Mapping begins on Gulf of Mexico coastal zone

15 December 2009, 3:26pm

A major initiative to generate new coastal mapping data along the Gulf of Mexico is underway, the first partnership project between UK aerial mapping specialist Blom Aerofilms and Northrop Grumman to deliver surveying and mapping services for USACE, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

The aerial survey will support the USACE National Coastal Mapping Program, being carried out by the Joint Airborne Lidar Bathymetry Technical Center of Expertise (JALBTCX) and will generate seamless digital terrain models from both onshore and offshore data, providing important information about the region’s coastal morphology. Specifically, the fine detail generated for large portions of the Gulf of Mexico shoreline though Blom’s Lidar technology will help monitor coastal structures and navigation channels, and will help identify areas of coastal erosion.

Hawk Eye II, Blom Aerofilms’ aerial bathymetric laser system, has been adopted for the project because of its unique ability to gather both underwater bathymetric and topographical Lidar simultaneously in one aerial pass. This can be used to present an accurate depiction of the contours that bridge the gap between land and sea.

In total, the Gulf of Mexico Bathymetric Lidar project will cover 950km of coastline between Naples and Tampa, and from Tallahassee to Mobile, taking in access routes to seven major ports.

The project will also incorporate simultaneous hyperspectral data collection using a separate aerial camera, which will enable a full analysis of the coastal environment including underwater vegetation and other habitats along the coast. Processing and analysis of all data will be undertaken by Blom in conjunction with Northrop Grumman over a period of five months.

Achieving accuracies in excess of +/- 25cm in seaward areas, and in depths of between 0m and 55m, Hawk Eye II laser data can also be employed to accelerate the availability and accuracy of nautical charting, identifying the shape of the seabed as well as pinpointing the position and exact size of any man-made structures or obstructions. Its technology has enhanced the feasibility, quality and speeds of coastal and nautical mapping and, operating at typically 60% of the cost of traditional hydrographic survey, is assisting in providing high quality information to improve understanding of environmental and conservation projects, habitat management and coastal engineering and exploration.

Blom Aerofilms

Geo: International