Course

Hydrographic Surveying: Single Beam Echo Sounder

Time limit: 90 days
1 credit
Instructor: Jim Naismith

$50 Enroll

Full course description

 

CONRAD BLUCHER INSTITUTE FOR SURVEYING AND SCIENCE

Hydrographic Surveying: Single Beam Echo Sounder

1.0
PDH Credit
90
Days Access
80%
Passing Score
2
Modules
Online
Self-Paced

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Course Overview

Water covers more than 70% of the Earth's surface, yet much of it remains unmapped at the precision required for safe navigation, infrastructure design, and resource management. For geospatial professionals, understanding how depth is measured beneath the water surface is an increasingly essential skill and the single beam echo sounder is where that knowledge begins.

This course introduces the fundamentals of single beam echo sounders in hydrographic surveying, with practical context drawn from real survey operations. Developed in partnership with the Conrad Blucher Institute for Surveying and Science and taught by Jim Naismith, RPLS, LSLS  the course grounds every concept in professional field practice.

You will explore the physics of sound in water, the sonar equation, sound velocity management, transducer beam geometry, and a practical comparison of single beam and multibeam data outputs. Throughout, the course emphasizes the critical decisions surveyors must make in the field and the important differences between survey-grade equipment and consumer-grade alternatives.

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Professional Benefits

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Credit applicable toward professional surveyor continuing education requirements

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Expert instruction from an active hydrographic surveyor and licensed professional

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Foundation for advancing into multibeam echo sounder technology

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Practical field context grounded in real hydrographic survey operations

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Learning Outcomes

By completing this course, participants will be able to:

1

Explain how a single beam echo sounder measures water depth using acoustic pulses and the principles of SONAR, including the depth formula D = (c × t) ÷ 2.

2

Describe the components of the sonar equation and how signal-to-noise ratio affects the echo sounder's ability to identify the seafloor versus other targets in the water column.

3

Identify the sources and magnitude of depth error introduced by incorrect sound velocity values, including how errors scale with depth and the practical difference between fresh and salt water conditions.

4

Distinguish between narrow and wide beam transducers and explain how beam geometry, side lobes, footprint growth with depth, and vessel motion affect data accuracy.

5

Compare single beam and multibeam echo sounder data outputs and identify appropriate applications for each technology based on project requirements.

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Module Breakdown

MODULE 1

Echo Sounders and the Physics of Sound

  • What bathymetry is and why it matters
  • How the echo sounder transmits and receives the ping; the depth formula D = (c × t) ÷ 2
  • How the ping differs from a land-based laser or EDM
  • Signal Excess & signal-to-noise ratio; sonar equation components (SL, TL, BS, NL, TA)
  • Distinguishing seafloor returns from fish and noise

MODULE 2

Sound Velocity, Beam Geometry, and Data Quality

  • How sound velocity varies with temperature, salinity & depth
  • Bar check vs. sound velocity profiler (SVP); depth error in fresh vs. salt water (up to 5.5 ft)
  • Why fish finders aren't survey-grade instruments
  • Main beam vs. side lobes; narrow (3–6°) vs. wide beam (15–25°+) geometry
  • Beam footprint growth with depth, surveying near docks/pilings, and heave, pitch & roll
  • Single beam vs. multibeam coverage, a real-world dredging case study, and choosing the right tool

Assessment: Course Quiz | 80% to pass | Unlimited attempts

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Target Audience

  • Registered Professional Land Surveyors (RPLS) and Licensed State Land Surveyors (LSLS)
  • Geospatial professionals expanding into marine survey work
  • Civil engineers involved in dredging or waterway projects
  • Anyone interested in geospatial science or coastal engineering
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Technical Requirements

  • High-speed internet connection
  • Modern web browser
  • Audio capability for video lectures
  • No software installation required
  • Optional: printer for supplementary materials

Note: This course awards 1.0 PDH / 0.1 CEU credit. Participants are responsible for verifying acceptance of this course with their individual state licensing board. Course content is subject to updates at any time.

For registration assistance, contact Shelby Sharpe at shelby.sharpe@tamucc.edu

A Conrad Blucher Institute for Surveying and Science Professional Development Course ©