Pilot Topobathymetric Terrain Model of the Kootenai River near Bonners Ferry, Idaho, 2009 - 2019

Publication Date

2021-04-13

Start Date

2009

End Date

2019

Danielson, J.J., Miller-Corbett, C.D., and Thatcher, C.A., 2021, Pilot Topobathymetric Terrain Model of the Kootenai River near Bonners Ferry, Idaho, 2009 - 2019: U.S. Geological Survey data release, https://doi.org/10.5066/P9Q3VAY8.

Type: Related Primary Publication

Detailed knowledge of integrated river system topography and bathymetry are essential for key science applications such as inundation mapping, habitat characterization, and fluvial geomorphology analyses. As part of the vision for a 3D Nation, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) 3D Elevation Program (3DEP) is starting to investigate the potential for topobathymetric lidar for mapping submerged topography in riverine landscapes. Different rivers for the pilot study are selected based on varying environmental conditions (water clarity, bottom type composition, albedo, and depth) to understand lidar performance in mapping water feature bottom elevations referred to as submerged topography, or bathymetry. This research will help 3DEP work toward operationalizing topobathymetric, or topobathy lidar by providing recommendations regarding topobathy lidar sensor performance and suitable site conditions for potential future river acquisition surveys. Inland bathymetry data from lidar and sonar sources are being assimilated with topographic lidar data to create pilot 3D National Topography Models that integrate river bathymetry with the land surface topography. The disparate green lidar (532nm wavelength) and bathymetric sonar data types are integrated into a common 3D database to generate raster elevation data aligned both vertically and horizontally to a common reference system. The raster elevation topobathymetric product, the Federal Geographic Data Committee metadata, and the spatially referenced metadata files are contained in the downloadable bundle. Spatially referenced metadata are contained within an ESRI geodatabase that stores footprints for each of the input source areas along with source data characteristics. Pilot study terrain models provide required seamless integrated elevation products that can be critical to various science application studies such as flood risk management, 2D/3D hydrologic modeling, river geomorphology applications, sediment-transport, and aquatic habitat restoration, and for analyses of the potential impacts of various climate change scenarios on dynamically changing river landscapes.

• USGS Data Release Products