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Current Velocity Measurements

OSI maintains a large inventory of Teledyne RD Instruments Acoustic Doppler Current Profilers (ADCPs) and Sontek Acoustic Doppler Velocimeters (ADVs) for Eulerian type current measurements. Our inventory of acoustic current meters spans a broad range of frequencies (300 kHz to 5,000 kHz) which affords considerable flexibility in velocity profiling capabilities down to depths of 126m (413 ft). Instrumentation can be deployed, in situ on surface or bottom moorings for long-term deployment applications, or mounted on the side of a survey vessel for cross-sectional current profile measurements. OSI frequently conducts vessel-mounted ADCP (VMADCP) surveys to evaluate tidal current variability of a project site, river discharge measurements, diagnose potential scour areas, and monitor acoustic backscatter levels for suspended sediment (see Turbidity Monitoring).

Representative Projects


Hydraulic Study: Barnegat Inlet, New Jersey

Hydraulic Study: Barnegat Inlet, New Jersey

Ocean Surveys completed a series of cross-inlet current velocity transects throughout a 25-hour spring tidal cycle along with in-situ wave, current, and water level measurements both inside and outside of the inlet over a period of 30 days to document ...
Ocean Outfall Fig. 2

Ocean Outfall Monitoring: Ponce, Puerto Rico

Ocean Surveys provided water quality monitoring services at an ocean outfall monitoring site to support a 301(h) Waiver and Mixing Zone Validation Study offshore Ponce, Puerto Rico. OSI field teams conducted 11 quarterly surveys at the Ponce effluent outfall.  Services ...
Power Generation and Distribution: Puerto Cortes, Honduras

Power Generation and Distribution: Puerto Cortes, Honduras

Ocean Surveys performed a multi-disciplined marine investigation including hydrographic, geophysical, oceanographic, meteorological and biological studies in the waters off Puerto Cortes in the Gulf of Honduras. This investigation was conducted to collect scientific data in support of the design of ...
Submarine Outfall Placement: Offshore of Sosua, Dominican Republic

Submarine Outfall Placement: Offshore of Sosua, Dominican Republic

Ocean Surveys conducted an oceanographic and geophysical data collection program in near shore waters off of Sosua, Dominican Republic, to support a joint project between the Dominican government and the World Bank. The project required a detailed investigation of the ...
Thermal Discharge Plume Characterization: Oswego, New York

Thermal Discharge Plume Characterization: Oswego, New York

Ocean Surveys performed a detailed field investigation of the combined thermal discharge plume of Nine Mile Point Nuclear Station (NMPNS) on Lake Ontario in Oswego, New York. The data supported numerical modeling efforts as part of an environmental evaluation for ...
Water Circulation: Bridgeport, Connecticut

Water Circulation: Bridgeport, Connecticut

Ocean Surveys conducted two surveys at the Bridgeport Energy Power Generation Station. First, OSI conducted a detailed field investigation of the discharge plume to determine the location and extent of the thermal plume discharge into Bridgeport Harbor.Currents, water elevation, and ...