NWDTW 2024

Concerns over maintaining antiquated samplers and manufacturing techniques led to the determination that a new sampler design and production would be in the best interest of Federal Interagency Sedimentation Project (FISP) participating agencies (USGS, Bureau of Reclamation, Corps of Engineers, USDA). Applying current 3-D printing technology presents the possibility of producing one new generation sampler that could serve as both a depth- and point-integrating sampler. Components that would change the function of the sampler would be more economical to produce and reduce the cost of purchasing an entirely new sampler. 3-D printing materials will also allow many components of the sampler to be buoyant. This feature would improve recovery chances if the sampler head or parts were dropped in the water while working from a boat, therefore reducing replacement costs. Also, with sediment surrogate technology on the rise, a sampler designed to incorporate surrogate instrumentation would enhance sediment data-collection efforts.