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Bathymetric Surveys of Morse and Geist Reservoirs in Central Indiana made with a Multibeam Echosounder, 2016, and Comparison with Previous Surveys

Scientific Investigations Report 2020-5067
Prepared in cooperation with Citizens Energy Group
By:  and 
https://doi.org/10.3133/sir20205067

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Abstract

The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with Citizens Energy Group, conducted a bathymetric survey of Morse and Geist Reservoirs in central Indiana in April and May of 2016 with a multibeam echosounder. Both reservoirs serve as water supply, flood control, and recreational resources for the city of Indianapolis and the surrounding communities.

Morse and Geist Reservoirs were surveyed to create updated bathymetric maps, determine storage capacities (volume) at specified water-surface elevations, and compare current conditions to historical surveys. Bathymetric data were collected using a high-resolution multibeam echosounder, and supplemental data were collected in coves and other shallow areas using an acoustic Doppler current profiler. The data were processed and combined using HYPACK and ArcMap software to develop a triangulated irregular network, a 5-foot gridded bathymetric dataset, a reservoir capacity table, and a bathymetric contour map for each reservoir.

The computed volume of Morse Reservoir was 23,136 acre-feet (7.54 billion gallons) with a surface area of 1,439 acres (62.7 million square feet). The computed volume of Geist Reservoir was 21,146 acre-feet (6.89 billion gallons) with a surface area of 1,853 acres (80.7 million square feet).

Between 1996 and 2016, lake bottom elevations have increased by a mean of 0.32 feet in Morse Reservoir and 0.27 feet in Geist Reservoir. The data indicate higher sedimentation rates in the upper parts of each reservoir as compared to near the dam and higher sedimentation rates in Morse Reservoir (0.5 inch per year) than in Geist Reservoir (0.2 inch per year). The differences between the current and historical surveys may be due to sedimentation, differences in accuracy between previous surveys, or a combination of both.

Suggested Citation

Boldt, J.A., and Martin, Z.W., 2020, Bathymetric surveys of Morse and Geist Reservoirs in central Indiana made with a multibeam echosounder, 2016, and comparison with previous surveys: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2020–5067, 39 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/sir20205067.

ISSN: 2328-0328 (online)

Study Area

Table of Contents

  • Acknowledgments
  • Abstract
  • Introduction
  • Methods and Data Collection
  • Bathymetric Survey Results for Morse and Geist Reservoirs
  • Comparison with Previous Surveys
  • Discussion of Comparison Methods
  • Summary
  • References Cited
Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Bathymetric surveys of Morse and Geist Reservoirs in central Indiana made with a multibeam echosounder, 2016, and comparison with previous surveys
Series title Scientific Investigations Report
Series number 2020-5067
DOI 10.3133/sir20205067
Year Published 2020
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Publisher location Reston, VA
Contributing office(s) Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Water Science Center
Description Report: viii, 39 p.; Data Release; Additional Reports
Country United States
State Indiana
County Hamilton County, Marion County
Online Only (Y/N) Y
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
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