Bathymetric survey and sedimentation analysis of Lago Carite, Puerto Rico, January 2018

During January 23–30, 2018, the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority, conducted a bathymetric survey of Lago Carite primarily to update estimates of the contemporary reservoir storage capacity and sedimentation rate. Previously designated transect lines were surveyed by using a depth sounder coupled to a differential Global Positioning System to generate a bottom contour map and, ultimately, the stage-storage relation for Lago Carite. Survey results indicated that the storage capacity was 10.0 million cubic meters in 2018; no substantial sedimentation has occurred since the last survey in 1999 and the annual capacity loss is about 0.20 percent of the original reservoir capacity. The useful life of Lago Carite is projected to be 397 years, ending in 2415.