A survey to assess the distribution and thickness of sediment in Lake Byron was made as part of a diagnostic/feasibility investigation of the potential for lake restoration. A high-frequency, continuous seismic-reflection system was used to estimate thickness of sediment, and GPS was used to provide horizontal and vertical coordinates of 17 seismic transects of the lake.
The Lake Byron GPS positioning was accomplished by using a combination of kinematic and static-positioning techniques. Static positioning was used to establish a stationary reference base station at a USGS standard tablet monument of known latitude, longitude, and elevation. A network of reference stations was positioned relative to the base station using the differential static technique at the end points of the transects. These end-point reference stations were reoccupied during the seismic survey to provide periodic positioning checks. While conducting the seismic survey, a continuously operated roving receiver attached to the deck of the seismic equipped pontoon boat recorded data necessary to position the seismic data relative to the reference base station. Clock times taken from the roving GPS receiver were written on the seismic record to relate the position coordinates to the seismic data. Analysis and interpretation of the GPS positioned seismic data were facilitated by using a geographic information system (ArcInfo).
Publication:
- Sando, S.K., and Cates, S.W., (1994) Determination of Sediment Thickness & Volume in Lake Byron, South Dakota, Using Continuous Seismic-Reflection Methods.US Geological Survey Water Resources Investigation Report, 17p.