Marine Biochemists - A complete Aquatic Management Company

Aquatic Mapping Services

Marine Biochemists, leaders in lake and pond management for over 35 years, offers complete aquatic mapping utilizing state-of-the-art hydro acoustic echo sounding equipment. Hydro acoustics uses sound energy to detect objects and contours underwater. Digital echo sounders are integrated with computer processors, GPS (Global Positioning System) data and GIS (geographical information system) software to generate detailed and accurate maps of bathymetry (depth contours and shape), fisheries, bottom sediment type, and/or submersed aquatic plant coverage and height within the water column. Each of the following services can be customized to meet your budget and project objectives.

Bathymetric Mapping: Creates graphic representation of depth contours.

Bathymetric Data overlaid on satellite imagery. Accurate bathymetry provides baseline information necessary for habitat analysis, fisheries studies, aquatic vegetation management, dredging operations, and overall lake management plan development.

Bottom Sediment: Creates graphic representation of type of bottom sediment (sand, mud, rock, etc.), which are key for habitat identification/classification. Must be calibrated for given lake. Currently, sediment volume must be determined by other means.

Raw Echograms showing acoustic difference between rock bottom and mud bottom.

Fisheries Mapping: Creates graphic representation of relative fish abundance in given areas and within the water column, and estimated sizes of fish. Does not show species, which can be determined visually or from historical data, or actual total numbers.

Fish target locations with colored size and bathymetric representation overlaid on satellite imagery. Note the concentration of fish near the drop-off zone identifying key habitat and angling areas.

Vegetation Mapping: Creates graphic representation of percent coverage and relative height of submersed vegetation within the water column. Visual or physical sampling required to determine species.

Submersed Vegetation Height and Submersed Vegetation Coverage Data overlaid on aerial imagery. Accurate vegetation mapping is a key component in any Aquatic Plant Management Plan. Control results can be monitored prior to and after management activities to assess efficacy and plant community shifts.

From cool-water Wisconsin lakes to high desert California developments, Marine Biochemists’ hydro acoustic services can meet your aquatic mapping needs.

Price Quotations: Pricing is customized for every project based upon size of lake or study area, services requested, number of surveys requested, scope of other services contracted, etc. Please contact your Marine Biochemists representative for more details.