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Bathymetric measurements of rivers, although of great importance and interest, are problematic for several reasons. These include continual fluctuations in water level, shallow water areas, variations in river flow rates and currents, large woody debris, submersed and emergent vegetation, and many other considerations.
However, the small size and portability of the BioSonics DT-X digital scientific echosounder enables measurements to be made quickly and accurately from virtually any platform that can be floated on the river.
Other variables that can be assessed from the acoustic data collected for bathymetry may include: fish presence, absence, distribution, and bottom substrate classification including presence and measures of submersed aquatic vegetation.
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To assist in identifying potential lake sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens) habitat in the lower Bad River complex, we used a digital sonar system combined with a global positioning system to provide georeferenced data, and specialized sonar, bottom typing, GIS and statistical software to acoustically map bottom substrate types, locations and bathymetry. Ground truth data were developed from both petite Ponar bottom samples and associated acoustic data which were processed with bottom typing software. These data were used to produce substrate models in statistical software with a recursive partitioning method. Models were applied to survey data to classify it into substrate categories. Data were imported into GIS software to produce substrate maps. 
Watershed Sciences, Inc. (WS) collected Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) data for the Klamath Tribes over a seven day span in November, 2004. Conditions included leaf off and a normal fall low flow condition. The survey area encompassed the Sprague River, the lower Sycan River, and the lower reaches of the North and South Forks of the Sprague River. The study area was buffered by 500 meters to ensure complete coverage of important areas.
