High-resolution depth surveys of lakes, ponds, reservoirs, harbours and waterways — using autonomous USVs with sonar and RTK GPS.
Bathymetry is the science of measuring and mapping the underwater terrain of a water body. Whether the goal is understanding sediment accumulation in a managed pond, calculating the remaining storage capacity of a reservoir, or producing a baseline depth model for a lake restoration programme — accurate bathymetric data is the foundation.
MĀKI surveys lakes, ponds, reservoirs, harbours and waterways using compact autonomous surface vessels (USVs) equipped with single-beam or multi-beam sonar and RTK GPS. The USV navigates a programmed grid pattern, collecting thousands of georeferenced depth measurements that are processed into detailed maps, volume calculations and 3D models.
The result: actionable data for asset management, environmental monitoring and planning decisions — collected safely and cost-effectively.
MĀKI's compact USV launches from the bank. No crane, no barge, no support vessel required — keeping mobilisation simple and cost-effective for water bodies of any size.
RTK GPS provides centimetre-level horizontal positioning accuracy, ensuring every depth measurement is accurately placed in space — critical for volume calculations and change detection.
Autonomous survey lines collect thousands of depth measurements across the full survey area — vastly more data than traditional manual sounding, and with greater consistency.
Compare current depth profiles against design drawings or a reference surface to calculate current storage volume, sediment accumulation, and remaining capacity.
The compact USV can access shallow margins and confined inlet channels that manned boats cannot safely enter — ensuring complete coverage of the full water body.
Establish a baseline and return on a scheduled cycle to track sediment accumulation rates, water body change over time, and the effectiveness of management interventions.
MĀKI bathymetric surveys cover a wide range of freshwater and coastal environments across New Zealand.
1. Planning. We review existing data (design drawings, previous surveys), design the survey grid and confirm site access. Most surveys are booked 1–2 weeks out.
2. Survey. A MĀKI operator launches the USV from the bank. The vessel autonomously follows the survey grid, collecting sonar depth data and RTK GPS positions across the full survey area. Survey duration depends on water body size — from a few hours for a single pond to multiple days for large lakes.
3. Processing. Raw sonar data is cleaned, filtered and georeferenced. Depth measurements are interpolated into a continuous surface model. Volume calculations compare current conditions against a reference surface.
4. Report. You receive a PDF report, georeferenced depth map, contour lines, cross-section profiles and GIS-compatible data files. Turnaround is typically 5–10 business days after the survey.
A bathymetric survey maps the underwater terrain of a water body using sonar to measure depth at many points across the survey area. The depth measurements are processed into detailed maps showing the shape of the bed, contour lines, cross-section profiles and volume calculations. MĀKI uses autonomous surface vessels (USVs) with sonar and RTK GPS to collect this data efficiently and accurately.
MĀKI can survey lakes and peat lakes, ponds and reservoirs, stormwater detention basins, wastewater treatment ponds, farm dams and irrigation ponds, harbours and coastal inlets, and rivers and canals. If it holds water and there is a need to understand the bed, MĀKI can survey it.
A MĀKI bathymetric survey delivers a georeferenced depth map, current versus design volume calculations, sediment volume estimates, contour lines at user-specified intervals, cross-section profiles, a 3D point cloud model, GIS-compatible data files, and a written report.
MĀKI uses RTK GPS for centimetre-level horizontal positioning combined with high-resolution sonar achieving depth accuracy of approximately ±5 cm in typical conditions. This is suitable for volume calculations, asset management reporting and compliance monitoring.
Autonomous USVs offer several advantages: they safely access shallow, confined or hazardous areas manned boats cannot enter; they eliminate risks from personnel on contaminated water; they follow precise programmed survey lines for consistent methodology and dense data coverage; and they are significantly lower cost to mobilise and operate than crewed survey vessels.
Yes. MĀKI is based in the Waikato and operates across New Zealand. We have completed bathymetric surveys for Waikato Regional Council, Ōtorohanga District Council and other clients across the North Island, and are available nationally.
Lakes Bathymetric Mapping for Waikato Regional Council — MĀKI's ongoing lake mapping programme for regional council asset management.
Ngaroto Lake Bathymetric & Side-Scan Survey — 3-day survey of a 108-hectare Waipa peat lake using an autonomous inflatable e-kayak with CHIRP MEGA SI sonar.
Advancements in Bathymetry Mapping for Efficient Settling Pond Management — how bathymetry is changing pond asset management.
Stormwater & Treatment Pond Surveys — dedicated landing page for pond and basin bathymetry.
Get in touch to discuss your project, receive a quote, or find out more about what a MĀKI bathymetric survey can tell you.
Get a quote View all services