Service

Watercourse & Drainage Channel Surveys

Professional surveys for creeks, waterways, culverts and stormwater channels across Sydney.

Trusted by engineers, councils and developers across Sydney and NSW
Fast turnaround with clear, regulation-ready survey data
Identify flow paths, invert levels, erosion risks and more

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Reliable Survey Data for Drainage & Flood Assessments

Understanding the location, condition and behaviour of natural and constructed watercourses is critical to safe, compliant and sustainable development. MCS Surveyors provide accurate watercourse and drainage channel surveys for residential, commercial, civil and infrastructure projects across Sydney.

Whether you are planning a new development, upgrading stormwater infrastructure or completing a flood study, our team delivers precise data to support informed decision-making, regulatory compliance and long-term drainage performance.

What Are Watercourse and Drainage Channel Surveys?

Watercourse and drainage channel surveys involve the detailed mapping of natural or man-made water features, such as creeks, rivers, culverts, swales, open drains and stormwater channels. These surveys capture the alignment, depth, width, levels and cross-sectional profiles of watercourses, as well as surrounding terrain and infrastructure.

This information is essential for:

Flood risk assessments and flood modelling
Stormwater drainage design
Environmental impact assessments
Infrastructure planning and upgrades
Waterway protection and erosion control
Development applications on flood-affected or water-adjacent land

Why Are These Surveys Important?

Waterways and drainage channels are dynamic systems that can impact the safety, functionality and approval of your development. Accurate survey data helps identify risks, design effective stormwater solutions and satisfy the requirements of local councils, water authorities and environmental regulators.

You may need a watercourse or channel survey when:

Your site is near a creek, river or stormwater drain
You are proposing a new development or subdivision in a flood-affected area
You need to design or upgrade culverts, bridges or open channel drainage
Council or your civil engineer has requested terrain or cross-section data for hydraulic modelling
You are applying for a development application (DA) or complying development certificate (CDC)

What We Include in a Watercourse or Drainage Channel Survey

Every site is different, but a typical watercourse or drainage channel survey may include:

Longitudinal sections along the watercourse or drain
Cross-sectional profiles at specified intervals
Bed and bank levels, top of bank, and invert levels
Width and depth of the channel or creek
Flow direction and alignment of the watercourse
Structures such as culverts, headwalls, bridges or erosion controls
Adjacent property boundaries, easements and setback lines
Digital terrain models and CAD/3D data for flood modelling

We use advanced surveying equipment including GNSS, robotic total stations and 3D laser scanning to ensure accurate, high-resolution data. Our deliverables are tailored to suit your project needs, engineering standards and submission requirements.

Who Needs a Watercourse or Channel Survey?

These surveys are commonly required by:

Civil engineers and hydraulic consultants for drainage modelling
Property developers and builders preparing DAs or CDCs
Councils and government agencies managing stormwater infrastructure
Environmental consultants conducting impact assessments
Infrastructure contractors working on bridges, culverts or channel upgrades

If your development site is within proximity to a watercourse or mapped drainage channel, survey data is likely to be a council requirement during the planning phase.

Supporting Flood Resilience & Sustainable Design

We understand the growing importance of flood resilience and water-sensitive urban design. Our surveys play a key role in ensuring new developments:

Respect natural overland flow paths
Avoid encroachment on riparian corridors
Provide adequate stormwater capacity and outlet design

Minimise environmental impact to nearby waterways
Meet setback and drainage requirements under local planning schemes

We work closely with engineers, town planners and environmental professionals to provide the information they need for responsible, efficient design.

Why Choose MCS Surveyors?

With over 30 years of combined experience in land and civil infrastructure surveying, MCS Surveyors is trusted by councils, engineers and developers across Sydney and New South Wales.

We offer:

Prompt site attendance and fast turnaround
Fully qualified and insured surveying professionals
Surveys tailored for engineering, planning and council submission

Clear communication and expert guidance at every stage
Accurate digital deliverables in the formats you need

From small infill projects to major infrastructure works, we provide reliable survey data that supports effective drainage design and protects both property and community from water-related risks.