Evaluating survey instruments and methods in a steep channel

Methods for surveying and analyzing channel bed topography commonly lack a rigorous characterization of their appropriateness for project objectives. We compare four survey methods: a hand level, two different methods of surveying with a laser rangefinder, and a real-time kinematic GNSS (RTK-GNSS) t...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Geomorphology (Amsterdam, Netherlands) Netherlands), 2016-11, Vol.273, p.236-243
Main Authors: Scott, Daniel N., Brogan, Daniel J., Lininger, Katherine B., Schook, Derek M., Daugherty, Ellen E., Sparacino, Matthew S., Patton, Annette I.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Accuracy
Channels
Interoperator variability
Laser rangefinder
Lasers
Mathematical analysis
Operators
Roughness
Slope
Slopes
Surveying
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Summary:Methods for surveying and analyzing channel bed topography commonly lack a rigorous characterization of their appropriateness for project objectives. We compare four survey methods: a hand level, two different methods of surveying with a laser rangefinder, and a real-time kinematic GNSS (RTK-GNSS) to explore their accuracy in determining channel bed slope and roughness for a study reach in a small, dry, steep channel. Additionally, we evaluate the variability among four operators for each survey technique. Two methods of calculating reach slope were computed: a regression on the channel profile and a calculation using only survey endpoints. Using data from the RTK-GNSS as our accuracy reference, the hand level and two-person laser rangefinder surveying systems performed with high accuracy (
ISSN:0169-555X
1872-695X
DOI:10.1016/j.geomorph.2016.08.020