The bathymetric survey at the proposed survey area for pipeline launching in Quriyat IWP Power Plant was conducted by Nusail Engineering Consultancy, Sultanate of Oman. The survey was carried out to monitor and calculate the dredging quantity. Nusail Engineering Consultancy was awarded the contract for the Bathymetric Survey for the "Independent Water Project" in Al Ghubrah, Muscat, by Oman Power and Water Procurement Co. (SAOC).

Scope of the Survey

The scope of the survey included both bathymetric and seabed surveys. It aimed to provide a qualitative interpretation of the relevance from an environmental point of view, create a map of the situation of any existing protected species, and provide an overview of their density (low, medium, and high density). Accurate numbers of density were not necessary.

Equipments of the Study

• Odum Hydrotrac Echo Sounder
• Transducer
• Valeport Tide Gauge
• Sokkia RTK GPS
• Sokkia Total Station and Bar Plate
• Valeport Midas CTD+
• Video Ray Pro III XE GTO ROV System
• Water Sampler/Sediment Sampler

Bathymetry Survey Procedure

Nusail installed an automatic water level recorder during the bathymetric survey. The MKIII dual frequency echo sounder was utilized, with 210 & 33 kHz digital output logging by the navigation computer. CTDS dips and bar checks were conducted, with values entered directly into the echo sounder processor at the beginning of each day. Phase and speed settings ensured the best possible record unobstructed by the end of line information. The HydroPro software converted the antenna position into local UTM projection coordinates. Positions were entered into the navigation system and displayed on the helmsman’s display. During the survey operations, peripherals were also logged into the software.