Assessing the Accuracy of 3D Modeling of Hydrotechnical Structures Using Bathymetric Drones: A Study of the Karatomara Reservoir

In recent years, Kazakhstan has faced the problem of sustainable development in the field of operation of a number of reservoirs: periods of drought lead to a systematic decrease in accumulated fresh water reserves, and the flood of 2024 led to the flooding of a number of settlements. The article raises questions about the real state of the region’s reservoirs (using the example of the Karatomar reservoir), the accuracy of the conducted bathymetric studies, and the correctness of estimating the required step (or distance between the control points being taken) of the tacks (trajectory lines) of the measurement, which was carried out using the Apache 3 bathymetric drone. The study of the patterns of modeling accuracy from the frequency of tacks (trajectory lines) was carried out using kriging methods. Reservoir models were built in QGis and Surfe. When analyzing the coastline, Sentinel-2 space images and Kazvodkhoz (Kazakhstani state enterprise) data were used. The result of the study was an algorithm for determining the step of tacks (trajectory lines) for modern bottom geomorphology. The conducted research has shown that over 78 years of use, the reservoir’s parameters have undergone significant changes. A similar situation of significant deterioration in parameters is characteristic of other hydrotechnical structures in the region.