Mapping the Lakebed of Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary
Over two weeks in May 2019, Ocean Exploration Trust collaborated with Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary and University of New Hampshire's Center for Coastal and Ocean Mapping (UNH-CCOM) to conduct lakebed mapping within newly expanded boundaries of this 4,300 square mile sanctuary in Lake Huron. The team pioneered long-range, shore-based lakebed survey operations for UNH-CCOM's ASV BEN (Bathymetric Explorer and Navigator), in conjunction with mapping efforts by NOAA Office of Coast Survey and the National Center for Coastal and Ocean Science representatives aboard the NOAA Research Vessel Storm.
Click through to learn more about the tools and technologies used by the team during this expedition, and how collected data will aid in identifying the location of underwater archeological sites, seafloor or lakebed characterization, habitat mapping, and nautical charting.
Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary
Alongside the E/V Nautilus expedition season, Ocean Exploration Trust is collaborating on an expedition to explore inland waterways of the Great Lakes. This mission is focused on mapping unexplored, newly expanded areas of Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary (TBNMS) in Lake Huron, with a goal of discovering new shipwrecks and identifying shipwreck locations to support ongoing exploration and management.
