EDS Projects

Recent EDS projects showcase the pairing of state-of-the-art technology with a wide range of field efforts. From the wind-swept playas of the high desert, to the fog-enshrouded Redwoods of Muir Beach, EDS is applying cutting-edge data gathering technologies in a variety of environmental settings.

Following are brief summations of these projects and the technologies we are using. If you would like to learn more about the specifics of our current or past field investigations please drop us a line so we may share our insights.

HYDROGRAPHIC SURVEYS

Batiquitos Lagoon Sub-Bottom Profile Survey and Bathymetric Surveys

Carlsbad, California

Client: Kinnetic Oceanographic Labs

EDS conducted a sub-bottom profile survey of Batiquitos lagoon, a coastal lagoon located in Carlsbad California. The field crew utilized an EdgeTech SB-424 tow fish operating at 8 KHz in order to determine the depth of the surface sand layer. Raw data was reduced using Chesapeake Software’s Sonar Whiz resulting in an isopach map showing depth of sand over estuarine mud.

These data were augmented by an extensive coring effort (carried-out by Kinnetic Labs, Santa Cruz, CA) which enabled specific calibrations of the sub-bottom data. The data analysis will ultimately aid in a sand dredging effort within the lagoon planned for Spring 2010.

Bathymetric data were collected concurrently with the sub-bottom data utilizing Army Corps of Engineers Class 1 guidelines. Bathymetric data were used in the construction of a Digital Elevation Model which was mapped with the sediment thickness isopach data.

 

 

Liberty Island Sub-Bottom Profile Survey

Sacramento River Delta, Solano County, California

Client: Phillip Williams Associates

As part of an effort to verify Delta marsh restoration conceptual models, EDS conducted a sub-bottom profile survey of Liberty Island—a flooded farm field located in the Sacramento River Delta. The purpose of the survey was to determine the amount of estuarine sediment newly deposited on the old agriculture surface. This geomorphic setting represents a large majority of lands which are slated for potential restoration sites within the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta.

EDS is at the forefront of using cutting-edge technology in habitat restoration projects throughout the West Coast.

 

 

Sears Point/Tolay Creek Restoration Bathymetric Survey and Flow Monitoring

Sonoma County, California

Client: Wetlands and Water Resources

EDS was contracted by Wetland and Water Resources (San Rafael, CA) to design and deploy a surface water flow monitoring program for the Sears Point Restoration Project in Sonoma County, California. This multi-faceted monitoring effort is designed to yield topographic, hydrologic and bathymetric data that will aid in the exploration of design alternatives for an upland, seasonal and tidal habitat restoration project.

EDS deployed 8 flow and level sensors throughout the project site and surveyed all locations and sensor elevations to the project datum. Data from these sensors will calibrate a storm water runoff model that will aid in the design of project flood control levees. EDS field personnel also conducted a Class 1 bathymetric survey of the main tidal creek (Tolay Creek) and San Pablo Bay mudflats. EDS cartographers processed the data in ArcGIS which will facilitate the construction of a digital elevation model (DEM).

 

 

Salton Sea Seabed Classification and Bathymetric Survey

Inyo County, California

Client: Agrarian Research Inc., and The Salton Sea Authority

This large-scale field effort was designed to identify and describe the nature of surface and sub-surface sediments that would be exposed due to expected future declines in the level of the Sea. EDS utilized state-of-the-art acoustic technology and data processing routines to remotely sense, describe and map the sea bottom.

The seabed classification effort was calibrated and verified through the collection and cataloging of over 800 surface grab samples and 500 sub-surface core samples. This effort was coupled with a multi-beam bathymetric survey of the entire seabed which was used to create a Digital Elevation Model. This model was then layered with the seabed classification and sample data.

 

High-Resolution Mapping of Lower Yuba River, Timbuctoo Bend

Yuba County, California

Client: University of California, Davis

EDS mapped over 8 miles of the lower Yuba River to support a 3D hydrodynamic modeling effort as part of a Salmon habitat restoration plan. EDS utilized a high resolution swath bathymetry system which consisted of multiple singlebeam transducers integrated with heading and motion sensors as well as RTK-GPS.

Bathymetric data were collected along cross sections which were spaced at 10 ft intervals for the entire length of the project reach. Data return rates were close to 90% despite the fact that the project reach contained numerous areas of fast water and boulders.  This effort was combined with a topographic survey that collected data every square meter along the project reach.

 

Hercules Multimodal Transit Facility Project Eelgrass and Widgeongrass Presence/Absence Survey and Bathymetric Survey

Contra Costa County, California

Client: Wetlands and Water Resources

Environmental Data Solutions was retained by Wetlands and Water Resources, Inc. to perform a survey for sensitive aquatic habitats, particularly eelgrass (Zostera marina) and widgeongrass (Ruppia maritima) beds, in the vicinity of the proposed Hercules Multimodal Transit Facility in San Pablo Bay.

