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Mapping the Lakebed of Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary

Over two weeks in May 2019, Ocean Exploration Trust collaborated with Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary and University of New Hampshire's Center for Coastal and Ocean Mapping (UNH-CCOM) to conduct lakebed mapping within newly expanded boundaries of this 4,300 square mile sanctuary in Lake Huron. The team pioneered long-range, shore-based lakebed survey operations for UNH-CCOM's ASV BEN (Bathymetric Explorer and Navigator), in conjunction with mapping efforts by NOAA Office of Coast Survey and the National Center for Coastal and Ocean Science representatives aboard the NOAA Research Vessel Storm.

Click through to learn more about the tools and technologies used by the team during this expedition, and how collected data will aid in identifying the location of underwater archeological sites, seafloor or lakebed characterization, habitat mapping, and nautical charting. 

Learn more about this expedition