Beach topography and nearshore bathymetry of northern Monterey Bay, California, September and October 2016
Dates
Publication Date
2017
Start Date
2016-09-13
End Date
2016-10-13
Citation
Stevens, A.W., Logan, J.B., Snyder, A.G., Hoover, D.J., Barnard, P.L., Warrick, J.A., 2017, Beach topography and nearshore bathymetry of northern Monterey Bay, California: U.S. Geological Survey data release, https://doi.org/10.5066/F76H4GCW.
Summary
This USGS data release presents data collected during surveys of nearshore bathymetry and beach topography from northern Monterey Bay, California. Survey operations were conducted between September 13 and October 13, 2016 (USGS Field Activity Number 2016-674-FA). Nearshore bathymetry data were collected using a personal watercraft (PWC) and small boat, each equipped with single-beam echosounders and survey-grade global navigation satellite system (GNSS) receivers. Topography data were collected using an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) equipped with a GNSS receiver and on foot with GNSS receivers mounted on backpacks. A terrestrial lidar scanner was used to obtain high-resolution topography data along portions of survey area inaccessible [...]
Summary
This USGS data release presents data collected during surveys of nearshore bathymetry and beach topography from northern Monterey Bay, California. Survey operations were conducted between September 13 and October 13, 2016 (USGS Field Activity Number 2016-674-FA). Nearshore bathymetry data were collected using a personal watercraft (PWC) and small boat, each equipped with single-beam echosounders and survey-grade global navigation satellite system (GNSS) receivers. Topography data were collected using an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) equipped with a GNSS receiver and on foot with GNSS receivers mounted on backpacks. A terrestrial lidar scanner was used to obtain high-resolution topography data along portions of survey area inaccessible to the ATV. Positions of the survey platforms were referenced to a GNSS base station with known horizontal and vertical coordinates. Depths from the echosounders were computed using sound velocity profiles measured with a conductivity-temperature-depth (CTD) sensor during the survey. Data coverage during this survey was limited due to equipment failure and staffing issues. In addition, the terrestrial lidar survey was performed about 3 weeks after the bathymetry and topography surveys. Despite the challenges, a total of 245 km of nearshore bathymetric survey lines and 303 km of topographic survey lines were surveyed, and terrestrial lidar data were collected from 8 scan positions during the survey (fig. 1).
Digital elevation models (DEMs) were produced from elevation data using linear interpolation and a grid-spacing of 2 m. A portion of the terrestrial lidar data was omitted during generation of the DEMs due to topographic change that occurred between the bathymetry, topography, and terrestrial lidar surveys.
Digital files containing the nearshore bathymetry data, beach topography data, terrestrial lidar data, and derived DEMs from this survey are available for download from the child item pages listed below.
Figure 1. Maps showing the locations of bathymetric- and topographic-survey lines, and terrestrial lidar scan positions from the September and October 2016 survey of northern Monterey Bay, California.
Click on title to download individual files attached to this item.
mb16_sept_coverage_detail.png “Maps showing survey lines for Monterey Bay sub-areas, September/October 2016”
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mb16_sept_coverage_overview.png “Map showing survey lines for Monterey Bay, September/October 2016”
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Purpose
Data were obtained to document changes in shoreline position and coastal morphology as they relate to episodic (storms), seasonal, interannual, and longer (for example, El Niño) processes. These data are intended for science researchers, students, policy makers, and the general public. These data can be used with geographic information systems or other software to identify topographic and shallow-water bathymetric features.
Preview Image
Map showing survey lines for Monterey Bay, September/October 2016