OPR-K356-KR-24 Louisiana Approaches to Calcasieu David Evans and Associates H13972 4 36 NM South of Hackberry Beach Louisiana United States 20000 2024 Jonathan L. Dasler, PE, PLS, CH Navigable Area 2024-07-11 2024-08-06 2025-01-16 Multibeam Echo Sounder Multibeam Echo Sounder Backscatter Side Scan Sonar meters UTC Atlantic Hydrographic Branch Any revisions to the Descriptive Report (DR) applied during office processing are shown in red italic text. The DR is maintained as a field unit product, therefore all information and recommendations within this report are considered preliminary unless otherwise noted. The final disposition of survey data is represented in the NOAA nautical chart products. All pertinent records for this survey are archived at the National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) and can be retrieved via https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/. Products created during office processing were generated in NAD83 UTM 15N, MLLW. All references to other horizontal or vertical datums in this report are applicable to the processed hydrographic data provided by the field unit. CC0-1.0 (NOAA Contractors) CC0-1.0 https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/ https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/legalcode These data were produced under contract with NOAA and any potential copyright was assigned to NOAA. NOAA waives any potential copyright and related rights in these data worldwide through the Creative Commons Zero 1.0 Universal Public Domain Dedication (CC0). Contractor David Evans and Associates, Inc. (DEA) conducted a hydrographic survey of the assigned area in the waters offshore of Calcasieu Channel, LA. Survey H13972 was conducted in accordance with the Statement of Work and Hydrographic Survey Project Instructions dated July 11, 2024. The Hydrographic Survey Project Instructions reference the National Ocean Service (NOS) Hydrographic Survey Specifications and Deliverables Manual (HSSD) (March 2022) as the technical requirements for this project. 29.173949 93.201688 29.018715 93.016566 Survey limits were surveyed in accordance with the requirements in the Project Instructions and the HSSD. The assigned survey areas are outlined in Figure 1. OPR-K356-KR-24 Assigned Survey Areas file:///B:/OPR-K356-KR-24/Surveys/H13972/01_HDR/Reports/Descriptive_Report/SupportFiles/OPR-K356-KR-24_Survey_Area.png The purpose of this survey, defined in the Project Instructions, is as follows: "The waters offshore of Calcasieu Channel, Louisiana have been identified as an area in critical need of updated hydrographic data by NOAA's Hydrographic Health models and the Lake Charles Pilot's Association. The Port of Lake Charles is ranked fourteenth by tonnage for U.S. Ports(1), and the region is expected to see an expansion in marine commerce due in part to an increase in LNG distribution, as well as offshore wind-energy development. Since 2020, the Louisiana Coast has been hit by six hurricanes and two named tropical storms, several of which caused serious damage to the Ports of Lake Charles and Calcasieu. Many parts of the coverage area have not been charted since the 1930s. This survey will provide contemporary data to update National Ocean Service (NOS) nautical charting products and services, improving the safety of maritime traffic and services available to the Port of Lake Charles by reducing the current risk that is present due to outdated bathymetry. Survey data from this project is intended to supersede all prior survey data in the common area." (1) Bureau of Transportation Statistics, 2023 https://www.bts.gov/content/tonnage-top-50-us-water-ports-ranked-total-tons The entire survey is adequate to supersede previous data. All waters in survey area Complete Coverage (Refer to HSSD Section 5.2.2.3) Complete coverage using 100% side scan sonar coverage with concurrent multibeam echosounder (MBES) collection was obtained over the entire survey area. Backscatter was logged during all multibeam acquisition. This coverage type follows Option B of the Complete Coverage requirement specified in Section 5.2.2.3 of the 2022 HSSD. In all cases, the inshore limit of hydrography was the Navigable Area Limit Line (NALL) as defined in Section 1.3.2 of the HSSD; however, for this survey, the inshore limit was not encountered and the full extent of the assigned boundary was met. Survey coverage for feature disprovals followed the criteria set in the HSSD for determining radii size. The field unit manually generated disproval radii as the PRF lacked preassigned radii for all features. Figure 2 shows the H13972 survey outline in relation to the assigned survey area. H13972 Survey Outline file:///B:/OPR-K356-KR-24/Surveys/H13972/01_HDR/Reports/Descriptive_Report/SupportFiles/H13972_Outline.png S/V Blake 0.0 5.