Elevation Technical Working Group

Introduction

The Elevation Technical Working Group mostly focusses on Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) data and its derivative products such as digital elevation models, hillshade rasters and contour lines. LiDAR is a laser-based technology that provides 3-dimensional (3-D) data to develop bare earth, canopy, and other models of the earth’s surface necessary for mapping applications.

Lidar’s capabilities to derive fine-scale, 3-D data across relatively large swaths of the landscape make it unique from other Earth surface mapping technologies such as optical imagery (e.g., airborne-based National Agriculture Imagery Program (NAIP) imagery or satellite-based Landsat imagery).

Lidar is most commonly collected via airborne platforms when large swaths of data are needed. Nationally, lidar has been collected by local, state, and federal agencies, tribal governments, private sector, universities, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

Vision

High quality LiDAR data and derivative products are available for the entire State of Idaho and LiDAR collections is made more affordable through active collaboration between State, Federal, Local and Private organizations.

Goals

Support the LiDAR Consortium and encourage collaborative efforts to collect LiDAR data through the consortium. Encourage partnerships between federal, local, state and private agencies to collectively purchase LiDAR data.
Have LiDAR data available for the entire State of Idaho
Develop standards and nominations for LiDAR data and derivative products for inclusion in Idaho’s Spatial Data Infrastructure (“the Idaho Map”)
Share examples of how LiDAR and derived elevation products are being used and teach people how to process and use LiDAR data
Idaho Statewide Lidar Plan Version 1.1

Framework Layers

LiDAR Derived Data
LiDAR Raw Point Cloud Data

LiDAR Derived Data

LiDAR Derived Datasets (Elevation, Aspect, Slope, and Hillshade)

Step 1

Dataset Identified

Link to REST Service

Step 2

Standard Documented

Link to Standard

Step 3

Nominated for TIM

Link to Nomination

Step 4

IGC-EC Approved

Approved July 2023. Check back for meeting minutes

Step 5

Data is Shared

Access Data

LiDAR Raw Point Cloud Data

Step 1

Dataset Identified