Date: Early Spring 2021​

​Location: River Aire, Newlay, West Yorkshire, UK​

​Project Background​

In early 2021, Storm Geomatics received a request from an existing client to conduct ​topographic and bathymetric surveys​ along a 250-meter stretch of the River Aire near Newlay, northwest of Leeds. The survey aimed to gather critical data for ​local asset recovery works, focusing on the area surrounding Newlay Weir, including the riverbanks, foreshore, and flood defenses.

​Challenges & Solution​

The survey location presented significant challenges:

• ​Extremely shallow water conditions​
• ​Fast-flowing currents​
• ​Difficult accessibility​

To overcome these obstacles, Storm Geomatics deployed an advanced ​Unmanned Surface Vessel (USV)​​ solution provided by the THURN Group and OceanAlpha. The system featured:

• ​OceanAlpha SL40 USV​ – A compact, maneuverable platform ideal for challenging river environments
• ​Geoswath4 Interferometric Sonar​ – Enabled wide-swath bathymetric mapping for efficient riverbank-to-riverbank coverage
• ​SBG Ekinox IMU​ – Delivered precise inertial measurements for accurate data collection

The ​SL40 USV’s shallow draft​ and the ​Geoswath sonar’s wide swath capability​ allowed the team to conduct a ​complete bathymetric survey safely and efficiently, even in the most inaccessible sections of the fast-moving river.

​Survey Methodology​

1. ​Bathymetric Survey​
   • The ​SL40 USV​ mapped the riverbed using the ​Geoswath4 Interferometric Sonar, capturing detailed depth data across the entire channel.
   • The ​wide-swath sonar technology​ ensured comprehensive coverage without requiring multiple passes.
2. ​Topographic Survey​
   • A combination of ​SL40 USV​ and traditional survey methods was employed:
     • ​Total station​ for 2m grid ground control
     • ​Trimble SX10 laser scanner​ for high-precision surface mapping
   • Overlapping data from both methods were cross-verified in ​GIS​ for accuracy.

​Results & Deliverables​

The combined survey data was processed to generate:

• A ​detailed 3D model​ of the riverine environment
• Engineering ​drawings​ for asset recovery planning
• A ​hydraulic model​ in ​Flood Modeller Pro

​

These geospatial deliverables provided engineers with critical insights into:

• Current ​topography and conditions​ at Newlay Weir
• ​Water level and flow calculations​ for various rainfall return periods

The project demonstrated the ​SL40 USV’s​ effectiveness in ​shallow-water bathymetric surveys, delivering high-quality data in a challenging environment while minimizing operational risks.