2010 LiDAR Surveying

From the 1st March to 17th March, INFOMAR contracted Pelydryn to perform airborne Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) surveys in a series of shallow water bays and loughs on the West, Northwest and North coasts. This geophysical method involves the use of eye-safe laser technology to measure water depths. It is achieved by calculating the difference between laser returns from the sea surface and the seabed.

Based at Knock and Donegal airports, Pelydryn surveyed parts of Broadhaven Bay, Blacksod Bay and Achill Sound in the Northwest. Lough Foyle, Lough Swilly and Mulroy Bay in the North. Clifden Bay, Mannin Bay, Ballyconneely Bay, Bertraboy Bay and Kilkeran Bay were surveyed in Co. Galway. Datasets collected include both marine and terrestrial LiDAR as well as aerial photographs to facilitate seamless integration of both offshore LiDAR and acoustic datasets to onshore topographic surveys.

The aircraft used by Pelydryn during the LiDAR surveys taking off from Ireland West Airport Knock. The plane was grounded on several occasions during the survey period due to volcanic ash from the Eyjafjallajokull volcano in Iceland. Nevertheless, the survey was still successful in gathering a large amount of data in areas where acoustic surveying on a boat would be time consuming and have an increased risk attached.

Coverage of LiDAR surveys in Broadhaven Bay, Blacksod Bay, Achill Sound. Previous INFOMAR survey areas shown in hatched areas.

Coverage of LiDAR surveys in Clifden Bay, Mannin Bay, Ballyconneely Bay, Bertraboy Bay and Kilkeran Bay. Previous INFOMAR survey areas shown in hatched areas.

Coverage of LiDAR surveys in Lough Foyle, Lough Swilly and Mulroy Bay. Previous INFOMAR survey areas shown in hatched areas. The outer reaches of Mulroy Bay have also been previously surveyed using LiDAR.

All INFOMAR data is available for free download here.