These data were collected by the SHOALS (Scanning Hydrographic Operational Airborne Lidar Survey) system which consists of an airborne laser transmitter/receiver capable of measuring 400 soundings per second. The system operates from a deHavilland DHC-6 Twin Otter flying at altitudes between 200 and 400 meters with a ground speed of about 100 knots. The SHOALS system also includes a ground-based data processing system for calculating acurate horizontal position and water depth. Lidar is an acronym for LIght Detection And Ranging. The system operates by emitting a pulse of light that travels from an airborne platform to the water surface where a small portion of the laser energy is backscattered to the airborne receiver. The remaining energy at the water's surface propogates through the water column and reflects off the sea bottom and back to the airborne detector. The time difference between the surface return and the bottom return corresponds to water depth. The maximum depth the system is able to sense is related to the complex interaction of radiance of bottom material, incident sun angle and intensity, and the type and quantity of organics or sediments in the water column. As a rule-of-thumb, the SHOALS system should be capable of sensing bottom to depths equal to two or three times the Secchi depth.

In 2002 and 2003, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center (WHCMSC), in cooperation with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), conducted three exploration cruises (USGS Cruise 02051, NOAA RB0208, September 24 to 30, 2002; USGS Cruise 03008, NOAA RB0303, February 18 to March 7, 2003 and USGS Cruise 03032, NOAA RB0305, August 28 to September 4, 2003). These cruises mapped for the first time the morphology of this entire tectonic plate boundary stretching from the Dominican Republic in the west to the Lesser Antilles in the east, a distance of approximately 700 kilometers (430 miles). Observations from these three exploration cruises, coupled with computer modeling and published Global Positioning System (GPS) results and earthquake focal mechanisms have provided new information that is changing the evaluation of the seismic and tsunami hazard from this plate boundary. The observations collected during these cruises also contributed to the basic understanding of the mechanisms that govern plate tectonics, in this case, the creation of the island of Puerto Rico and the deep trench north of it. Results of the sea floor mapping have been an important component of the study of tsunami and earthquake hazards to the northeastern Caribbean and the U.S. Atlantic coast off the United States. For additional information on the cruises see: http://woodshole.er.usgs.gov/operations/ia/public_ds_info.php?fa=2002-051-FA http://woodshole.er.usgs.gov/operations/ia/public_ds_info.php?fa=2002-051-FA http://woodshole.er.usgs.gov/operations/ia/public_ds_info.php?fa=2002-051-FA

In 2002 and 2003, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center (WHCMSC), in cooperation with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), conducted three exploration cruises (USGS Cruise 02051, NOAA RB0208, September 24 to 30, 2002; USGS Cruise 03008, NOAA RB0303, February 18 to March 7, 2003 and USGS Cruise 03032, NOAA RB0305, August 28 to September 4, 2003). These cruises mapped for the first time the morphology of this entire tectonic plate boundary stretching from the Dominican Republic in the west to the Lesser Antilles in the east, a distance of approximately 700 kilometers (430 miles). Observations from these three exploration cruises, coupled with computer modeling and published Global Positioning System (GPS) results and earthquake focal mechanisms have provided new information that is changing the evaluation of the seismic and tsunami hazard from this plate boundary. The observations collected during these cruises also contributed to the basic understanding of the mechanisms that govern plate tectonics, in this case, the creation of the island of Puerto Rico and the deep trench north of it. Results of the sea floor mapping have been an important component of the study of tsunami and earthquake hazards to the northeastern Caribbean and the U.S. Atlantic coast off the United States. For additional information on the cruises see: http://woodshole.er.usgs.gov/operations/ia/public_ds_info.php?fa=2002-051-FA http://woodshole.er.usgs.gov/operations/ia/public_ds_info.php?fa=2002-051-FA http://woodshole.er.usgs.gov/operations/ia/public_ds_info.php?fa=2002-051-FA

Metadata for this geodatabase describe datasets included in the bathymetric study completed for Lago Patillas in August 2019. The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority, carried out a bathymetric survey to update stage-volume table for Lago Patillas and to generate a bathymetric map. Water-depth data were collected using a bathymetric data collection system coupling a digital depth sounder (single-beam fathometer) and a high-quality antenna. Raw water-depth data collected in August 2019 were referenced to the water-surface elevation at the time of the reservoir survey and were merged with light detection and ranging (lidar) cloud data collected in 2016–17. The dataset included in this geodatabase consists of the following: (1) data points (XYZ) collected in the 2019 bathymetric survey through a fathometer and graduated hand-held rod measurements; (2) 2016–17 lidar-cloud data; (3) boundary of Lago Patillas at an elevation of 67.55 meters above the Puerto Rico Vertical Datum of 2002; (4) a digital terrain model created from data stored in the geodatabase; and, (5) a stage-volume table calculated at 1.0-meter stage intervals from the terrain model.

