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The 3D Elevation Program—Supporting Connecticut’s Economy

Fact Sheet 2025-3030
By:  and 
https://doi.org/10.3133/fs20253030

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Introduction 

Connecticut has a diverse, largely forested landscape characterized by hills and low mountains in the Western Upland, hills in the Eastern Upland, ridges and broad valleys in the Central Lowland, and many beaches and harbors along the coast of Long Island Sound. Connecticut is manufacturing and service focused, ranking almost highest among the 50 States in the United States in personal income per capita. Due to Connecticut’s dense population, many people, especially the approximately 60 percent living near the coast, may be affected by climate-driven disasters. High-quality elevation data can inform the activities of many nongovernmental organizations and municipal and academic entities statewide, resulting in substantial economic impact. Government at the State and local levels relies on these data to support regulatory permitting, resource and infrastructure management, and various engineering and planning-level analyses. 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 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 Connecticut. The status of available and in-progress 3DEP baseline lidar data in Connecticut is shown. 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 or newer requirements. The National Enhanced Elevation Assessment identified user requirements and conservatively estimated that availability of lidar data would result in at least $4.40 million in new benefits annually to the State. The top 10 Connecticut business uses for 3D elevation data, which are based on the estimated annual conservative benefits of 3DEP, are shown.

Suggested Citation

Harrington, L.E., and Walters, D.H., 2025, The 3D Elevation Program—Supporting Connecticut's economy: U.S. Geological Survey Fact Sheet 2025–3030, 2 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/fs20253030.

ISSN: 2327-6932 (online)

Study Area

Table of Contents

  • Introduction
  • Status of 3DEP in Connecticut
  • Coastal Zone Management
  • Flood Risk Management
  • Natural Resources Conservation
  • References Cited
Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title The 3D Elevation Program—Supporting Connecticut's economy
Series title Fact Sheet
Series number 2025-3030
DOI 10.3133/fs20253030
Publication Date May 27, 2025
Year Published 2025
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Publisher location Reston, VA
Contributing office(s) National Geospatial Program
Description 2 p.
Country United States
State Connecticut
Online Only (Y/N) Y
Additional Online Files (Y/N) N
Additional publication details