Bathymetry of Deadmans Lake, Golf Course Reservoir 9, Ice Lake, Kettle Lakes 1–3, and Non-Potable Reservoirs 1–4 at the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado, 2019

The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the U.S. Air Force Academy (USAFA), carried out bathymetric and topographic surveys to characterize the volume of Deadmans Lake, Golf Course Reservoir 9, Ice Lake, Kettle Lakes 1–3, and Non-Potable Reservoirs 1–4 at the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado. Bathymetric maps of each lake and reservoir are presented with figures of the elevation-volume curves. The bathymetric surveys were carried out from October 15, 2019, to December 12, 2019, using a manually operated, boat-mounted, single-beam echo sounder integrated with a Real-Time Kinematic Global Navigation Satellite Systems receiver. Topographic surveys were carried out during the same time period using Real-Time Kinematic Global Navigation Satellite System to collect elevation data at and above the water surface and up to the elevation of the dam or spillway at the time of the surveys. The topographic and bathymetric datasets were imported into Esri ArcMap 10.7.1. The combined survey points were then interpolated into digital elevation models, which were used to determine lake or reservoir volumes that correspond to water-surface elevations between the lakebed and the approximate top of the dam or spillway.

This report provides an updated characterization of storage capacity and improved understanding of present (2019) water capacity in the lakes and reservoirs at the USAFA. In addition, these surveys serve as a baseline that could be compared with future surveys of the lakes and reservoirs. The differences in these and future surveys could then be used to determine sedimentation infill rates and provide estimates of the lifespan of the lakes and reservoirs.