The purpose of this study was to assist the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management in the preparation of environmental documents and to facilitate improved environmental management by developing one depository of maps and information on major submarine canyons of the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS). To accomplish this, submarine canyons were inventoried and delineated using a methodology consistent with terrestrial watershed mapping. A criteria-based algorithm generated spatial polygons used to calculate canyon slope, length, and depth. A concurrent literature review was conducted, which provided the notable facts for each canyon. The three canyon geometries were identified: 1) isolated and narrow relative to length, 2) isolated and wide relative to length, and 3) canyon systems (many canyons occurring conterminously). A distinct methodology was needed to delineate each of these canyon scenarios and eliminate surrounding seafloor from the definition of canyon boundaries.

USD: $164,799

2019-03-06 → 2020-02-28