USGS 3DEP Lidar Data Supporting New GIS Frontiers in Pennsylvania

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) National Geospatial Program (NGP) provides a foundation of accurate and consistent publicly available elevation data through its 3D Elevation Program (3DEP). The state of Pennsylvania, with the help of its Elevation Working Group, has been very successful in coordinating funding and support from various federal, state, and local government agencies and nongovernmental organizations for the 3DEP. Pennsylvania has recently completed acquisition of statewide topographic lidar data at quality level 2 (QL2). This presentation will review the available data, show where the data can be retrieved, and illustrate science analysis and use cases using elevation data. Discussion will include how statewide availability of current and more accurate QL2 lidar and elevation data can help better support new GIS frontiers in relation to natural resource conservation, agriculture and precision farming, and flood risk management in Pennsylvania.