Bathymetry from through-water photogrammetry

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Fluvial Systems Research Inc. (FSR) specializes in river analysis, assessment and management, including development of hydrological models. A key input parameter for modeling water flow in rivers is the structure of the river bed, best quantified with a 3D terrain model. However, developing 3D terrain models of river beds using field data is unfeasible at the spatial extents needed for real-world applications. Photogrammetry is an alternative to field-based data collection for development of 3D terrain models. Well developed for terrestrial applications, photogrammetry of areas immersed in water is complicated by the refraction of light at the air-water interface. This research project will build upon earlier development in through-water photogrammetry to produce computer code to produce robust 3D terrain models for river beds and other areas immersed in water. FSR will acquire stereo satellite imagery from the WorldView-2 satellite as well as depth soundings georeferenced with a differential GPS system, for validation of the developed method. The Nicomekl River in Surrey, BC, will be used as pilot site because FSR already conducts field sampling there. The results will be immediately applicable to FSR to improve its hydrological modeling for the Nicomekl River, while adoption of through-water photogrammetry more broadly will improve water depth estimates for shallow-water bodies, rivers, lakes and nearshore areas, world-wide.