How does drone bathymetric survey work?

We use drone-deployed sonar for deeper or turbid water and green-laser bathymetric LiDAR for clear shallow water — no boat or dive crew.

Why use a drone instead of a survey boat?

It removes the cost, mobilization, and safety risk of vessels and divers, and speeds up repeat monitoring.

Do you travel for bathymetric projects?

Yes — based in West Fargo, ND, we mobilize across the United States.

What areas does Northern Drone operate in?

Northern Drone LLC operates across the United States with full mobile deployment capability. We travel to your site regardless of location. Based in West Fargo, ND, we regularly serve clients in North Dakota, Minnesota, South Dakota, Montana, and throughout the Midwest and Great Plains.

Is Northern Drone FAA certified?

Yes. All Northern Drone pilots hold FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificates and we carry commercial aviation liability insurance on every mission. We are capable of obtaining FAA Certificates of Authorization (COAs) for operations in controlled or restricted airspace.

How accurate is drone LiDAR survey?

Northern Drone's LiDAR systems achieve ±2–5cm vertical accuracy with RTK/PPK correction under standard survey conditions, meeting ASPRS Positional Accuracy Standards for engineering-grade work.

How long does it take to get data after a drone survey?

Standard turnaround is 72 hours or less from survey completion. Rush processing delivers within 36 hours for time-critical projects. Large complex datasets may extend to 5 days — always confirmed upfront before the project begins.

Can you survey flooded quarry pits?

Yes. Northern Drone uses sonar-equipped drone and USV platforms to map flooded quarry pits with ±2cm depth accuracy. We deliver color-coded depth maps, cross-section profiles, sediment layer analysis, and volume calculations — with zero personnel required in the water.

What file formats does Northern Drone deliver?

We match deliverable formats to your workflow. Common outputs include LAS/LAZ point clouds, GeoTIFF rasters, SHP/KMZ/DXF for GIS and CAD, CSV coordinate exports, PDF inspection reports, and orthomosaic imagery. Tell us what platform you use and we'll format accordingly.

DRONE BATHYMETRIC SURVEY

Drone Bathymetric Surveys — Map the Bottom Without a Boat

Map lake beds, ponds, channels, and reservoirs using drone-deployed sonar and green-laser bathymetry — no survey vessel, no dive crew. Based in West Fargo, ND, mobilizing nationwide.

Service 06

Bathymetric Surveys

Our sonar-equipped drone and USV platforms are built for flooded quarry pits, mine voids, retention ponds, and waterways — delivering exact pit geometry, water volumes, and sediment accumulation data critical for dewatering planning, reclamation permitting, and extraction decisions. No dive crew, no boat, no operational downtime.

SonarSingle & multi-beam

Min. Depth0.1 m (very shallow)

OutputsDepth charts, DEM, volumes

StandardsIHO S-44 compatible