2m Digital Terrain Model Combining LIDAR and Stereo-Enhanced Photogrammetric Data, Niwot Ridge LTER Project Area, Colorado

This dataset is a Digital Terrain Model (DTM) for the Niwot Ridge Long Term Ecological Research (LTER) project area at 2 m resolution, and is well suited for hydrologic modeling and other analyses of bare-earth terrain. The DTM is derived from the first reflective surface or a Digital Surface Model (DSM) that was created from 12 micron digital stereo aerial photography. Elevation points were both automatically filtered and hand-adjusted to better represent bare earth conditions. Green Lakes Valley LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) point data were appended to the filtered and edited data. Breakline information (ie. ridge tops, lake edges, and streams) was added. A final 2 meter gridded DTM and shaded relief model was then generated. The DTM is useful for terrain analysis and derivation of layers such as slope angle, aspect, shaded relief images, and contours. The DTM and shaded relief model covers a total area of 98 km2 and is available in Environmental Systems Research Institute's (ESRI's) GRID format for a total dataset size of 125 MB. They share a UTM zone 13 projection, NAD83 horizontal datum and NAVD88 vertical datum, with FGDC-compliant metadata. The DTM is available through an unrestricted public license, and can be obtained online or on DVD by request (see Distributor contact information below). Imagery available in this series includes orthorectified aerial photography for 1953, 1972, 1985, 1990, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006 and 2008. Together, the digital elevation models and imagery will be of interest to land managers, scientists, and others for observation and analysis of natural features and ecosystems.
NOTE: This EML metadata file does not contain important geospatial
data processing information. Before using any NWT LTER geospatial
data read the arcgis metadata XML file in either ISO or FGDC compliant
format, using ArcGIS software (ArcCatalog > description), or by
viewing the .xml file provided with the geospatial dataset.