On March 1, 2, 3 and 5, 2007, EDS performed a Sidescan sonar survey for eelgrass beds within the project boundaries. This survey effort also included a Class 1 hydrographic survey (USACE 2002) of the San Pablo Bay seafloor to provide updated bathymetric data in the project area and to correlate to eelgrass observations.

 

Stanislaus River Swath Bathymetric Survey

Central Valley, California

Client: U.S Bureau of Reclamation

Environmental Data Solutions was retained by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation to collect high resolution bathymetric data for the entire length of the Lower Stanislaus River in the Central Valley of California.

EDS is currently surveying this 52 mile reach using a swath bathymetric system incorporating RTK-GPS, heave, pitch and roll sensors, heading sensors and low frequency acoustic transducers. The low frequency transducers are being used to collect data in areas of heavy sub-aquatic vegetation. EDS topographic surveyors also established a control network throughout the 52 mile survey reach. This network tied-into existing NPS HARN points, as well as the network established by the LiDAR project team.

The resulting contour map (1 ft intervals in AutoCAD 2007) and Digital Terrain Model will be used to identify areas suitable for Salmonoid habitat restoration.

 

Alameda Point Channel – Condition, Progress, Pre and post-dredge surveys and AutoCAD Quantity Calculations

Walnut Creek, California

Client: Moffatt and Nichol Engineers

Environmental Data Solutions is currently under retainer contract to perform periodic Class 1 hydrographic surveys of the Alameda Point Channel, Alameda, Ca.

Quantity calculations are performed using the End-Area method within 24 hours of completing each survey. Cost = $45,000.

 

 

Oyster Point Marina – Condition, Progress, Pre and post-dredge surveys and AutoCAD Quantity Calculations

Brisbane, California

Client: San Mateo County and Salt River Construction, Tiburon, CA

Environmental Data Solutions conducted 1 condition survey, 1 pre-dredge survey, 5 condition surveys and 2 post-dredge surveys at the west basin of Oyster Point Marina, Brisbane Ca.

EDS utilized a specially designed survey vessel customized for marina surveys for the 9 surveys. Each survey conformed to ACOE Class 1 standards.

Contouring and quantity calculations (using the End-Are method and checked using the TIN method) were accomplished using AutoCAD 2007. Cost = $65,000.

 

Three Mile Slough Bathymetric Survey

Sacramento County, California

Client: EDAW Inc.

Environmental Data Solutions (San Rafael, CA) was contracted by EDAW Inc. (Sacramento CA) to perform hydrographic surveys of Three Mile Slough (Sacramento County, CA), False River Slough (Contra Costa County, CA) and a reach of the Sacramento River at the confluence of Three Mile Slough. EDS utilized multibeam technology in order provide near 100% coverage of the river floor at all three aforementioned locations. Topographic survey data was also collected along Three Mile Slough in order to extend the bathymetry data out onto the surrounding landscape.

The purpose of the surveys is to create a 1 ft contour map that will aid project engineers at The California Department of Water Resources (DWR). The point data and resulting maps will be used to determine a suitable location for a salinity control gate structure that is currently being designed by DWR project engineers.

 

 

TOPOGRAPHIC SURVEYS

Laguna Creek Lagoon Enhancement Project

Santa Cruz, California

Client: City of Santa Cruz

Located approximately 2 miles south of Davenport along the Santa Cruz County coastline, Laguna Creek and Laguna Creek Lagoon and it’s associated habitats support a number of special-status species, such as steelhead, coho, and California red-legged frog, and it also contains one of the 4 “north coast” drinking water diversions operated by the City of Santa Cruz. 

As part of an enhancement project EDS was contracted to collect field data that will help in the understanding of conditions upstream of a wetland/lagoon complex. Field data collection consisted of collecting high resolution topographic data (RTK GPS and stream corridor surveys), water quality data and Digital Terrain Modeling.

 

 

Aquatic Park Topographic Surveying / Mapping

Berkeley, California

Client: City of Berkeley

As part of a water quality management plan, EDS was contracted by the City of Berkeley to collect topographic data and create a Digital Terrain Model of Aquatic Park, Berkeley, CA. which was used in order to construct a grid for a hydrodynamic model.