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 1193.21 0.0 67.02 0.0 0.0 5.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 1193.21 0.0 67.02 0.0 5.59 2 0 0 0 82.71 2024-08-06 2024-08-07 2024-08-08 2024-08-09 2024-08-10 2024-08-11 2024-08-12 2024-08-13 2024-08-14 2024-08-15 2024-08-16 2024-08-17 2024-08-21 2024-08-22 2024-09-14 2024-09-23 2024-12-15 2025-01-16 The OPR-K356-KR-24 Data Acquisition and Processing Report (DAPR), submitted with survey H13969, details equipment and vessel information as well as data acquisition and processing procedures. There were no vessel or equipment configurations used during data acquisition that deviated from those described in the DAPR. The S/V Blake is an 82-foot aluminum catamaran with a 27-foot beam and a draft of 4.5 feet (Figure 3). S/V Blake 82.0 4.5 S/V Blake file:///B:/OPR-K356-KR-24/Surveys/H13972/01_HDR/Reports/Descriptive_Report/SupportFiles/Figure1_OPR-K356-KR-24_Blake.jpg MBES Teledyne RESON SeaBat T50-R Positioning and Attitude System Applanix POS MV OceanMaster Sound Speed System AML Oceanographic MicroX SV Sound Speed System AML Oceanographic MVP30-350 SSS EdgeTech 4200 Multibeam crosslines were run across 5.59% of the entire survey area to provide a varied spatial and temporal distribution for analysis of internal consistency within the survey data. Crossline analysis was performed using the CARIS Hydrographic Information Processing System (HIPS) Quality Control (QC) Report tool, which compares crossline data to a gridded surface and reports results by beam number. Crosslines were compared to a 1-meter Combined Uncertainty and Bathymetry Estimator (CUBE) surface encompassing mainscheme, fill, and investigation data for the entire survey area. DEA performed an additional crossline analysis using the NOAA Pydro Compare Grids tool to analyze the differences between gridded mainscheme depths and gridded crossline depths. Input grids were 1-meter resolution CUBE surfaces of mainscheme and crossline depths. Results from the crossline-to-mainscheme difference analysis are depicted in Figure 4, with units represented in meters. H13972 Crossline Difference file:///B:/OPR-K356-KR-24/Surveys/H13972/01_HDR/Reports/Descriptive_Report/SupportFiles/H13972_MB_1m_MLLW_XL-H13972_MB_1m_MLLW_MS_depth_delta.png ERS via VDATUM 0.05 0.097 S/V Blake n/a 1.0 n/a 0.5 The datum separation (Zoning) uncertainty value of 0.097 meters, used to compute Total Propagated Uncertainty (TPU) listed in Table 7, corresponds to the uncertainty of a revised NAD83 to MLLW SEP file issued by NOAA on July 30, 2024 and does not match the model uncertainty listed in the Project Instructions. Related correspondence is included in Appendix II. The revised model resolved errors in the original model that were discovered by DEA and reported to NOAA. The OPR-K356-KR-24 DAPR includes more information on the model update. The S/V Blake used an AML MVP30-350 with integrated Micro SVP&T to acquire sound speed measurements. The measurement uncertainty for these sensors is listed in the Moving Vessel Profiler (MVP) column in Table 8. During surface finalization in HIPS, the "Uncertainty" option was selected, where the calculated uncertainty from TPU is compared to the standard deviation of the soundings influencing the node, and where the greater value is assigned as the final uncertainty of the node. The uncertainty of the finalized surface increased for nodes that had a standard deviation greater than TPU. Additional discussion of the parameters used to compute TPU is included in the DAPR. To determine if the surface grid nodes met the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) Order 1a specification, a ratio of the final node uncertainty to the allowable uncertainty at that depth was determined. As a percentage, this