Remote sensing of the bathymetry and substrate of selected areas of Lake St. Clair - using the Remote Operated Vehicle for Environmental Research (ROVER) to detect dredging spoil piles near selected river...: Fs70-5/2015-017E-PDF

Lake margins are especially sensitive to coastal alteration by humans. Activities such as dredging have the potential to impact fish habitat. This is of special concern in Lake St. Clair, which is home to numerous species at risk including Northern Madtom, Eastern Sand Darter, and the Channel Darter. Yet, limited technology exists to survey shallow waters. The remotely operated ROVER was developed to collect high-resolution bathymetric data in shallow areas, such as undredged rivermouths. The objectives were to assess substrate profiles and bathymetry in the navigation channels of Belle River, Pike Creek, Puce River, Ruscom River, Thames River, and Mitchell's Bay. Also, 1 km2 zones adjacent to the rivermouths were surveyed to determine whether spoil piles could be detected. The condition of navigation channels varied from site to site; whereas some channels had well maintained trenches, other sites were unnavigable by boat. Little to no vegetation was found at any of the sites, suggesting these areas may not be suitable fish habitat. Spoil piles were not conclusively identified at any sites.

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