Sounding the River

"Sounding the river" refers to the process of measuring the depth of water in a river or body of water. This is typically done using a weighted line, or "sounding line," which is lowered into the water until it touches the bottom. The length of the line between the surface and the weight indicates the water depth at that location. This practice helps navigators, engineers, and planners understand water depths for safe navigation, construction, and environmental assessment. Modern technology often uses sonar or echo-sounding devices, but traditional sounding methods remain relevant in many contexts.