value represents the amount of error budget utilized by the Total Vertical Uncertainty (TVU) at each node. Values greater than 100% indicate nodes exceeding the allowable IHO uncertainty. The resulting calculated node uncertainty as a fraction of allowable IHO Order 1a TVU are shown in Figures 5 and 6. Node TVU Statistics - 1 meter, Finalized file:///B:/OPR-K356-KR-24/Surveys/H13972/01_HDR/Reports/Descriptive_Report/SupportFiles/H13972_MB_1m_MLLW_Final.GQv6.tvu_qc.png Node TVU Statistics - 2 meter, Finalized file:///B:/OPR-K356-KR-24/Surveys/H13972/01_HDR/Reports/Descriptive_Report/SupportFiles/H13972_MB_2m_MLLW_Final.GQv6.tvu_qc.png Survey H13972 junctions with current surveys H13970, H13971, H13973, H13974, and H13975 and prior survey H13646. Figure 7 depicts H13972 and the junctioning surveys. Survey Junctions with Registry Number H13972 file:///B:/OPR-K356-KR-24/Surveys/H13972/01_HDR/Reports/Descriptive_Report/SupportFiles/H13972_Junctions.png H13970 20000 2024 David Evans and Associates, Inc. N The mean difference between H13972 and H13970 is 1 centimeter (H13972 shoaler than H13970), shown in Figure 8. Distribution Summary Plot of Survey H13972 1-meter vs. H13970 1-meter file:///B:/OPR-K356-KR-24/Surveys/H13972/01_HDR/Reports/Descriptive_Report/SupportFiles/H13972_MB_1m_MLLW-H13970_MB_1m_MLLW_depth_delta.png H13971 20000 2024 David Evans and Associates, Inc. NE At the time of writing, data from survey H13971 was still being processed. The Descriptive Report (DR) for H13971 will include the junction analysis with H13972. H13973 20000 2024 David Evans and Associates, Inc. E At the time of writing, data from survey H13973 was still being processed. The DR for H13973 will include the junction analysis with H13972. H13974 40000 2024 David Evans and Associates, Inc. S At the time of writing, data from survey H13974 was still being processed. The DR for H13974 will include the junction analysis with H13972. H13975 40000 2024 David Evans and Associates, Inc. SE At the time of writing, data from survey H13975 was still being processed. The DR for H13975 will include the junction analysis with H13972. H13646 10000 2022 David Evans and Associates, Inc. W The mean difference between H13972 and H13646 is 2 centimeters (H13972 shoaler than H13646), shown in Figure 9. Distribution Summary Plot of Survey H13972 1-meter vs. H13646 1-meter file:///B:/OPR-K356-KR-24/Surveys/H13972/01_HDR/Reports/Descriptive_Report/SupportFiles/H13972_MB_1m_MLLW-H13646_MB_1m_MLLW_Final_depth_delta.png Quality control is discussed in detail in Section B of the DAPR. Multibeam data were reviewed at multiple levels of data processing, including CARIS HIPS conversion, subset editing, and analysis of anomalies revealed in CUBE surfaces. Side scan data were reviewed at multiple levels of data processing, including during the initial SonarWiz import and preliminary stages of bottom-tracking, navigation review, and contact identification. Data were also reviewed during the final stages of mosaic generation, data coverage and quality assessment, and contact correlation and attribution. None Exist There were no conditions or deficiencies that affected equipment operational effectiveness. None Exist There were no other factors that affected corrections to soundings. Approximately 45-minute intervals For H13972 survey operations, casts were distributed both temporally and spatially based on observed changes in sound speed profiles. Sound speed readings were applied in CARIS HIPS using the "nearest in distance within time" with a two-hour interval. Survey speeds were maintained to meet or exceed along-track sounding density requirements and side scan sonar ensonification requirements. Multibeam data and side scan mosaics were thoroughly reviewed for holidays and areas of poor-quality coverage due to biomass, vessel wakes, or other factors. Feature investigations were performed with multibeam sonar to obtain a least depth, meeting the survey’s coverage requirements. Survey coverage for feature disprovals was acquired inside disproval radii to meet the coverage requirement for the area. Additional discussion of coverage methods can be found in the DAPR. Abrupt contrast changes observed in the side scan sonar mosaics may be partially due to cable-out adjustments, made in anticipation