HYDROLOGIC MONITORING

Integrated Regional Wetland Monitoring

San Pablo Bay, Suisun Bay, California

Client: Wetlands and Water Resources

As part of a CalFED monitoring effort, EDS, in collaboration with Wetland and Water Resources, is managing over 30 deployed instrument platforms throughout San Pablo Bay and the west Delta. These sensor platforms are generating time series data characterizing tidal heights, conductivity, dissolved oxygen and suspended sediment concentrations in ancient and restored tidal marshes. Ten of these stations incorporate telemetry for real-time monitoring and data reduction. EDS also conducted multiple bathymetric surveys of key tidal channels within each monitoring site.

 

Marina Shores Proposed Development, Redwood Creek Bathymetric & Topographic Survey

Redwood Creek, Redwood City, CA

Client: BKF Engineers, Glenborough Pauls LLC

EDS conducted a Class 1 bathymetric survey of a two mile reach of Redwood Creek (Redwood City, CA) and a portion of the Port of Redwood City. The EDS field crew utilized a specially-designed Boston Whaler outfitted with a narrow-beam system and RTK GPS. All data were reduced and contoured in AutoCAD 2004 for channel and marsh edge analysis.

 

Sly Park Reservoir Bathymetric Survey and Water Quality Monitoring

Sly Park Reservoir, El Dorado County, Ca

Client: Hydrologic Systems Inc.

As part of a joint venture with Hydraulic Systems Inc. (San Rafael, Ca), and Hydroikos Associates (San Rafael, Ca), EDS is currently managing an extensive field data collection effort at Sly Park Reservoir (Jenkinson Lake) In El Dorado County, California. As part of an overall water quality and reservoir management study for the El Dorado Irrigation District, EDS deployed 3 moored data buoys which are monitoring and recording temperature at 10 ft depth intervals for an 8 month period.

In order to document baseline conditions for future lake modeling, EDS installed and maintains a stream gauge on the main creek (Park Creek) flowing into the lake. In addition to hydrologic monitoring, EDS has conducted creek channel surveys within the watershed and a bathymetric survey of the entire reservoir.

South San Francisco Bay Conductivity, Temperature and Depth Monitoring

South San Francisco Bay, California

Client: Moffatt and Nichol

EDS deployed and maintained 11 CTDs throughout the Southern quadrant of San Francisco Bay from January to May, 2004. This work was performed under contract to Moffatt and Nichol Engineers, Walnut Creek, California with funding provided by the California State Coastal Conservancy.

One of the goals of this monitoring effort is to characterize hydrologic conditions during winter – spring conditions. Collected time series will aid in the calibration of three dimensional computer models that will evaluate restoration alternatives for the South Bay Salt Pond Restoration effort currently underway (www.southbayrestoration.org). In addition to characterizing tidally-influenced water surface elevations and salinities, this monitoring program also documented the effects of rainfall events on salinities and water surface elevations at key tidally-influenced creeks along the margins of South San Francisco Bay.

 

 

Redwood Creek Monitoring and Topographic Surveys

Marin County, California

Client: National Park Service

As part of a coastal stream and lagoon restoration effort, this three year monitoring program focuses on characterizing stream flow, sediment transport, and seasonally-influenced changes in creek channel geometries. The EDS field crew sampled eight storm events between November 2002 and February 2004, as well as maintained two stream monitoring packages that consisted of a stage recorder and optical backscatter sensor (OBS).

Storm sampling consisted of measuring bedload, suspended sediment concentrations, flow and creek stage. Repeated topographic surveys of a two mile reach of creek, Big Lagoon and beach-dune system, documents natural and restored (post-construction) stream channel geometries during pre and post winter conditions.

 

Charleston Slough Wetland Monitoring

Mountain View, California

Client: City of Mountain View

EDS is providing on-going monitoring services for the City of Mountain View that include repeated tidal slough channel and marsh plain surveys. In addition to surveying, EDS is maintaining instrument platforms that record data on conductivity, dissolved oxygen and water surface elevations.

These data will be used for adaptive management decisions as well as calibration and validation of various hydrodynamic models.

 

 

Lower Snake River Dredging Project Water Quality Monitoring

Snake and Clearwater Rivers, Washington

Client: Manson Construction

EDS teamed with Dixon Marine Services (Inverness, CA) and EYASCO, Inc. (Aptos, Ca) to design, implement and manage a real-time water quality monitoring program to support dredging operations at various reaches within the Snake and Clearwater Rivers.

This monitoring program consisted of four instrumentation platforms at the dredging sites, and two at the disposal site. Each platform measured and recorded 5 water quality constituents (at the top and bottom of the water column): depth, turbidity, ammonia, pH, temperature, DO and conductivity. The circumstances of the dredging operation proved to be a challenge. The instrument platforms had to shadow the movements of the dredge, as well as provide near-real time data through a satellite telemetry link to a project database.