D. M. J. Fubara¹, Lawrence Hart¹, Golden Ibinabo Otasanya^1,

Bonny River is arguably the most important river in Rivers State because it registers per season high volume of vessel traffic compared to other rivers in the state and also has infrastructures, major cities, companies and institutions along its banks. This high vessel traffic on the channel comes with mishaps that can render a once navigable channel unsafe which can lead to loss of property, resources, life and cause environmental pollution. This research sought to provide analysis of navigational hazards on about 15Km of the study area using a positioning device and some acoustic sensors. It yielded the following findings. The upstream end of the research area had a depth range of 1.5m to 15.1m and its navigable channel with depth range of 3.2m to 15.1m while the Port Harcourt Wharf axes about 12Km farther downstream had a range of 0.1m to 18.7m and its navigable channel with depth range of 10.1m to 18.7m. The maximum depth being downstream was 18.7m. The upstream area was noticed to have the presence of all wrecks (visible and submerged) in the study area. The percentage space occupied by the wrecks (partly submerged and completely submerged) in relation to the entire research space was less than one percent. Although the magnetometer detected several isolated ferrous presence, the side scan sonar representation of the riverbed suggest the ferrous presence are all buried debris. These findings upstream suggests the need for maintenance of the section.

bathymetry, hydrography, navigation, seabed profile, wreck