Hanson, J.L., Strange, J.M., Sattler, S.R., and Hoy, E.E., 2021, St. Croix National Scenic Riverway (SACN): Sonar Data Mapping to Assess Native Mussel Habitat: U.S. Geological Survey data release, https://doi.org/10.5066/P9X9I5QJ.
Summary
Hydroacoustic (sonar) data were collected for the Mississippi, St. Croix, and Minnesota Rivers for the development of high-resolution bathymetry and sidescan imagery. Combining these data in a GIS can provide key components to characterizing physical benthic habitat for native mussels in a riverine environment. These information needs were highly desired by the National Park Service to more accurately assess environmental factors that influence native mussel distribution. The collaborative effort was funded by the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR) Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund (ENRTF), to help maintain and enhance Minnesota’s environment and natural resources.
Summary
Hydroacoustic (sonar) data were collected for the Mississippi, St. Croix, and Minnesota Rivers for the development of high-resolution bathymetry and sidescan imagery. Combining these data in a GIS can provide key components to characterizing physical benthic habitat for native mussels in a riverine environment. These information needs were highly desired by the National Park Service to more accurately assess environmental factors that influence native mussel distribution. The collaborative effort was funded by the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR) Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund (ENRTF), to help maintain and enhance Minnesota’s environment and natural resources.
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SACN_Bathy_hill.tfw
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SACN_Bathy_hill.tif
953.2 MB
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SACN_Bathy_hill.tif.xml Original FGDC Metadata
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Purpose
The National Park Service's (NPS) Mississippi National River and Recreation Area (MISS) and the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway (SACN) have established high value habitat corridors for threatened and endangered native mussels, including the Winged Mapleleaf and Higgins’ Eye Pearlymussel. Underwater sonar, a hydroacoustic remote sensing technology, is a valuable tool for mapping physical habitat features in aquatic systems for sedentary biota such as freshwater mussels. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) acquired high-resolution multibeam and sidescan sonar of the lower 48 kilometers of the St. Croix River, from the shoreline to 7.62 meters deep. Additional data was collected for two small areas of high-valued mussel habitat, which included acoustic Doppler current profiler (ADCP) and underwater videos — to help interpret and map physical habitat characteristics. Hydroacoustic technologies have the potential to identify and quantify physical habitat features to inform management decisions.
