ASTM D4581-86(1996)e1
(Guide)Standard Guide for Measurement of Morphologic Characteristics of Surface Water Bodies
Standard Guide for Measurement of Morphologic Characteristics of Surface Water Bodies
SCOPE
1.1 This guide describes the methods used for defining the morphologic characteristics of surface water bodies. This guide references manuals that provide various rationale and procedures necessary to conduct a morphologic survey.
1.2 The references were written for specific agency use and may not be applicable in all cases (1-6).
1.3 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as the standard. The SI units in parentheses are provided for information only.
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
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e1
Designation: D 4581 – 86 (Reapproved 1996)
AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR TESTING AND MATERIALS
100 Barr Harbor Dr., West Conshohocken, PA 19428
Reprinted from the Annual Book of ASTM Standards. Copyright ASTM
Standard Guide for
Measurement of Morphologic Characteristics of Surface
Water Bodies
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 4581; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
e NOTE—Keywords were added editorially in May 1996.
1. Scope surements and assembly of data into a standard format that
facilitates comparative analysis of water body morphology on
1.1 This guide describes the methods used for defining the
a national basis.
morphologic characteristics of surface water bodies. This guide
references manuals that provide various rationale and proce-
5. Significance and Use
dures necessary to conduct a morphologic survey.
1.2 The references were written for specific agency use and
5.1 No other standards presently exist for the survey of
may not be applicable in all cases (1–6).
water body morphologic characteristics. The techniques de-
1.3 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
scribed in the references represent the present state-of-art and
as the standard. The SI units in parentheses are provided for
contain sufficient information to inform geologists and engi-
information only.
neers of the kinds of information to be gathered and the
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
techniques to be used.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
5.2 The major categories of methodologies described in the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
references are: sounding, positioning, land surveys, sediment
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
properties, sediment sampling techniques, photogrammetric
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
methods, calculating volume and area, morphologic base data,
2. Referenced Documents weighted sediment dry weight, reservoir operations, equip-
ment, and reporting results.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
5.3 The references are intended as operational manuals and
D 1129 Terminology Relating to Water
do not describe experimental design.
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms used in this guide,
6. Procedure
refer to Terminology D 1129.
6.1 The references provide detailed information and proce-
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
dures as follows:
3.2.1 large water bodies—water areas large enough to
6.1.1 Field Investigations—Section 3, Chapter 7 of the SCS
require use of electronic horizontal positioning devices.
National Engineering Handbook describes field investigations
3.2.2 morphologic surveys—surveys made to determine
and survey techniques ((1)). Pages 1 to 31 specifically describe
shape, depth, and volume of water bodies; also density,
equipment, methods, notekeeping, computations, and reports
distribution, and volume of sediment and characteristics of
for small water bodies.
watersheds contributing to the water body.
6.1.2 Sedimentation Surveys—Specifications were prepared
3.2.3 small water bodies—water areas that can be surveyed
by the Soil Conservation Service to allow contracting for
using stretched cables or visual triangulation for horizontal
services to perform reservoir sedimentation surveys on small
positioning.
water bodies (2). These specifications are intended to meet
4. Summary of Guide
SCS needs and should be used by others only as a guide in
4.1 This standard provides guidance for conducting mea-
preparing their own material.
6.1.3 Methods for Water-Data Acquisition—Descriptions of
1 various techniques for measuring sediment are contained in
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D-19 on Water and is
Ref (3). The section on reservoir surveys provides guidance
the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D19.07 on Sediments, Geomorphology,
and Open-Channel Flow.
about the kinds of work to be done and features to be
Current edition approved April 25, 1986. Published November 1986.
considered. However, it is not intended as a detailed opera-
The boldface numbers in parentheses refer to the list of references at the end of
tional manual. The scope of small and large reservoirs is
this guide.
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 11.01. covered.
