Thu, Jul 09, 2015
Bureau Of Reclamation Will Work With New Mexico State University For Unmanned Aircraft System Inspection Of Elephant Butte Dam
For the first time, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation will use a UAV for a dam inspection.
The agency has selected New Mexico State University to be the lead subject matter expert and perform the first Reclamation dam inspection using an unmanned aircraft system. This aeronautical research project will occur at Elephant Butte Dam in New Mexico. Reclamation is providing New Mexico State $35,000 to assist in the project.
New Mexico State University will work with Reclamation staff to develop the concept of operations, address safety requirements, select the unmanned aircraft system and appropriate sensors, validate flight procedures and perform the inspection.
The research project will determine the applicability of unmanned aircraft systems as a tool for infrastructure inspection using light detection and ranging (LIDAR), infrared (IR), photogrammetry and HD video. It will help Reclamation determine potential issues with the dams' infrastructure including concrete cracks, spalls and other subsurface defects including moisture where it should not be, and any erosion or other topographical changes to the dam and spillway.
The agency said in a news release that the flight will take place "in the next couple of months."
Reclamation's Research and Development Program are funding this project. It focuses on researching innovative, workable solutions to challenging water and power management issues in the western United States. It provides solutions for Reclamation water and facility managers and the stakeholders they serve.
(Image provided by the Bureau of Reclamation)
More News
About 100 Ft Above Ground Level, The Engine Lost Total Power On April 14, 2025, about 1003 Pacific daylight time, an experimental amateur-built Hy-Tek Hurricane HP, N9088G, was sub>[...]
Flight Check A call-sign prefix used by FAA aircraft engaged in flight inspection/certification of navigational aids and flight procedures. The word “recorded” may be a>[...]
“While our traditional mechanical magnetos will be around for a long time, Hartzell Engine Tech acquired E-MAG to expand its PowerUP Ignition System product portfolio into bo>[...]
Primary Radar A radar system in which a minute portion of a radio pulse transmitted from a site is reflected by an object and then received back at that site for processing and dis>[...]
Also: ‘Sonoran Beauty’ Jump-Qualified, IAG Orders, FAA Shuts Down ATC Oversight, EAA Joins Modern Skies Slovakia-based developer Klein Vision recently unveiled the prod>[...]
NTSB Prelim: Hy-Tek Hurricane HP
See All