ASTM D5073-02 (R2021) pdf free download.Standard Practice for Depth Measurement of Surface Water.
The text specifies depth measuring terminology, describes measurement of depth by manual and electronic equipment, outlines specific uses of electronic sounders, and describes an electronic procedure for depth measurement other than
using sonar.
1 .2 The references cited and listed at the end of this practice contain information that may help in the design of a high quality measurement program.
1 .3 The information provided on depth measurement is descriptive in nature and not intended to endorse any particular item of manufactured equipment or procedure.
1.4 This practice pertains to depth measurement in quiescent or low-velocity flow. For depth measurement related to stream gauging. see Test Method D3858. For depth measurements related to reservoir surveys, sec Guide D4581.
1 S The values stated in inch-pound units arc to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical conversions to SI units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard.
7. Significance and Use
7.1 Prior to the development of acoustic sounding equipment, manual techniques provided the only means of depth measurement. Some circumstances may still require sounding by manual techniques such as shallow areas where depth is not sufficient for acoustic sounding. Manual procedures continue to serve several useful purposes such as the following:
7.1.1 To search tbr and confirm the minimum depths over shallow area of sunken obstacles.
7.1.2 To confirm bottom soundings in areas with submerged vegetation, or other soft bottom materials.
7.1.3 To assist in obtaining bottom samples.
7.1 .4 To calibrate electronic sounding equipment.
7.1.5 To suspend other measuring instruments to known depths for making various physical or chemical water quality measurements (2).
8. Sounding Rod (Manual Procedure)
8.1 The sounding rod (or sounding pole) can be used to measure depth over extensive flat, shallow areas more easily and more accurately than by other means. Use of the sounding rod should be restricted to still water or where the velocity is relatively low, and to depths less than 12 ft (3.7 m). Sounding rods are usually not used in depths over 6 ft (1.8 rn) except to provide supplemental soundings to aid in interpreting analog depth records. A weighted, flat shoe (see Fig. I) should be attached to the bottom of the rod to prevent it from penetration of the bottom sediments. The rod may be graduated in feet and tenths of a foot; zero being at the bottom of the shoe (3).
8.2 Modern sounding rods may be made of light-weight metals for strength. neutral buoyancy, and sound transmitting capability. An experienced operator can measure the water depth and can distinguish the relative firmness of the bottom material by the feel of the rod and the tone produced by the metal pole as it contacts the bottom (4).
.3 When sounding in still water the operator should lower the rod into the water until the bottom plate makes contact with the bottom surface. After determining that a firm bottom material has been encountered, the water surface level is visually read on the rod. When sounding in flowing water, to achieve vertical sounding, a long wire or cable anchored upstream and attached to the lower end of the rod may be necessary.ASTM D5073 pdf download.