Abstract

Oblique aerial photograph looking north along the Chandeleur Islands, July 2013. Photograph by Karen Morgan, U.S. Geological Survey. [Click to enlarge]

As part of the Barrier Island Evolution Research Project, scientists from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center (SPCMSC) conducted nearshore geophysical surveys around the northern Chandeleur Islands, Louisiana, in July and August of 2013. The objective of the study is to better understand barrier-island geomorphic evolution, particularly storm-related depositional and erosional processes that shape the islands over annual to interannual timescales (1‒5 years). Collecting geophysical data will allow us to identify relationships between the geologic history of the island and its present day morphology and sediment distribution. This mapping effort was the third in a series of three planned surveys in this area. High resolution geophysical data collected in each of three consecutive years along this rapidly changing barrier island system will provide a unique time-series dataset that will significantly further the analyses and geomorphological interpretations of this and other coastal systems, improving our understanding of coastal response and evolution over short time scales (1‒5 years).

This data series includes the geophysical data that were collected during two cruises (USGS Field Activity Numbers (FAN) 13BIM02, 13BIM03, and 13BIM04, in July 2013; and FANs 13BIM07 and 13BIM08 in August 2013) aboard the R/V Sallenger, the R/V Jabba Jaw, and the R/V Shark along the northern portion of the Chandeleur Islands, Breton National Wildlife Refuge, Louisiana. Primary data were acquired with the following equipment: (1) a Systems Engineering and Assessment, Ltd., SWATHplus interferometric sonar (468 kilohertz [kHz]), (2) an EdgeTech 424 (424 kHz) chirp sub-bottom profiling system, and (3) two Teledyne Odom Hydrographic Systems, Incorporated, Echotrach CV100 single beam echosounders.

This data series report serves as an archive of processed interferometric swath and single-beam bathymetry data. Geographic information system data products include an interpolated digital elevation model, trackline maps, and point data files. Additional files include error analysis maps, Field Activity Collection System logs, and formal Federal Geographic Data Committee metadata.

Acknowledgments

Author contributions are as follows:

• Nancy T. DeWitt – Data processor of single-beam bathymetry platforms and data series write up.
• Jennifer L. Miselis – Principal Investigator.
• Jake J. Fredericks – Data processor of the interferometric bathymetry platform.
• Julie C. Bernier – Field acquisition, information specialist, and survey support.
• B. J. Reynolds – Field acquisition, navigation specialist, and survey support.
• Kyle W. Kelso – Field acquisition and survey support.
• Dave M. Thompson – Field acquisition and survey support.
• James G. Flocks – Field acquisition and survey support.
• Dana S. Wiese – Geophysical field acquisition and survey support.

The authors would like to thank the following:

• The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for their continued support and cooperation in this important research at the Breton Island National Wildlife Refuge, http://www.fws.gov/breton/.
• The Point Cadet Marina harbor masters and staff of the City of Biloxi, Miss., for the use of their facilities,
  http://www.biloxi.ms.us/residents/parks-recreation/maritime-harbors/.
• The captain and crew of the Southern VI, Point Cadet Marina, Biloxi, Miss., for their support of the July, 2013, research cruises.
• The captain and crew of the Pelican Fish Camp, Ocean Springs, Miss., for their support of the August, 2013, research cruises.
• Arnell Forde, Kara Doran, Tim Nelson, and Jolene Gittens of the U.S. Geological Survey for serving as metadata, peer reviewers, and web development respectively for this data series report.

Any reference to private organizations or commercial branding in this document does not constitute an official endorsement of that service or product.

Information Statement

This publication was prepared by an agency of the United States Government. Although these data were processed successfully on a computer system at the U.S. Geological Survey, no warranty expressed or implied is made regarding the display or utility of the data on any other system, or for general or scientific purposes, nor shall the act of distribution imply any such warranty. The U.S. Geological Survey shall not be held liable for improper or incorrect use of the data described and (or) contained herein. Reference herein to any specific commercial product, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise does not constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the United States Government or any agency thereof.

Suggested Citation

DeWitt, N.T., Miselis, J.L., Fredericks, J.J., Bernier, J.C., Reynolds, B.J., Kelso, K.W., Thompson, D.M., Flocks, J.G., and Wiese, D.S., 2017, Coastal bathymetry data collected in 2013 from the Chandeleur Islands, Louisiana: U.S. Geological Survey Data Series Report 1032, https://doi.org/10.3133/ds1032.

Contact

Nancy T. DeWitt
Geologist
U.S. Geological Survey
St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center
600 4th Street South
St. Petersburg, FL 33701
(727) 502-8000
ndewitt@usgs.gov