Topic outline

  • Accuracy Standards for Federal Navigation Projects

    Credits: 1 PDH

    PDH Course Description:

    This course provides recommended accuracy standards for hydrographic surveys of federal navigation projects. It describes the Performance Test procedures and Total Propagated Uncertainty methods that are recommended to estimate and report the accuracy of observed depths on navigation projects; in particular, on evaluating the quality of contracted construction dredging clearance and payment surveys. These standards are intended to provide uniformity in specifying and reporting accuracies of surveys performed on navigation and other civil works water control projects.

    The procedural and accuracy standards recommended in this course are designed to reflect current survey positioning methods, acoustic instrumentation systems, calibration practices, and typical bottom conditions encountered at average navigation projects. However,  it must be recognized that no single accuracy standard will be applicable to every civil works project; therefore, surveyors and engineers should tailor their survey procedures and required accuracies to each specific project. For example, more stringent accuracy requirements should be established for a deepdraft coastal entrance project with tidal influence than those needed for a shallow-draft inland navigation project, or a reservoir sedimentation survey. Likewise, more stringent requirements are typically needed for new work construction in a rock-cut navigation project with a high cost per cubic yard payment rate than for subsequent maintenance dredging of soft material. Underwater scour surveys adjacent to locks, dams, bridges, and hydropower projects will require the most demanding accuracy standards.

    Topics:

    • Use of standards
    • Quality Assurance Performance Tests
    • Recommended Depth Accuracy Standards for Engineering, Construction Surveys
    • Horizontal Accuracy Standards
    • IHO Standards for Hydrographic Surveys

    To take this course:

    1.) Enroll in Course: Click below to enroll:
    (must be logged into your user account)


    2.) Study: Once enrolled, click below to begin the course:

    Download the Study Guide

    3.) Test: Once you've thoroughly read the course materials, please click below to take the final examination.

    Take the final exam

    4.) Certificate: A passing grade of 70% or higher on the exam, is required to receive the certificate of completion for this PDH course.
         NOTE: After the exam is completed, you will need to return to this page, in order to print (download) the certificate of completion.

    Print the Certificate of Completion

    Intended Audience: This course is intended for surveying and engineering professionals whose job description may require an intermediate knowledge of hydrographic surveys. 
    Publication Source: USACE (Corp of Engineers)

    Donald Parnell, PE

    • Topic 1