High Accuracy Elevation Data - Lake Okeechobee Littoral Zone

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) coordinated the acquisition of high accuracy elevation data (meters) for the Lake Okeechobee Littoral Zone collected on a 400 meter topographic grid with a vertical accuracy of +/- 15 centimeters. The elevations are referenced to the horizontal North American Datum of 1983 (NAD83) and vertical North American Vertical Datum of 1988 (NAVD88). The topographic surveys were performed using differential GPS technology and a USGS developed helicopter-based instrument known as the Airborne Height Finder (AHF). The data are available for the areas shown on the USGS High Accuracy Elevation Data graphic at http://sofia.usgs.gov/exchange/desmond/desmondelev.html

This project performed regional topographic surveys to collect and provide elevation data to parameterize hydrologic and ecological numerical simulation models that are being developed for ecosystem restoration activities. Modeling of sheet flow and water surface levels in the wetlands of South Florida is very sensitive to changes in elevation due to the expansive and extremely low relief terrain. Hydrologists have determined minimum vertical accuracy requirements for the elevation data for use as input to hydrologic models. As a result, elevation data with a vertical accuracy specification of +/-15 centimeters (cm) relative to the North American Vertical Datum of 1988 (NAVD88) are being collected in critical areas using state-of-the-art differential global positioning system (GPS) technology and data processing techniques.