ASTM D5073-90(1996)e1

e1
Designation: D 5073 – 90 (Reapproved 1996)
AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR TESTING AND MATERIALS
100 Barr Harbor Dr., West Conshohocken, PA 19428
Reprinted from the Annual Book of ASTM Standards. Copyright ASTM
Standard Practice for
Depth Measurement of Surface Water
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 5073; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
e NOTE—Keywords were added editorially in July 1996.
1. Scope 3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions—For definition of terms used in this practice
1.1 This practice guides the user in selection of procedures
commonly used to measure depth in water bodies that are as refer to Terminologies D 1129 and D 4410.
follows: 3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.2.1 bar-check, n—a method for determining depth below
Sections
Procedure A—Manual Measurement 6 through 11
a survey vessel by means of a long, narrow metal bar or beam
Procedure B—Electronic Sonic-Echo Sounding 12 through 13
suspended on a marked line beneath a sounding transducer.
Procedure C—Electronic Nonacoustic Measurement 14 through 15
3.2.2 bar sweep, n—a bar or pipes, suspended by wire or
The text specifies depth measuring terminology, describes
cable beneath a floating vessel, used to search for submerged
measurement of depth by manual and electronic equipment,
snags or obstructions hazardous to navigation.
outlines specific uses of electronic sounders, and describes an
3.2.3 beam width, n—the angle in degrees made by the main
electronic procedure for depth measurement other than using
lobe of acoustical energy emitted from the radiating face of a
sonar.
transducer.
1.2 The references cited and listed at the end of this practice
3.2.4 bottom profile, n—a line trace of the bottom surface
contain information that may help in the design of a high
beneath a water body.
quality measurement program.
3.2.5 sonar, n—a method for detecting and locating objects
1.3 The information provided on depth measurement is
submerged in water by means of the sound waves they reflect
descriptive in nature and not intended to endorse any particular
or produce.
item of manufactured equipment or procedure. 4
3.2.6 sound, vt—to determine the depth of water (1).
1.4 This practice pertains to depth measurement in quies-
3.2.7 sounding line, n—a rope or cable used for supporting
cent or low-velocity flow. For depth measurement related to
a weight while the weight is lowered below the water surface
stream gaging see Test Method D 3858. For depth measure-
to determine depth.
ments related to reservoir surveys see Guide D 4581.
3.2.8 sounding weight, n—a heavy object usually of lead,
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
that may be bell-shaped, for use in still water and soft bottom
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
materials or torpedo shaped with stabilizing fins, for use in
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
flowing water.
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
3.2.9 stray, n—spurious marks on the graphic depth records
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
caused by surfaces other than the bottom surface of a water
body below the sounding vessel.
2. Referenced Documents
3.2.10 subbottom profile, n—a trace of a subsurface horizon
2.1 ASTM Standards:
due to a change in the acoustic properties of the medium
D 1129 Terminology Relating to Water through which the sound energy has traveled.
D 3858 Test Method for Open-Channel Flow Measurement
3.2.11 towfish, n—a streamlined container, containing
of Water by Velocity-Area Method
acoustical equipment for sounding depth, and designed to be
D 4410 Terminology for Fluvial Sediment
pulled behind or beneath a survey vessel.
D 4581 Guide for Measurement of Morphologic Character-
3.2.12 transducer, n—a device for translating electrical
istics of Surface Water Bodies
energy to acoustical energy and acoustical energy back to
electrical energy.
3.2.13 transducer draft, n—the distance from the water
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D-19 on Water and
surface to the radiating face of a transducer.
is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D19.07 on Sediments, Geomorphology,
and Open-Channel Flow.
Current edition approved May 25 and Oct. 26, 1990. Published December 1990.
2 4
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 11.01. The boldface numbers in parentheses refer to a list of references at the end of
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 11.02. this practice.
D 5073
3.2.14 vertical control, n—a horizontal plane of reference 8. Sounding Rod (Manual Procedure)
used to convert measured depth to bottom elevation.