of areas of bathymetric relief, or to prevent entanglement of the towfish with the MVP during sound speed casts. The resulting changes in towfish altitude partially affect the Empirical Gain Normalization of side scan data in SonarWiz and can have a noticeable effect on the final mosaic. Occasionally, during these brief intervals when the tow was shortened for operational safety concerns, the side scan towfish slightly exceeded the maximum allowed altitude requirement for 75-meter range. These data were more carefully scrutinized for contacts, and given the altitude waiver for the project, did not significantly affect our ability to discern contacts and meet feature detection requirements. Density The sounding density requirement of 95% of all nodes, populated with at least five soundings per node, was verified by analyzing the density layer of the finalized surface. Surface results are stated in Figures 10 and 11. Node Density Statistics - 1 meter, Finalized file:///B:/OPR-K356-KR-24/Surveys/H13972/01_HDR/Reports/Descriptive_Report/SupportFiles/H13972_MB_1m_MLLW_Final.GQv6.density.png Node Density Statistics - 2 meter, Finalized file:///B:/OPR-K356-KR-24/Surveys/H13972/01_HDR/Reports/Descriptive_Report/SupportFiles/H13972_MB_2m_MLLW_Final.GQv6.density.png Data reduction procedures for survey H13972 are detailed in the DAPR. All sounding systems were calibrated as detailed in the DAPR. Multibeam time series backscatter data (RESON 7058 normalized backscatter datagram) were logged in HYPACK 7K format and are included with the H13972 raw digital deliverables. Backscatter data were referenced to processed multibeam bathymetric data and processed in QPS FMGT. A 2-meter backscatter mosaic is included with the H13972 processed deliverables. A GSF export containing the final bathymetry and backscatter with edits retains the original file names of the raw data files but with the postfix "_merged." CARIS HIPS/SIPS 11.4.29 Chesapeake Technology SonarWiz 8.00.01 (64-bit) QPS FMGT 7.11.1 NOAA Profile Version 2024 A detailed listing of all data processing software is included in the OPR-K356-KR-24 DAPR. H13972_MB_1m_MLLW.csar CARIS Raster Surface (CUBE) 1 16.159 26.022 NOAA_1m Complete MBES H13972_MB_1m_MLLW_Final.csar Finalized CARIS Raster Surface (CUBE) 1 16.159 20.0 NOAA_1m Complete MBES H13972_MB_2m_MLLW.csar CARIS Raster Surface (CUBE) 2 16.176 25.965 NOAA_2m Complete MBES H13972_MB_2m_MLLW_Final.csar Finalized CARIS Raster Surface (CUBE) 2 18.0 25.896 NOAA_2m Complete MBES H13972_MBAB_2m_BL_400kHz_1of1.tiff MB Backscatter Mosaic 2 N/A Complete MBES H13972_SSSAB_1m_540kHz_1of2.tif SSS Mosaic 1 N/A 100% SSS H13972_SSSAB_1m_540kHz_2of2.tif SSS Mosaic 1 N/A 200% SSS Bathymetric grids were created relative to Mean Lower Low Water (MLLW) in CUBE format using Complete Coverage resolution requirements as specified in the HSSD. Grid resolution for the backscatter mosaic was determined by the HSSD frequency-dependent resolution requirement. A summary of the horizontal and vertical control for survey H13972 follows. Mean Lower Low Water ERS via VDATUM OPR-K356-KR-24_NAD83(2011)-MLLW.csar North American Datum 1983 (2011) Projected UTM 15 RTX The separation model listed in Table 13 was provided as an update on July 30, 2024, and used for sounding correction within the assigned survey area. Real-time navigation for all MBES survey lines were overwritten with post-processed navigation solutions in SBET format. Additional discussion on post-processing methods and survey control is included in the DAPR. The chart comparison was performed by comparing H13972 survey depths to a digital surface generated from the Band 3 electronic navigational chart (ENC) covering the survey area. A 60-meter product surface was generated from a triangular irregular network (TIN) created from the ENC’s soundings, depth contours, and depth features. An additional 60-meter HIPS product surface was generated from the survey's 1-meter CUBE surface. The chart comparison was conducted by creating and reviewing a difference surface using the ENC surface and survey surface as inputs. The chart comparison also included a review of all assigned charted features within the survey area. The results of the comparison are detailed below. The chart used during the comparison was reviewed to check that