Development of an Inexpensive Remote Operating Vehicle (ROV), Mountain Lake Virginia

 

Jon C. Cawley, Adam Vittum, Michael Barrett, Noah Muller, & Ross Irwin

Tested Studies in Laboratory Teaching, 2006, Volume 27

Abstract

This workshop details the physical description and use of a small ROV submarine, built in 2004 to explore and video bottom features at Mountain Lake, Giles County, Virginia. This project represents an ongoing co-operative effort between the Wilderness Conservancy at Mountain Lake, Roanoke College and Virginia Polytechnic Institute as academic partners. Mountain Lake is the only natural lake in the southern Appalachian Highlands. It is a low nutrient, high altitude, sub-alpine lake and associated ecosystem. In many ways the lake may be considered to be an environmental “early warning” system for much of the Southern Appalachians. It is of particular interest because of its unusual geologic structure (a fault and crevice in the deepest portion of the lake). It is also a cyclic lake on the scale of decade to century, and has recently gone through the low portion of its cycle. The ROV is constructed of PVC, with direct umbilical to the surface. It is controlled by use of 6 (12-volt) electrical mini bilge pumps, and is outfitted with an infrared/visible light underwater video camera, as well as dive lights. The ROV has been used to determine bottom textures across the lake, particularly in the deepest portion of the lake, at more than 95 feet of depth. The ROV is also designed for educational use of visiting groups by the Wilderness Conservancy at Mountain Lake.

Keywords:  video camera, remote-operated vehicle

Virginia Tech (2005)