Single-beam bathymetry data collected in shallow-water areas near Gambell, Golovin, Hooper Bay, Savoonga, Shishmaref, and Wales, Alaska, 2012-2013
Description
Nearshore bathymetry is a vital link that joins offshore water depths to coastal topography. Seamless water depth information is a critical input parameter for reliable storm surge models, enables the calculation of sediment budgets, and is necessary baseline data for a range of coastal development decisions. Bathymetric data collection capabilities of an active coastal geohazard field program operated by the Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys (DGGS) were expanded in 2012. Resultant datasets presented in this report include nearshore bathymetric measurements of critical shallow-water coastal areas in the vicinity of six western Alaska communities: Gambell, Golovin, Hooper Bay, Savoonga, Shishmaref, and Wales. These data are provided in the form of vector shiptracks and processed single-beam sounding point clouds. This work was completed with a low-cost, portable sonar system capable of shallow water measurements in rural settings; the system will be maintained for use or loan by DGGS for data collections of this type for the useful life of the equipment.