8.1 The sounding rod (or sounding pole) can be used to
measure depth over extensive flat, shallow areas more easily
4. Summary of Practices
and more accurately than by other means. Use of the sounding
4.1 These practices include the following three general
rod should be restricted to still water or where the velocity is
techniques for acquiring depth measurements in surface water:
relatively low, and to depths less than 12 ft (3.7 m). Sounding
4.1.1 The first general technique is to determine depth by
rods are usually not used in depths over 6 ft (1.8 m) except to
manual procedures. The equipment to perform these proce-
provide supplemental soundings to aid in interpreting analog
dures may be most readily available and most practical under
depth records. A weighted, flat shoe (see Fig. 1) should be
certain conditions.
attached to the bottom of the rod to prevent it from penetration
4.1.2 The second general technique is to determine depth by
of the bottom sediments. The rod may be graduated in feet and
electronic sonic-echo sounding procedures. These procedures
tenths of a foot; zero being at the bottom of the shoe (3).
are most commonly used because of their reliability and the
8.2 Modern sounding rods may be made of light-weight
variety of instruments available that meet specific measuring
metals for strength, neutral buoyancy, and sound transmitting
requirements.
capability. An experienced operator can measure the water
4.1.3 The third general technique is to determine depth by
depth and can distinguish the relative firmness of the bottom
an electronic procedure other than acoustic sounding. A pro-
material by the feel of the rod and the tone produced by the
cedure using ground penetrating radar is currently being used
metal pole as it contacts the bottom (4).
for measuring water depth for specific applications.
8.3 When sounding in still water the operator should lower
the rod into the water until the bottom plate makes contact with
5. Significance and Use
the bottom surface. After determining that a firm bottom
5.1 This is a general practice intended to give direction in
material has been encountered, the water surface level is
the selection of depth measuring procedures and equipment for
visually read on the rod. When sounding in flowing water, to
use under a wide range of conditions encountered in surface
achieve vertical sounding, a long wire or cable anchored
water bodies. Physical conditions at the measuring site, the
upstream and attached to the lower end of the rod may be
quality of data required, and the availability of appropriate
necessary.
measuring equipment govern the selection process. A step-by-
step procedure for actually obtaining a depth measurement is
9. Sounding Line (Manual Procedure)
not discussed. This practice is to be used in conjunction with a
9.1 The sounding line (see Fig. 2) can be used to measure
practice on positioning techniques and another practice on
depths of large magnitude but is seldom used for depths greater
bathymetric survey procedures to obtain horizontal location
than 15 ft (4.57 m). The sounding line should be of a material
and bottom elevations of points on a water body.
PROCEDURE A—MANUAL MEASUREMENT
6. Scope
6.1 This procedure explains the measurement of water depth
using manual techniques and equipment. These include the use
of sounding rods, sounding lines, sounding reels, or a bar
sweep.
6.2 Description of techniques and equipment are general in
nature. Techniques and equipment may need to be modified for
use in specific field conditions.
7. Significance and Use
7.1 Prior to the development of acoustic sounding equip-
ment, manual techniques provided the only means of depth
measurement. Some circumstances may still require sounding
by manual techniques such as shallow areas where depth is not
sufficient for acoustic sounding. Manual procedures continue
to serve several useful purposes such as the following:
7.1.1 To search for and confirm the minimum depths over
shallow area of sunken obstacles.
7.1.2 To confirm bottom soundings in areas with submerged
vegetation, or other soft bottom materials.
7.1.3 To assist in obtaining bottom samples.
7.1.4 To calibrate electronic sounding equipment.
7.1.5 To suspend other measuring instruments to known
depths for making various physical or chemical water quality
measurements (2). FIG. 1 Graduated Sounding Rod with Shoe Attached
D 5073
or brass. For application in still water, the weights are
bell-shaped (see Fig. 3a) and made of cast aluminum or lead.
The amount of weight should be from 5 to 10 lb (2.3 to 4.5 kg).
