Professional Services
What are Hydrographic & Bathymetric Surveys?
Bathymetric surveys measure the depth and shape of underwater terrain, producing detailed models of riverbeds, lakebeds and seabed's.
Hydrographic surveys expand on this by capturing additional spatial data such as shoreline conditions, underwater features and submerged infrastructure.
Using technologies including GNSS RTK positioning, sonar bathymetry and autonomous survey vessels, hydrographic surveys allow accurate mapping of water environments that may be difficult or hazardous to survey using traditional methods.
Why Choose tri-site for Bathymetric surveys?
CHCNAV Apache USV Series
Our hydrographic surveys utilise the CHC Apache autonomous surface vessel (USV) platform, designed specifically for bathymetric data collection and hydrographic surveying.
The Apache platform allows survey data to be collected safely and efficiently without requiring personnel to operate directly on the water.
Its compact design enables surveying across rivers, lakes, reservoirs, harbours and coastal environments, including locations where traditional vessels may struggle.
Flexible Survey Payloads
The Apache platform supports a modular payload configuration, allowing the system to be equipped with different hydrographic sensors depending on project requirements.
- Singlebeam
- Multibeam
Applications by Sector
Hydrographic Survey Applications
Flood Risk & Water Management
Accurate underwater topography is essential for effective flood modelling and water resource management. Our single-beam and multibeam echosounder systems enable precise mapping of rivers, reservoirs, flood plains and drainage channels — providing the high-quality depth data that underpins reliable hydraulic models, capacity assessments and flood risk strategies.
Typical Use Cases
- River and reservoir bathymetric mapping
- Flood plain and drainage channel surveys
- Hydraulic model input data
- Reservoir capacity assessments
- Flood risk strategy support
Infrastructure & Engineering Projects
Surveying underwater structures demands precision and reliability. Whether you're inspecting bridges, culverts, pipelines, water crossings or subsea foundations, our echosounder and USV systems provide the accurate depth data and bathymetric coverage needed to support design, inspection, monitoring and engineering assessments — safely and efficiently, without the need for divers or manned vessel access in hazardous conditions.
Typical Use Cases
- Bridge and culvert underwater inspection
- Pipeline and water crossing surveys
- Subsea foundation assessment
- Engineering design support surveys
- Structural monitoring surveys
Dredging & Channel Monitoring
Maintaining navigable depths in ports, rivers and coastal waterways requires continuous, accurate monitoring of sediment movement and channel profiles. Our echosounder systems provide the real-time depth data needed to plan, execute and verify dredging operations — with single-beam systems for profile surveys and multibeam systems for full-coverage bathymetric monitoring where engineering-grade data is required.
Typical Use Cases
- Pre- and post-dredge verification surveys
- Sediment movement monitoring
- Channel profile surveys
- Navigable depth confirmation
- Port and waterway maintenance monitoring
Environmental Monitoring
Understanding aquatic habitats, water quality and ecological conditions requires reliable spatial data from below the surface. Our survey systems support ecological surveys, habitat mapping, environmental impact assessments and long-term monitoring programmes — providing the accurate bathymetric and hydrographic data that environmental consultancies, government agencies and water companies need to make informed decisions.
Typical Use Cases
- Aquatic habitat mapping
- Environmental impact assessments (EIA)
- Long-term ecological monitoring programmes
- Water quality and sediment studies
- Baseline surveys for consultancies and agencies
Ports, Harbours & Coastal Infrastructure
Marine environments demand survey equipment that performs reliably in challenging conditions — tidal variation, vessel traffic, turbid water and complex seabed topography. Our multibeam echosounder and USV systems deliver high-resolution bathymetric data for port surveys, harbour maintenance, coastal change monitoring and marine construction support — deployable on USVs or your own survey vessel.
Typical Use Cases
- Port and harbour bathymetric surveys
- Coastal change monitoring
- Marine construction support surveys
- Berth and approach channel surveys
- Seabed topography mapping
Deliverable Outputs:
Depending on project requirements, hydrographic surveys can provide:
Bathymetric Surface Models
Digital Terrain Models (DTM)
Depth Charts and Contour Maps
GIS Compatible Datasets
CAD and BIM Compatible Outputs
Detailed Survey Reports and Documentation
These deliverables support engineering design, environmental analysis and infrastructure planning workflows.
Survey Partner Services
Tri-Site regularly supports geospatial companies who require specialist hydrographic survey capability.
We can operate as an extension of your survey team, delivering bathymetric surveys on your behalf while maintaining your client relationships.
Where required, we work in line with your organisation’s:
- branding and identification
- health and safety procedures
- reporting standards and project specifications
- insurance and compliance requirements
Our team can operate under your company name and wear your site badges, allowing you to expand your survey capability without investing in additional equipment or specialist hydrographic systems.
Need a Bathymetric Survey?
Speak to our team to discuss how bathymetric surveys can support your project.
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