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The 3D Elevation Program—Supporting Vermont’s Economy

Fact Sheet 2025-3033
By:
https://doi.org/10.3133/fs20253033

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Introduction

The geographic information system (GIS) community in Vermont has a long history of interdisciplinary and cooperative projects that have facilitated the leveraging of geospatial technology on myriad data acquisitions across the State. High-resolution elevation data are proving to be a resource of great economic value in dealing with many important issues in Vermont. Vermont attained statewide coverage of quality level 2 coverage of topographic light detection and ranging (lidar) data in 2019. Having access to elevation data that are exponentially more accurate than what was previously available is enabling GIS professionals to better support and empower decision makers in economically important efforts such as environmental protection, public safety, watershed management and water quality, geology, transportation planning, forest and wildlife management, local planning, and flood plain management. In addition, developing a consistent and seamless statewide topographic framework supplants the traditionally time consuming and costly approach of extensive field data collection by requiring less time and money, therefore adding economic benefits. Critical applications that meet the State’s management needs depend on 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 Vermont. The status of available and in-progress 3DEP baseline lidar data in Vermont 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 $1.64 million in new benefits annually to the State. The top eight Vermont business uses for 3D elevation data, which are based on the estimated annual conservative benefits of 3DEP, are shown in table 2.

Suggested Citation

Walters, D., 2025, The 3D Elevation Program—Supporting Vermont's economy: U.S. Geological Survey Fact Sheet 2025–3033, 2 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/fs20253033.

ISSN: 2327-6932 (online)

Study Area

Table of Contents

  • Introduction
  • Status of 3DEP in Vermont
  • Geologic Resource Assessment and Hazard Mitigation
  • Flood Risk Management
  • Natural Resources Conservation
  • Agriculture and Precision Farming
  • References Cited
Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title The 3D Elevation Program—Supporting Vermont's economy
Series title Fact Sheet
Series number 2025-3033
DOI 10.3133/fs20253033
Publication Date July 15, 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 Vermont
Online Only (Y/N) Y
Additional Online Files (Y/N) N
Additional publication details