Abstract

The USGS Ele-Hydro Concept
Track: Water Resources
Authors: Karen Hanson, Jeff Simley

Currently elevation data such as the National Elevation Dataset and hydrography data such as the National Hydrography Dataset are planned, produced, and distributed in discrete processes. The scientist is then left with the problem of integrating the data and dealing with all the associated spatial, temporal, and format issues. New opportunities now exist with the advent of LiDAR data to produce improved elevation and hydrography data in an integrated production process that creates inherently integrated data plus a rich assortment of additional characteristics that can greatly improve the application of the data to solve scientific problems. These characteristics include drainage catchments, drainage area, network attributes, z-values, and slope. Additional data can be integrated to enrich the data such as geographic names, streamgages, precipitation, temperature, dams, landcover, and diversion systems. The product, known as "Ele-Hydro" is primarily designed to be delivered through web services.