D 4581
6.1.4 Monitoring Reservoir Sedimentation—Detailed de- 7. Report
scriptions of most aspects of performing reservoir sedimenta-
7.1 All morphologic surveys should report their results in a
tion surveys that are applicable to small and large reservoirs are
format sufficient to include the necessary elements to describe
found in Ref (4). Main topics include base reservoir data,
where and when the survey was performed, what methods were
selection of surveying method, and hydrographic surveys.
used and how precisely they were applied, and what were the
6.1.5 Hydrographic Parameters in Large Sand-Bed
measured results. Appendix X1 contains a data summary form
Streams—Many techniques are described in varying detail
currently used by several U.S. See Figs. X1.1-X1.6 govern-
((5)). The techniques are suitable for reservoirs, lakes and
ment and state agencies. Appendix X2 is a list of additional
streams. The main topics are hydrographic investigation pro-
factors to be considered when reporting results.
grams, horizontal positioning equipment and techniques,
soundings, velocity measurements and suspended-sediment,
8. Precision
bedload and bed-material sampling.
8.1 The precision is a function of the conditions encoun-
6.1.6 Hydrographic Manual—Detailed description of pro-
tered and the measurement techniques used for each individual
cedures applicable to large water bodies is provided (6). Many
survey.
described techniques, such as echo sounding, are applicable to
small water bodies. The manual is divided into three major
9. Keywords
elements: hydrographic field operations, final data processing,
9.1 bathymetric survey; reservoir sediment; reservoir sur-
and appendices. Detailed information is provided on equip-
ment, instruments, and special survey techniques. vey; sedimentation
APPENDIXES
(Nonmandatory Information)
X1. SUBCOMMITTEE ON SEDIMENTATION (ICWR) INSTRUCTIONS FOR COMPILING
THE RESERVOIR SEDIMENT DATA SUMMARY FORM
X1.1 The following instructions were prepared by members every item be filled out for which data are obtainable. The
following instructions are based on the instructions issued by
of the Subcommittee as a guide for use in the completion of
the Subcommittee on Sedimentation in 1961 but are revised to
Reservoir Sediment Data Summary forms. The purpose of the
apply to the new summary form.
summary form is to provide for the uniform compilation and
dissemination of pertinent basic data obtained from reservoir
X1.1.1 Figs. X1.1 and X1.2 provides a reservoir data
sedimentation surveys. A summary is desired for each reservoir
summary form. Figs. X1.3 and X1.4 is a reservoir data
on which one or more sedimentation surveys have been made.
summary form in SI units. Figs. X1.5 and X1.6 is an example
New summaries should be prepared when additional sedimen-
of a completed reservoir data summary form. A complete
tation surveys are made and should carry forward the results of
description of each item on the form is given in X1.3.
previous surveys, as indicated in the instructions. A typed copy
X1.2 General Notes:
of each new summary in condition suitable for offset printing
should be furnished for publication. After a summary is
X1.2.1 In all cases where data are estimated or assumed,
prepared it will be reproduced by the Subcommittee in suffi-
insert an asterisk, and show an asterisk with the word “as-
cient numbers to meet the needs of each agency represented on
sumed” at the bottom of the front page of the form.
the Subcommittee. This will permit each agency to maintain a
X1.2.2 Where other information is presented that needs
file of basic data prepared in a uniform manner suitable for
clarification, footnotes should be used and shown by numbers,
5 2
analysis and interpretation. The Subcommittee recognizes that
as , , etc. All footnotes are to be explained in the space
all items of data provided for on the summary will not be
provided under Item 47.
readily available for every reservoir. The early compilation and X1.2.3 All data should be shown to at least three significant
figures, if available, and if accuracy of the survey warrants.
dissemination of available data is preferable to postponement
until all items can be completed. However, it is important that However, it is common practice and permissible to show all
items of data to the nearest whole number, even though the
accuracy of the survey may not give significance to the last one
Prepared by the following agencies represented on the Subcommittee on
or two whole numbers. For example, for Item 14: 167 624,
Sedimentation Inter-Agency Committee on Water Resources: Department of Agri-
16 762, 1676, 168, 16.8, 1.68.
culture: Agricultural Research Service, Forest Service, Soil Conservation Service;
X1.2.4 Items 31, 32, 33, 37, 38, 40, 41—Where the sedi-
Department of Commerce: Bureau of Public Roads, Environmental Science
Services Administration; Department of Defense: Corps of Engineers, Naval
mentation survey of a multiple-purpose reservoir has covered
Oceanographic Office; Department of Health, Education and Welfare: Water
only the pool level of levels used for storage most of the year
Pollution Control Administration; Department of the Interior: Bureau of Mines,
(as irrigation, power, inactive) and has not covered the flood-
Bureau of Reclamation, Geological Survey; Federal Power Commission; and
Tennessee Valley Authority. control pool above such levels, the data should be shown for
D 4581
FIG. X1.1 Reservoir Sediment Data Summary Form, Inch-Pound Units
the pool levels surveyed. However, any data obtained concern- shown in the hydrologic atlas compiled under the auspices of
ing sedimentation in the controllable flood-control pool (not
the Subcommittee on Hydrology (ICWR), and the second is the
including surcharge storage) should be shown under the above
sheet reference number periodically supplied by the Subcom-
items with a footnote reference of explanation under Item 47.
