A Student Initiated Hydrographic Survey in a Riverine Environment, The Pearl River 2002 Field Project Experience

Authors

• David Dodd, University of Southern Mississippi
• Stephan Howden, University of Southern Mississippi
• David Wells, University of Southern Mississippi
• Denis Wiesenburg, University of Southern Mississippi
• Hydrographic Science Masters Degree Graduating Class of 2002, University of Southern Mississippi

Document Type

Conference Proceeding

Publication Date

2003

Department

Marine Science

Abstract

The University of Southern Mississippi’s (USM) Hydrographic Science Program (HSP) has recently graduated its third class. The final task for students graduating from the program is the completion of a six-week field project, which entails a complete hydrographic survey for charting purposes. Students take full control of this project where they are responsible for all aspects of this survey from site selection, initial data mining, and specification development, through field data collection, processing and analysis, to a final report and field chart. The final products are sent to the National Ocean Service (NOS) for critical analysis and assessment. If deemed worthy, the information is used to update existing charts. Presently, data from the 2001 field program in St. Louis Bay have been accepted by NOS and data from the 2002 field program on the Pearl River are under review.

The Hydrographic Science program’s 2002 field project was performed on the Pearl River near the Stennis Space Center in Mississippi. Existing spatial information was used for project planning. GPS and traditional survey techniques were used to establish horizontal and vertical control. Water levels were monitored above and below the survey area. Depth observations and side-scan data were collected using a small skiff as well as a multibeam data collection platform. Analysis of the data indicated that IHO S-44, 4th edition, first order standards were met.

Recommended Citation

Martin, E. (2002). Personal communication on September 05, 2002. Head of Gulf Coast Nautical Charting Branch, National Ocean Service, Silver Springs, MD. HYD ROS (2002). “ROS – 2002 Pearl River”. Unpublished report of survey for the Department of Marine Science, University of Southern Mississippi, Stennis Space Center, Mississippi. HYD HSS (2002). “HSS – 2002 Pearl River”. Unpublished hydrographic Survey Specifications for the Department of Marine Science, University of Southern Mississippi, Stennis Space Center, Mississippi.