Author(s): Daniele Tonina; James A. McKean; C. Wayne Wright; Rohan M. Benjankar; Richard Carmichael

Linked Author(s): Daniele Tonina

Keywords: Riverscape mapping; Bathymetric LiDAR; EAARL-B; Stream bathymetry; Gravel-bed river

Abstract: The Experimental Advanced Airborne Research Lidar B (EAARL-B) is a new airborne aquatic-terrestrial sensor that allows simultaneous high resolution surveying in both environments over spatial domains of up to several hundred kilometres of stream length. Continuous watershed scale maps of terrestrial habitats have been available at meter scale for more than a decade, however maps of riverscapes have been fragmented, short, and typically with poor resolutions. Accurate maps of stream bathymetry at a resolution and extent appropriate for the studies of abiotic (sediment transport, river morphology and water quality) and biotic (aquatic habitat and aquatic organism behavior) processes have proven key for any water management project. Availability of stream bathymetric maps has been limited due mainly to instrument capability. Streams are typically mapped with different techniques from total station, DGPS, kayak mounting sonar to most recently bathymetric LiDARs, which could be ground or airborne LiDARs. All techniques, but the airborne LiDAR, are time-consuming, difficult to apply at large scale and limited to accessible streams (e.g. provide property). Conversely, airborne bathymetry LiDAR provides a landscape view of the stream still at a resolution that is comparable to small bedforms and fish habitat. Here we present the validation and application of a new bathymetric LiDAR, Experimental Advanced Airborne Research Lidar B (EAARL-B) on a 90 km long gravel bed river, Lemhi River in Idaho, USA.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3850/978-981-11-2731-1_073-cd

Year: 2018