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The 3D Elevation Program—Supporting the Texas Economy

Fact Sheet 2024-3054
By:
https://doi.org/10.3133/fs20243054

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Introduction 

High-resolution elevation data for Texas inform decision making to improve the State’s economy. Existing elevation data coverage is used to improve resiliency to natural disasters, manage energy infrastructure, and assess natural resources. The expanding availability of current and more accurate elevation data helps better support natural resources conservation, agriculture and precision farming, flood risk management, infrastructure and construction management, geologic resource assessment and hazard mitigation, coastal zone management, and identification of features of interest or concern, such as archaeological and historic sites. Critical applications that meet the State’s management needs depend on light detection and ranging (lidar) data that provide a highly detailed three-dimensional (3D) model of the Earth’s surface and aboveground features.

The 3D Elevation Program (3DEP) is managed by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) in partnership with Federal, State, Tribal, U.S. territorial, and local agencies to acquire consistent lidar coverage at quality level 2 or better to meet the many needs of the Nation and Texas. The status of available and in-progress 3DEP baseline lidar data in Texas is shown in figure 1. 3DEP baseline lidar data include quality level 2 or better, 1-meter or better digital elevation models, and lidar point clouds, and must meet the Lidar Base Specification version 1.2 (https://www.usgs.gov/3dep/lidarspec) or newer requirements. The National Enhanced Elevation Assessment identified user requirements and conservatively estimated that availability of lidar data would result in at least $53.1 million in new benefits annually to the State. The top 10 Texas business uses for 3D elevation data, which are based on the estimated annual conservative benefits of 3DEP, are shown in table 2.

Suggested Citation

DeVaughan, C., 2024, The 3D Elevation Program—Supporting the Texas economy: U.S. Geological Survey Fact Sheet 2024–3054, 2 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/fs20243054.

ISSN: 2327-6932 (online)

ISSN: 2327-6916 (print)

Study Area

Table of Contents

  • Introduction
  • Status of 3DEP in Texas
  • Water Supply and Quality
  • Flood Risk Management
  • Coastal Zone Management
  • Wildlife and Habitat Management
  • References Cited
Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title The 3D Elevation Program—Supporting the Texas economy
Series title Fact Sheet
Series number 2024-3054
DOI 10.3133/fs20243054
Year Published 2024
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Publisher location Reston, VA
Contributing office(s) National Geospatial Program
Description 2 p.
Country United States
State Texas
Online Only (Y/N) N
Additional Online Files (Y/N) N
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
Additional publication details