HYDROGRAPHIC SURVEYING

MWF 7:00 AM 12:00 NN

WHAT IS HYDROGRAPHY?

Hydrography is the branch of applied sciences which deals with the

measurement and description of the physical features of oceans, seas,
coastal areas, lakes and rivers, as well as with the prediction of their
change over time, for the primary purpose of safety of navigation and in
support of all other marine activities, including economic development,
security and defense, scientific research, and environmental protection.

International Hydrographic Organization (IHO)

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?

Marine environments (oceans, seas, lakes,

rivers, swamps, wetlands) cover 71% of the
Earths surface, yet only about 10% of the
seafloor has been surveyed by echo sounders at
a resolution of 1 minute or better.

To date, 95% of the worlds oceans remain

unexplored, unseen by human eyes.

Presently about 40% of the worlds population

lives within 100 kilometers of the coast United
Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)

Throughout history, oceans and other bodies of

water have been vital sources of sustenance,
transport, commerce, growth, and inspiration.
THREE ASPECTS

o Coastal Hydrography is concerned with the development of ports and

harbors, coastal erosion problems, the utilization of harbor and coastal
conservation services and, especially, the safety of navigation in coastal
waters.
o Off-shore Hydrography is concerned with
the provision of hydrographic data as an extension of the coastal zone normally
encompassing the continental shelf
the development of mineral deposits, including hydrocarbons
the provision of data for fisheries management

o Oceanic Hydrography is concerned with the acquisition of hydrographic

data in the deep ocean areas for the depiction of sea-floor
geomorphology.
AND HYDROGRAPHIC SURVEYING?

Hydrographic
Hydrography Surveying
Surveying

water depth, shape of primary method of map shorelines,

sea floor and coastline, obtaining hydrographic measure depths of
location of possible data bodies of water and
obstructions, and other flow of streams
physical features of
water bodies
AND HYDROGRAPHIC SURVEYING?

Hydrographic surveying, in the strictest sense, is defined merely

as the surveying of a water area; however, in modern usage it
may include a wide variety of other objectives such as
measurements of tides, currents, gravity, and the determination
of physical and chemical properties of water.
DISCIPLINES ASSOCIATED

Survey
Planning
GPS
Oceanography

Cartography Tides

Photogrammetry Acoustics

Dive
Geodesy Hydrography
Operations
HYDROGRAPHIC SURVEY ACTIVITIES

Nautical Charting: Periodic hydrographic surveys must be performed to determine shipping

channel conditions. Minimum controlling depths along with location of shoals and other
critical information regarding safe navigation gets documented. Reports of Channel
Conditions are accessible to waterway users.

Port and Harbor Operations: Survey data are required for effective management of water
resources and harbor estuaries. Operations include maintenance dredging, debris removal
for clear passage of vessels, environmental restoration, marine structural design, and many
others.

Coastal Geomorphology: Hydrographic surveys provide data for morphodynamic

classification of coastal areas from sea state, bathymetry, tide regimes.
HYDROGRAPHIC SURVEY ACTIVITIES

Coastal Engineering: Coastal mapping data is required for civil works projects such as
revetments, jetties, and beach nourishments. Hydrographic survey data is used to
understand various processes that shape the coastlines and human interaction with these
processes.

Coastal Zone Management: Hydrographic surveys provide data for coastal hazards and
vulnerability assessment of coastal landscapes in relation to climate change, subsidence,
glacial rebound, and others. Bathymetric data provide ancillary information on indicators
that capture the biophysical conditions and morphodynamic classification.

Offshore Resource Mapping: Offshore energy resources include wind, wave, and geologic
mineral (oil, natural gas etc) deposits. Surveys and Geographic Information Systems are
invaluable tools to identify the exploitation of these energy resources.
GEODETIC REFERENCE AND COORDINATE
SYSTEMS
Geodetic Reference System
, , and h obtained from GPS

Chart Coordinate System

consists of eastings (E) and
northings (N)
geodetic to chart map projection
HORIZONTAL POSITIONING

A) Conventional (Manual) Positioning

Pre-electronic positioning includes visual and optical methods of positioning.
Visual methods (obsolete) include Stadia/Azimuth, Sextant Resection, Triangulation,
andTag line procedures.
Other optical methods include shore-based theodolite intersection methods. A
minimum of two control stations must be occupied.
Another approach is the Baseline Range Alignment method which involves setting a
baseline along the shore.

B) Electronic Positioning
Electronic Distance measurements
- Intersection method & Resection Method
Differential Satellite Positioning (DGPS)
VERTICAL DATUM AND POSITIONING

A) Geodetic Vertical Datum

B) Tidal Datums
C) Sea Surface, Lakes, and
River Levels