Mean Depth

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Mean depth is another way of saying "average water depth". The mean water depth is measured in either feet or meters and is designated in scientific publications by the letter "z".

Mean depth can be estimated by measuring the actual water depth in many locations and averaging those values. Individual depth measurements may be done by using a depth finder (fathometer) or by lowering a weight at the end of a string or rope into the water and measuring how far it sinks below the surface until it rests on the bottom.

If more accuracy is needed, mean depth should be calculated by dividing a waterbody's volume by its surface area. This method will usually result in a different value than if measured depths are averaged.

See also:
Water depth

The information on this page was derived in part from the following publication of
Florida Lakewatch of the University of Florida Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences.
This booklet may be downloaded in its entirety as a PDF file by clicking here.
Scroll down till you see the Circular 101 icon.

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