Blakeney Channel - Surveying

Earlier this month Exo Environmental Ltd conducted singlebeam bathymetry, drone and topographic surveys of Blakeney Harbour, on the North Norfolk coast on behalf of the Blakeney Channel Coastal Community Team (BCCCT).

The aim of these surveys was to determine the hydrogeomorphology of the main channel and Blakeney harbour and the change it has undergone since we last conducted surveys back in 2017.

Normally we conduct just a drone survey, to produce a Digital Terrain Model (DTM) at low water springs. However, this year, due to the pooling of water in certain areas of the channel, the drone coverage was not 100% and produced gaps in the data as the drone could not ‘see’ through the water.

As a result, we mobilised our singlebeam bathymetry kit to fill in the gaps.

On a glorious June morning we launched our inflatable wave line dinghy and mounted the singlebeam equipment onto it, taking less than 90 mins. Then as the spring high tide started to come in, we set off, recording and filling in the data gaps.

The survey was completed after a few hours on the water and after demobilisation and cleaning the equipment we headed back to the office to start the data processing.

From this data we were able to produce an integrated bathymetry and drone model to inform BCCCT of the changes to the sedimentology and hydrology of the harbour in the intervening 6 years. 

As well as this, comparison models were made between the two data sets to clearly show where sediment had eroded and accumulated.

From this data BCCCT can decide whether any management of the channel and harbour is necessary e.g., dredging or soft engineering.

If you’d like to find out more about our services visit our website https://www.exo-env.co.uk/ and follow us on social media or if you’ve got a project you need help with please contact us on enquries@exo-env.co.uk .