Thursday, August 11, 2016

Collecting Lidar Data along Florida's Outer Reef

NGS wrapped up three weeks of topo-bathy (land elevation and water depth) Lidar data collection along the outer reef of Florida. The data were acquired using the Office of Marine and Aviation Operations' Twin Otter aircraft equipped with NGS's new high-resolution, near-shore topo-bathy lidar system. Lidar data will support the Office of Coast Survey's request for chart updates, and will supply much needed data to the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary to support bathymetry maps. NGS plans to return to the area next year to survey additional portions of the reef. Near-shore lidar systems have improved over the past few years, and NGS's upgraded system can acquire data in waters up to four meters deep and even deeper where conditions allow.

For more information, contact: Mike.Aslaksen@noaa.gov