Metadata for this geodatabase describe datasets included in the bathymetric study completed for Lago Patillas in August 2019. The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority, carried out a bathymetric survey to update stage-volume table for Lago Patillas and to generate a bathymetric map. Water-depth data were collected using a bathymetric data collection system coupling a digital depth sounder (single-beam fathometer) and a high-quality antenna. Raw water-depth data collected in August 2019 were referenced to the water-surface elevation at the time of the reservoir survey and were merged with light detection and ranging (lidar) cloud data collected in 2016–17. The dataset included in this geodatabase consists of the following: (1) data points (XYZ) collected in the 2019 bathymetric survey through a fathometer and graduated hand-held rod measurements; (2) 2016–17 lidar-cloud data; (3) boundary of Lago Patillas at an elevation of 67.55 meters above the Puerto Rico Vertical Datum of 2002; (4) a digital terrain model created from data stored in the geodatabase; and, (5) a stage-volume table calculated at 1.0-meter stage intervals from the terrain model.

This GeoTiff is a bathymetry model of the seafloor of Northeast Puerto Rico that contains the shallow water area (0-35m deep) of the Northeast Ecological Reserve: including the waters off of Fajardo and Luqillo, to the Former Roosevelt Roads Navy Base, the Vieques Sound, La Cordillera Reserve, the Luis Pena Reserve, and the waters around Culebra Island. The bathymetry model was created by integrating soundings from several different sources (1900-2013), including high resolution coastal LiDAR, NOAA Single-beam and multibeam bathymetry, and historical lead line soundings. In order to combine the many different data sources and densities, the model consists of three different resolutions (4m, 20m and 100m). In addition to the depth model, a depth uncertainty layer was also produced. The bathymetry model is the basis for the benthic habitat map which was produced by remote sensing analysis tools that delineated the habitats using a semi-automated classification process.

This data release contains spatial data associated with the bathymetric survey and sedimentation analysis of Lago Carite in January 2018. During January 23–30, 2018, the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority, conducted a bathymetric survey of Lago Carite primarily to update estimates of the contemporary reservoir storage capacity and sedimentation rate. Previously designated transect lines were surveyed by using a depth sounder coupled to a differential geographic positioning system to generate a bottom contour map and, ultimately, the stage-storage relation for Lago Carite. This data release consisted of three items: bathymetric contours, water-depth data points and the shoreline of Lago Carite used for the analysis. A total of 137 planned transect lines were surveyed, and over 269,119 water-depth measurements were made across the reservoir. All water-depth data were collected using a Teledyne-Odom Echotrac CVM depth sounder coupled to a differential Global Positioning System (GPS). Esri ArcGIS, version 10.5 (reference similar to that in metadata for point shapefile), was used to edit the depth data and create a triangulated irregular network (TIN) model, from which bathymetric contours and a stage-volume relation were generated.

This data release contains spatial data associated with the bathymetric survey and sedimentation analysis of Lago Carite in January 2018. During January 23–30, 2018, the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority, conducted a bathymetric survey of Lago Carite primarily to update estimates of the contemporary reservoir storage capacity and sedimentation rate. Previously designated transect lines were surveyed by using a depth sounder coupled to a differential geographic positioning system to generate a bottom contour map and, ultimately, the stage-storage relation for Lago Carite. This data release consisted of three items: bathymetric contours, water-depth data points and the shoreline of Lago Carite used for the analysis. A total of 137 planned transect lines were surveyed, and over 269,119 water-depth measurements were made across the reservoir. All water-depth data were collected using a Teledyne-Odom Echotrac CVM depth sounder coupled to a differential Global Positioning System (GPS). Esri ArcGIS, version 10.5 (reference similar to that in metadata for point shapefile), was used to edit the depth data and create a triangulated irregular network (TIN) model, from which bathymetric contours and a stage-volume relation were generated.

This dataset consists of a shapefile of points corresponding to water depth collected for the bathymetric survey of Caño Boquerón, in Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico, conducted on August 21, 2015. The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Puerto Rico Environmental Quality Board, conducted a limnological study at Caño Boquerón, in Cabo Rojo to assess the principal mechanisms affecting the hydrology and water quality characteristics. The study characterized hydrologic and physical-chemical properties, sediment deposition rates, bathymetry, and biological conditions. The bathymetric survey system used for the study consisted of coupling a global positioning system (GPS) device with a water depth sounder. Established navigation lines were used to simultaneously collect the water depth and geographic location data using a bathymetric system. A bathymetric map was generated by transferring collected data into a geographic information system (GIS).

This dataset consists of a shapefile of points corresponding to water depth collected for the bathymetric survey of Caño Boquerón, in Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico, conducted on August 21, 2015. The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Puerto Rico Environmental Quality Board, conducted a limnological study at Caño Boquerón, in Cabo Rojo to assess the principal mechanisms affecting the hydrology and water quality characteristics. The study characterized hydrologic and physical-chemical properties, sediment deposition rates, bathymetry, and biological conditions. The bathymetric survey system used for the study consisted of coupling a global positioning system (GPS) device with a water depth sounder. Established navigation lines were used to simultaneously collect the water depth and geographic location data using a bathymetric system. A bathymetric map was generated by transferring collected data into a geographic information system (GIS).