The use of low-cost bathymetric methods for the purpose of exploiting mid-forest water reservoirs

Bathymetry, the science concerned with measuring the depth of water bodies and reservoirs and representing them graphically in the form of bathymetric maps, sections, and three-dimensional numerical models, is used in monitoring dynamic, socio-economically important areas. Available methods include satellite bathymetry, sonars or echo sounders. Satellite bathymetry is unsuitable for most inland reservoirs because its turbid waters suppress electromagnetic radiation. For small, inaccessible reservoirs, sonar and echo sounders are most commonly used as measurement methods. This manuscript describes bathymetric surveys conducted using a low-cost method based on the echo sounder Lowrance Hook 5. The bathymetric method was combined with a digital terrain model (DTM) enhanced by real-time kinematic (RTK) measurements. The analysis of the selected reservoir, located in the middle of the forest, shows that the method used fully meets the assumed objectives and can be successfully applied for the purposes of water reservoir used by forest services.