C. W. Bill Young Regional Reservoir Multibeam, Side Scan, and Pipeline Survey

Market Supported

Environmental, Hydrographic, Utility

Location

C. W. Bill Young Regional Reservoir in Hillsborough County, Florida

Client

Tampa Bay Water and Gannett Flemming, Inc. 

Time Frame

April 28 thru May 7, 2025

Completion

May 7, 2025

Main Project Tasks

Degrove Surveyors, Inc. completed a comprehensive hydrographic survey of the C.W. Bill Young Regional Reservoir for Tampa Bay Water to support ongoing reservoir management and infrastructure evaluation. Field operations were conducted between April 28 and May 7, 2025.

The project included full multibeam bathymetric mapping, side scan sonar imaging, and detailed profiling of three submerged aeration (DA/D) pipelines within the reservoir. Using RTK GPS positioning, motion reference sensors, multibeam echosounders, and side scan sonar, our team collected high-density data to produce an accurate Digital Terrain Model (DTM) of the reservoir bottom.

All survey control was referenced to NAD83 (2011), Florida State Plane West (US Survey Feet), with elevations tied to NAVD29. Daily positional checks and sonar calibration (patch testing) were performed to verify accuracy throughout the project. Multibeam data achieved full overlap coverage in navigable areas and was processed in HYPACK, with final surfaces generated in AutoCAD Civil 3D.

In addition to bathymetric mapping, Degrove Surveyors performed specialized pipeline detection surveys on three submerged DA/D aeration lines. These lines were surveyed using multibeam pipeline detection mode to determine both horizontal alignment and vertical clearance from the reservoir bottom. Profile analyses showed consistent burial depths, averaging approximately 2.3 to 2.4 feet from reservoir bottom to top of pipe, with tight standard deviations—providing Tampa Bay Water with critical insight into pipeline condition and exposure risk.

Side scan sonar data was processed into a high-resolution mosaic to identify bottom features and verify infrastructure locations. All data underwent rigorous QA/QC, anomaly review, and reprocessing where required to ensure a defensible final deliverable.

Deliverables Included:

  • High-density multibeam XYZ point files for terrain modeling
  • AutoCAD Civil 3D surfaces and drawings
  • Side scan sonar GeoTIFF mosaics and trackline maps
  • Pipeline alignment maps and profile exhibits
  • Excel stationing tables with reservoir and pipe elevations
  • Final signed hydrographic survey report meeting Florida Professional Standards

This project demonstrates Degrove Surveyors’ ability to integrate advanced hydrographic technologies with traditional surveying standards to deliver accurate, actionable data for large-scale water infrastructure systems.