mittee on Sedimentation when data are compiled for publica-
X1.2.5 Use continuation sheets when all data cannot be
tion. If the map number for the river basin in which the
placed on one sheet.
reservoir is located is available, it should be shown here. The
data sheet reference number will be supplied later by the
X1.3 Specific Items—Descriptions of the numbered items as
Subcommittee on Sedimentation.
they appear in Fig. X1.1, Fig. X1.3, and Fig. X1.5 are given as
X1.3.3 Item 1—The name of the person or the organization
follows:
that owns or operates the structure. If a federal or state
X1.3.1 Name of Reservoir:
government, give both the department and agency having
Give the official or most commonly used name. If the dam
supervision or control over the operation of the dam. (Abbre-
has another name, give it in parentheses, for example, Lake
viate as necessary.)
Mead (Hoover Dam).
X1.3.4 Item 2—If the reservoir is located on a small
X1.3.2 Data Sheet No.—The data sheet number is com-
posed of two parts. The first is the river basin map number as stream, the name of which is not known, list the stream as a
D 4581
FIG. X1.2 Reservoir Sediment Data Summary Form, Inch-Pound Units (Continued)
tributary of the next largest stream, for example, “Trib. of Rock X1.3.9 Item 7—Give the latitude and longitude of the dam
R.” in degrees and minutes (seconds, if known).
X1.3.5 Item 3—If the dam lies in two states, both states
X1.3.10 Item 8—The elevation of the top of the dam that is
should be listed. List first the state that is the location for dam
equal to the highest spillway elevation (Item 9) plus freeboard.
operation headquarters.
NOTE X1.1—In items 8, 9 and 21, if no actual sea level datum elevation
X1.3.6 Item 4—Give the location of the dam by section,
is available, an assumed elevation or local datum plane should be given
township, and range.
for these items wherever possible so that the height of the dam and the
X1.3.7 Item 5—Give the name of the nearest post office. If
spillway above stream bed can be determined. (Observe X1.2.1 under
space permits, help pinpoint the location of the dam by adding
General Notes.)
the distance in miles and the direction of the dam from the
nearest post office, such as Tulsa 2 SE. X1.3.11 Item 9—This is the elevation of the highest spill-
way. If the spillway is topped by movable gates, give the
X1.3.8 Item 6—Give the county in which the dam is
located. If the dam is in two counties, list first the county that elevation of the top of the gates in closed position, with an
is the location for dam operation headquarters, followed by a explanatory footnote in Item 47 “Remarks and References.”
hyphen and the name of the second county. (See X1.2.2 under General Notes.)
D 4581
FIG. X1.3 Reservoir Sediment Data Summary Form, SI Units
X1.3.12 Items 10 to 14—All data corresponding to storage X1.3.15 Item 10d—This item refers to water supply for
allocations 10a to g refer to original storages in the reservoir, if municipal, industrial, domestic or livestock use, and fire
these data are available, or otherwise, to the first accurate protection.
capacities determined after the beginning of storage. Show X1.3.16 Item 10e—This item refers to storage space allo-
revisions of the initial storages if recent surveys yield more cated specifically for water used to irrigate agricultural land.
accurate data than the early surveys. X1.3.17 Item 10f—This item refers to storage allocated for
X1.3.13 Item 10a and b—These items designate the pur- regulation of low-water flow of streams, navigation pools,
pose of storage space allocation. Multiple-use storage space recharge of ground water, recreation, fish and wildlife, etc.
(Item 10b) is purposely varied, seasonally or alternately, as Specify with a footnote.
required to serve two or more purposes. Use a footnote to X1.3.18 Item 10g—This refers to storage below the lowest
explain the specific uses in Item 47. outlet in the dam that cannot be withdrawn for any consump-
X1.3.14 Item 10c—This item ordinarily refers to storage tive or beneficial use and is not genera
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