High-Resolution Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) of the Volta Delta, Ghana, from UAV (2022–2023) and Pleiades Satellite Imagery (2021)

This dataset provides high-resolution Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) of the Volta Delta coastline in Ghana, derived from UAV photogrammetric surveys conducted in 2022 and 2023, and from tri-stereoscopic Pleiades optical satellite imagery acquired in 2021. The UAV-derived DEMs were generated from DJI Phantom IV surveys covering approximately 11 km alongshore and 200 m cross-shore, with an ultra-high spatial resolution of 0.01 m/pixel (1 cm). Structure-from-Motion (SfM) photogrammetry was applied using Agisoft Metashape, and georeferencing was ensured using 42 Differential GPS ground control points. The vertical accuracy of the 2023 UAV DEM is ±0.08 m RMSE. The Pleiades DEM was produced from tri-stereoscopic satellite imagery (Airbus Defence and Space), with a spatial resolution of 2 m. Processing was carried out using the NASA Ames Stereo Pipeline, including rational polynomial coefficient (RPC) correction, and validated against the UAV-derived DEM. All DEMs are provided in GeoTIFF format, referenced to WGS84 / UTM Zone 31N (EPSG:32631) and the EGM2008 vertical datum. These datasets were developed for coastal flood hazard assessment and are suitable for flood modeling, morphodynamic analysis, DEM resolution comparison, and local vulnerability studies in low-lying deltaic environments. An additional processing report (PDF) is provided for the 2023 UAV-derived DEM, detailing the photogrammetric workflow, ground control configuration, quality assessment, and accuracy metrics.