Coastal Carolinas Topobathymetric Model: Field Validation Data, 2021

U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) scientists conducted field data collection efforts between March 8th and 25th, 2021 at four sites along coastal North Carolina and South Carolina using high accuracy surveying technologies. The work was initiated as an effort to validate a topobathymetric digital elevation model (TBDEM) produced for the area that was directly impacted by Hurricane Florence in 2018. The goal was to compare the airborne lidar and sonar derived TBDEM to data collected through more traditional means (e.g. Global Navigational Satellite System (GNSS) surveying). In addition, coastal dunes were mapped with ground based lidar (GBL) for computation of dune metrics. The Hurricane Florence TBDEM will support the USGS Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program (CMHRP) Hurricane Florence storm induced flooding and sediment transport modeling work. Funding for this work came from the Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster Relief Act of 2019 (H.R. 2157) and the USGS CMHRP.