Hydrographic Surveying

This manual establishes criteria and presents policy and guidance for performing hydrographic surveying in support of planning, engineering and design, construction, operation, maintenance, and regulation of civil works navigation and flood control projects. Procedural and quality control standards are defined to establish Corps-wide uniformity in construction contract administration, payment, and acceptance. This manual applies to all HQUSACE elements, major subordinate commands (MSC), districts, laboratories, and field operating activities which perform, contract, or monitor hydrographic surveys in support of civil works activities. Certain portions of this manual are also applicable to USACE functional areas having responsibility for marine design, construction, and investigation activities, such as dredge plant positioning and control, dredging or other marine construction contract administration, offshore geotechnical investigations, marine environmental investigations and studies, and coastal regulatory enforcement activities.
This manual may be referenced should hydrographic surveying functions be required as part of a USACE military construction or environmental restoration activity. It is also applicable to surveys performed or procured by local interest groups under various cooperative or cost-sharing agreements.