow wading. Boat-based acoustic sounding and mapping systems with GPS-derived geolocation capability can produce high quality bathymetry, but require access, navigable water, and considerable time and effort for data acquisition over large areas of channel [5]. Further expansion of the beam occurs across the air-water interface and in the water column, with the final beam diameter at the bottom of the water reaching up to 5 m (depth dependent) [6] These characteristics are advantageous in some marine applications, but cause poor resolution of the small topographic features and abrupt changes in topography typically seen in the beds and banks of rivers.
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