Using LIDAR from USGS

H.W.Stockman
Dec 28, 2024

Not all parts of the USA currently have LIDAR data, but where it exists, the topography is much better defined than in the older photogrammetric surveys. Currently the user interface at the USGS National Map site allows one to access LIDAR, but is rather awkward. The USGS map doesn't tell you where LIDAR is available, but if you zoom into a mile-scale area, LIDAR is quite distinctive -- small stream gullys, individual rocks, ledges and so forth will be visible.

This web page provides a guide to refining the prominence of a peak, with the example of "The Jingle Bells" (35.92803, -115.40994) SW of Las Vegas. Click/tap on each small image to view the larger image, and BE SURE TO READ THE INSTRUCTIONS AT THE TOP OF EACH PAGE.

If you know the coordinates, skip to step (1) Use an app like Caltopo to get a screenshot of the area of interest (with hill-shading turned on)	1) go to USGS National Map. If you know the coordinates, you can start at this step and type the coords into "find a place" and skip to step (4)	2) Zoom in, using distinctive feature to pan to correct spot
3) zoon in more	4) activate contours at 5m to recognize peak and saddle	5) go to 1m contours
6) activate info and pick peak	7) use info to get data on saddle