all United States Coast Guard (USCG) Local Notice to Mariners issued during survey acquisition, and impacting the survey area, were applied and addressed by this survey. The ENC used in the chart comparison is listed in Table 14. Figure 12 shows the magnitude of differences along the comparison area. Depth Difference between H13972 and Band 3 ENCs file:///B:/OPR-K356-KR-24/Surveys/H13972/01_HDR/Reports/Descriptive_Report/SupportFiles/H13972_US3_CC.png US3GC03M 350000 69 2024-11-26 2024-12-17 CA Tools flagged an area of shoaling in the northeast section of the survey area. Due to sparse charted soundings, the interpolated charted surface used for comparison is excessively deep-biased. As a result, CA Tools incorrectly identifies shoaling where none exists. When compared to the survey surface, the flagged area is charted reasonably well. All assigned features included in the project Composite Source File (CSF) have been addressed by the survey and are included in the FFF. All disproved features have been included in the FFF with a description of "Delete." All new features have been included in the FFF with the surveyed feature depicted and a description of "New." Contact heights included in the side scan contact .000 file have been sourced from the shadow height measurement obtained from SonarWiz. Due to the limitations in computing accurate heights from side scan shadow lengths, contact heights may not match heights from correlating contacts or feature heights measured from multibeam data included in the FFF. All uncharted features are portrayed in the FFF as surveyed and attributed with the description of "New." Refer to the FFF for additional information. No channels exist within the survey limits. The survey area junctions with the Calcasieu Pass Safety Fairway (33 CFR 166.200) to the west. The hydrographer recommends encoding the name of safety fairways in the ENCs. Safety fairways are included in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). No Aids to Navigation (ATONs) exist for this survey. No Maritime Boundary Points were assigned for this survey. Two bottom samples were acquired on September 23, 2024. The bottom sampling plan was developed to include different bottom types based on imagery observed in the side scan sonar and backscatter mosaics. No overhead features exist for this survey. Assigned submerged pipelines that are within the survey area are included in the FFF. 14 sections of exposed pipeline were reported to Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) on October 9, 2024. Correspondence related to this reporting is included in Appendix II. Surveyed and disproved platforms are addressed in the FFF. No ferry routes or terminals exist for this survey. No abnormal seafloor or environmental conditions exist for this survey. No construction or dredging activities were observed during survey operations. No new surveys or further investigations are recommended for this area. No new ENC scales are recommended for this area. As Chief of Party, field operations for this hydrographic survey were conducted under my direct supervision, with frequent personal checks of progress and adequacy. I have reviewed the attached survey data and reports. All field sheets, this Descriptive Report, and all accompanying records and data are approved. All records are forwarded for final review and processing to the Processing Branch. The survey data meets or exceeds requirements as set forth in the NOS Hydrographic Surveys and Specifications Deliverables, Field Procedures Manual, Letter Instructions, and all HSD Technical Directives. These data are adequate to supersede charted data in their common areas. This survey is complete and no additional work is required. Jonathan L. Dasler, PE, PLS, CH NSPS-THSOA Certified Hydrographer, Chief of Party 2025-03-17 Jason Creech, CH NSPS-THSOA Certified Hydrographer, Charting Manager / Project Manager 2025-03-17 James Guilford, CH(A) NSPS-THSOA Certified Hydrographer, Lead Hydrographer 2025-03-17 Jason Dorfman, CH NSPS-THSOA Certified Hydrographer, Lead Hydrographer 2025-03-17 Sam Werner Data Processing Manager 2025-03-17 Data Acquisition and Processing Report 2025-02-11 Coast Pilot Report 2025-02-25 Survey Outline 2024-11-08 Marine Mammal Observers 2025-02-13 NCEI Sound Speed Data 2025-02-13