Multibeam echosounder (MBES) for mapping subaqueous topography in rivers, lakes and seas

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We request funds for a multibeam echosounder (MBES). The instrument measures relative depth in rivers, lakes or coastal seas in 'swaths' several to many meters wide (depending on water depth). Combining adjacent tracks enables one to make a map of the topography of a channel bed, lake bottom or sea floor with centimeter precision. Signals are simultaneously sent and received from a sounding head that produces 512 unique soundings across a 140 degree swath. In principle, it combines many conventional echo-sounders, but the signals permit a complete map of the subaqueous surface to be made - something not practically possible with a single-beam sounder. The soundings are corrected for temperature, pressure, sound velocity changes and boat motion. Processing software allows relative depths to be corrected to local geodetic datums.