Development of a Drone-deployed Ground-Penetrating Radar System for Non-contact Bathymetry of Freshwater Systems

Thursday, 13 June 2019: 10:00
Davie West Building, DW103 (Florida Atlantic University)
John W Lane Jr, USGS, Hydrogeophysics Branch, Storrs, CT, United States, John Wesley Fulton, USGS Colorado Water Science Center Denver, Denver, CO, United States, Amber Onufer, Guideline Geo, Summerville, United States and Cian Dawson, USGS Hydrogeophysics Branch, Storrs, CT, United States
Abstract:
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) conducts streamgaging operations at tens of thousands of sites across the United States to measure and monitor open-channel discharge. In-water work by personnel is one of the most dangerous aspects of USGS hydrologic studies, especially during high-flow conditions. In 1996 the USGS Hydro 21 program was initiated to improve streamgaging methodology, efficiency and safety. Hydro 21 tested non-contact radar methods to measure river discharge using a combination of doppler-radar velocimetry and Ground-Penetrating Radar (GPR). Helicopter-mounted GPR proved useful for non-contact measurement of river bathymetry and was approved for use; however, the cost and complexity of low-altitude heliborne GPR precluded routine application of the method.

Today, geoscientists are using small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS) or ‘drones’ to remotely collect a wide range of data. Recent USGS applications include groundwater/surface-water exchange studies, flood inundation mapping, and real-time volcanic eruption air-quality and lava flow monitoring.

As payload and flight-times increase, sUAS are increasingly deployed to conduct conventional geophysical surveys using magnetic, radiometric, electromagnetic, and GPR technologies. In 2018 the USGS continued testing of non-contact radar discharge monitoring methods using sUAS platforms. Here we describe progress in the development of a light-weight, self-contained GPR system suitable for deployment from a low-cost commercial sUAS. Two prototype MALÅ Geoscience* sUAS-GPR systems with center frequencies of 90 and 160 megahertz were tested. The prototypes communicate system parameters and real-time results to the operator using WiFi. In the event WiFi signal is lost, all data are recorded on-board for post-flight retrieval. Boat-deployed and sUAS flight testing of the prototypes provided system performance and other information useful for assessing system capabilities and future designs. The initial results support the feasibility of sUAS-GPR for non-contact bathymetry measurements of freshwater systems and additional applications currently in the domain of conventional ground-based GPR.

* Any use of trade, firm, or product names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.

<< Previous Abstract | Next Abstract