Bathymetry Classification
Bathymetric LiDAR is a different processing problem from topographic. Green-wavelength returns need refraction correction at the air-water interface, water column effects attenuate signal with depth and turbidity, and the water surface itself has to be modelled before anything beneath it can be positioned correctly.
We process topobathymetric data through that full chain — water surface modelling, refraction correction, water column and multipath noise removal, seabed and riverbed classification, and depth-dependent confidence assessment. Where returns become unreliable, the data is flagged rather than presented with false confidence.
The output is a seamless surface across the land-water boundary, which is the whole reason for using topobathymetric LiDAR: coastal modelling, flood studies and habitat mapping all break down at the seam between separately acquired topographic and hydrographic datasets.
What you receive
Every item below is issued in your own template, with your layer conventions, title block and revision scheme.
- Classified topobathymetric cloud — bathymetric bottom, water surface, water column, topographic classes
- Water surface model with tidal or stage reduction applied
- Refraction-corrected submerged returns
- Water column and multipath noise removal
- Seamless topobathymetric surface across the land-water interface
- Depth-dependent confidence and maximum reliable depth assessment
- Bathymetric contours and depth-banded raster
- Shoreline and waterline delineation at the specified datum
- Volume computation for dredging, scour or sediment studies
Production detail
| Typical turnaround | 3–8 weeks by area and complexity |
|---|---|
| Sensors handled | Green-wavelength topobathymetric airborne LiDAR |
| Depth capability | Sensor and turbidity dependent; typically to 1.5–2× Secchi depth |
| Vertical datums | Chart datum, LAT, MSL, ellipsoidal, local — transformed and documented |
| Refraction correction | Applied through a modelled water surface |
| Output formats | LAS / LAZ, GeoTIFF, BAG, SHP, DWG, XYZ |
| Revisions | Two rounds included |
Software and formats
We work in your toolchain. If something you use is not listed, ask — the list below is only what we use most.
Frequently asked
Send one bathymetry classification job and see how we work
Scope, price and programme come back in writing before anything starts. Most first projects are a single deliverable so you can judge us on output, not on a pitch.