9.3.1 For application in flowing water, the weight should be
of circular cross section and steamlined with fins (see Fig. 3b)
to turn the weight nose first into the current to offer a minimum
of resistance to the flow. The amount of weight should be
varied, depending on the water depth and flow velocity at a
cross section. A rule of thumb is that the weight in pounds
should be greater than the maximum product of velocity and
depth in the cross section. If debris or ice is flowing or the
stream is shallow or swift, use a heavier weight than the rule
designates. A variety of sizes of sounding weights from 15 to
300 lb (7 to 136 kg) should be available with appropriate
means of attaching to the sounding line (1). Sounding weights
should always be attached to the sounding line using a hanger
FIG. 2 Sounding Line Used from Small Boat
that does not shrink or stretch, or lengthen from wear or
corrosion of the material as will occur in chain links over
several years of use. Though manila rope and cotton, or other
materials that require prestretching before use, have been
employed for large depths, small-diameter high-strength steel
cable wound and released from a reel with a gear driven depth
indicator are readily available and greatly simplify the work
(1). The stretch of the high-strength cable is very small for its
intended use, and therefore, a considerable length of cable may
be used without introducing significant error. Depth indicators,
calibrated in either inch-pound or metric units, or both, are
available (5).
(a) Bell Shaped Sounding Weight (4)
9.2 Markings on the sounding line should be easy to see and
understand to avoid making errors in determining the readings.
For sounding relatively shallow depths, marking at 0.5-ft
intervals with different colors to identify the 1, 2, and 10-ft
intervals is recommended. Care must be exercised so that the
first marker is the correct distance from the bottom of the
sounding weight when the weight is attached. When sounding,
depths are obtained from the difference in readings at an index
point on the bridge or boat rail, when the base of the sounding
weight is at the water surface, and when it is at the bottom. A
short steel tape or folding rule is usually employed to measure
the fractional distance from the line markers to the reference
point. Within the minimum 0.5-ft markings depths are esti-
mated and recorded to the nearest 0.1 ft. For sounding in deep
water, a sounding reel with depth indicator and an unmarked
high-strength steel cable is recommended (4).
9.2.1 When the metric system of units is used, the sounding
line for use in shallow depths is usually marked at 0.5-m
intervals with different colors to identify the 1 and 2-m
(b) Torpedo Columbus-Type Sounding Weight
intervals. Depths are recorded to the nearest 0.01 m.
9.3 Weights used in sounding are usually of lead, aluminum, FIG. 3 Typical Weights Used with Sounding Line
D 5073
bar, clevis, snap hook, or thimble of brass or stainless steel to 11. Bar Sweep (Manual Procedure)
protect the line from wear or damage.
11.1 The bar sweep is commonly used to search for and
9.4 The procedure for making soundings will vary depend-
locate any shoal or obstruction within or above navigation
ing on depth, current velocity, and means of locating where the
depth that may present a hazard to navigation. It augments the
soundings are taken. Once at the location where a depth
hydrographic survey in navigable waters by locating shallow
measurement is needed, the basic procedure is to lower the
submerged areas that may go undetected by the usual hydro-
weight until the bottom of the weight is at the water surface.
graphic procedures. The bar sweep (see Fig. 5) consists of a bar
When using a marked sounding line, the distance is read from
(steel pipe) suspended beneath the survey vessel by graduated
the sounding line at a reference point on the bridge or boat after
wire or cable from hand operated drums. The drums may be
which the weight is lowered to the bottom, and a new distance
mounted either off the stern or at the port and starboard
is read from the line and recorded. When using a sounding reel
gunwale. Each end of the bar should be packed with lead to add
the indicator is set to zero after which the weight is lowered to
weight and to reduce lift when underway. Pipe weight is the
the bottom and the depth is read and recorded. It is usually of
major factor in allowable vessel speed. Trial and error varia-
some importance, especially when sounding an uneven bottom,
tions are usually necessary to determine the best combination.
to have the locations of the soundings accurately known
In a normal operation, the bar is lowered to navigation depth
relative to the surroundings. When sounding from a boat using
and the vessel moves forward to sweep an area. Whenever a
weighted line, the boat should be stationary and should remain
shoal is encountered, the operator raises the bar until it clears
at that position until the sounding has been completed and the
the obstruction. The shoal depth and position is then recorded.
location is determined.
The bar is then returned to navigation depth and the survey
9.5 Sounding through the ice cover of a lake or river may be
continues (2).
taken after boring holes in the ice with an ice auger. In this
PROCEDURE B—ELECTRONIC SONIC-ECH
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