2006 NOAA Bathymetric Lidar: Puerto Rico (Southwest)

This data set (Project Number OPR-I305-KRL-06) depicts depth values (mean 5 meter gridded) collected using LiDAR
(Light Detection & Ranging) from the shoreline of southwestern Puerto Rico to the shelf edge. The Tenix LADS Corporation
(TLI) acquired bathymetric LIDAR for NOAA from 4/07/2006 to 5/15/2006. Data was acquired with a LADS (Laser Airborne Depth Sounder)
Mk II Airborne System from altitudes between 1,200 and 2,200ft at ground speeds between 140 and 175 knots. The 900 Hertz Nd: YAG
(neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet) laser (1064 nm) acquired 4x4 meter spot spacing and 200% seabed coverage.

This data set also contains LiDAR (Light Detection & Ranging) intensity values (mean 5 meter gridded) from the shoreline
of southwestern Puerto Rico to about 50 meters in depth. Reflectivity was calculated for each sounding as the ratio of
returned energy to transmitted energy, normalized for losses in a single wavelength (green/blue 532nm). The numerical
values for the relative reflectivity are scaled logarithmically to an 8-bit integer range 0 - 255

In total, 265 square nautical miles of LiDAR were collected between -50 m (topographic) and up to 70 m (depth), requiring a
total of 102 flight hours (134 hours, including flight time to and from San Juan airport). Environmental factors such
as wind strength and direction, cloud cover, and water clarity influenced the area of data acquisition on a daily basis.
The data was processed using the LADS Mk II Ground System and data visualization, quality control and final products were
created using CARIS HIPS and SIPS 6.1 and CARIS BASE Editor 2.1 The project was conducted to meet the IHO (International
Hydrographic Organization) Order 1 accuracy standards, dependent on the project area and depth. All users should individually
evaluate the suitability of this data according to their own needs and standards.

The data were received by the NOAA Office for Coastal Management from NCCOS. For data storage and Digital Coast provisioning
purposes the data were converted:
1. From MLLW depths to NAVD88 heights using Vdatum and then from NAVD88 heights to Ellipsoid heights using Geoid12a.
2. From UTM Zone 19, meters, NAD83 to geographic coordinates.
3. From no point classification to 11 (NOAA OCM bathymetry classification).

Under contract to the National Ocean Service, TLI collected airborne LiDAR bathymetry under Contract Number DG133C-03-CQ-0011,
Task Order T0008 and Project Number OPR-I305-KRL-06.

Original contact information: 
   Contact Org: 
Department of Commerce (DOC), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Ocean Service (NOS),
Center for Coastal Monitoring and Assessment (CCMA), Biogeography Branch

   Title: Project Manager - U.S. Caribbean
   Phone: (301) 713-3028

Tags: 2006, april, atlantic ocean, backscatter, bathymetry/seafloor topography, benthic, biogeography, caribbean sea, coastal elevation, coastal processes, coral, doc/noaa/nos/ocm, earth science, gis, habitat, integrated ocean and coastal mapping, intensity, iocm, lads mk ii, land surface, lidar, light, may, mosaic, national ocean service, noaa, north atlantic ocean, ocean, oceans, office of coastal management, opr-i305-krl-06, puerto rico, reef, reflectivity, seafloor, seafloor topography, terrain elevation, topographical relief maps, topography, u.s. department of commerce
Organization: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Department of Commerce