Status Report for the 3D Elevation Program, 2013–2014

By Vicki Lukas, Diane F. Eldridge, Allyson L. Jason, David L. Saghy, Pamela R. Steigerwald, Jason M. Stoker, 

Larry J. Sugarbaker, and Diana R. Thunen

Open-File Report 2015–1161

U.S. Department of the Interior

U.S. Geological Survey
U.S. Department of the Interior

SALLY JEWELL, Secretary

U.S. Geological Survey

Suzette M. Kimball, Acting Director

U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia: 2015

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Suggested citation:

Lukas, Vicki, Eldridge, D.F., Jason, A.L., Saghy, D.L., Steigerwald, P.R., Stoker, J.M., Sugarbaker, L.J., and 

Thunen, D.R., 2015, Status report for the 3D Elevation Program, 2013–2014: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File 

Report 2015–1161, 17 p., http://dx.doi.org/10.3133/ofr20151161.

ISSN 2331-1258 (online)
iii

Contents

Abstract ...................................................................................................................................................................... 1

Introduction................................................................................................................................................................. 1

Leadership and Growth .............................................................................................................................................. 3

The U.S. Interagency Elevation Inventory................................................................................................................... 4

Data Acquisition Unit Costs ........................................................................................................................................ 4

Data Acquisition Investments...................................................................................................................................... 8

Operations Modernization........................................................................................................................................... 9

Lidar Base Specification ........................................................................................................................................... 10

New Products and Services...................................................................................................................................... 10

Technology Outlook.................................................................................................................................................. 11

Summary .................................................................................................................................................................. 15

References Cited...................................................................................................................................................... 16

Figures

1. Elevation data coverage of the United States and U.S. territories derived from light detection and 

ranging data, and Alaska from interferometric synthetic aperture radar data reported in the 2014 

U.S. Interagency Elevation Inventory update................................................................................................. 5

2. Year of elevation data acquisition indicated in the U.S. Interagency Elevation Inventory for quality 

level 3 or better.............................................................................................................................................. 6

3. Acquisition by fiscal year of light detection and ranging data for the United States and U.S. territories 

showing the percent of lidar coverage of the Nation that was acquired for the first time and additional 

area where repeat coverage was acquired. Repeat coverage is due primarily to replacing older or less 

accurate data, or to overlap along the edges of adjacent acquisitions........................................................... 7

4. Examples of new products and services available through The National Map ............................................ 14

Tables

1. Data quality levels and related accuracies for the 3D Elevation Program initiative........................................ 2

2. Cumulative publicly available 3D Elevation Program quality level 2 and better data coverage...................... 6

3. Comparison of average acquisition costs per square mile by 3D Elevation Program quality levels............... 8

4. Summary of USGS data acquisition investments in fiscal year 2013 and 2014............................................. 9

5. Status and planned release dates for source data from the 3D Elevation Program..................................... 12

6. Status and planned release dates for derived elevation products, including standard digital elevation 

models, and for services of the 3D Elevation Program................................................................................ 13
iv

Conversion Factors

Multiply By To obtain

Length

foot (ft) 0.3048 meter (m)

mile (mi) 1.609 kilometer (km)

Area

square mile (mi2) 2.590 square kilometer (km2) 

The Federal Government’s fiscal year (FY) begins October 1 and ends September 30 of the following year. The FY is designated by the 

calendar year in which it ends; for example, fiscal year 2014 begins on October 1, 2013, and ends on September 30, 2014.

Abbreviations 

3D three dimensional

3DEP 3D Elevation Program

ASPRS American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing

DEM digital elevation model

EROS Earth Resources Observation and Science

FAA Federal Aviation Administration

FY fiscal year

GPSC Geospatial Products and Services Contracts

ifsar interferometric synthetic aperture radar

lidar light detection and ranging

NDEP National Digital Elevation Program

NED National Elevation Dataset

NEEA National Enhanced Elevation Assessment

NGAC National Geospatial Advisory Committee

NGP National Geospatial Program

NGTOC National Geospatial Technical Operations Center

OMB Office of Management and Budget

ORI orthorectified radar intensity

QA/QC quality assurance/quality control

QL quality level

RMSEz root mean square error in the z (elevation) dimension

UAV unmanned aerial vehicle

USGS U.S. Geological Survey

USIEI U.S. Interagency Elevation Inventory
1 

Status Report for the 3D Elevation Program, 2013–2014

By Vicki Lukas, Diane F. Eldridge, Allyson L. Jason, David L. Saghy, Pamela R. Steigerwald, Jason M. Stoker, 

Larry J. Sugarbaker, and Diana R. Thunen

Abstract

The 3D Elevation Program (3DEP) goal is to acquire, manage, and distribute enhanced threedimensional elevation data for the Nation and U.S. territories by 2023. This status report covers 

implementation activities during 2013–2014 to include meeting funding objectives, developing a 

management structure, modernizing systems, and collecting and producing initial 3DEP data and 

products. The Nation will not have complete coverage of 3DEP quality data until 2023 assuming that 

sufficient funding is available. In spite of the overall condition of government budgets, the 3DEP 

initiative has gained widespread support and had incremental budget success to include supplemental 

funding resulting from natural disasters. The 3DEP Executive Forum and a wide range of professional 

organizations are actively working to maintain support for the program. The systems that have been 

developed to support increasing acquisition and processing levels are largely in place. The first 3DEP 

quality datasets were released to the public in late 2014. In addition, light detection and ranging (lidar), 

interferometric synthetic aperture radar (ifsar), and digital elevation models (DEMs) acquired before 

2014 are all supported within the new infrastructure and available for download. Research is ongoing to 

expand the suite of products and services, and to increase overall throughput and data management 

efficiency. Emerging technologies may result in lower acquisition costs in the future. Elevation data 

acquired by 3DEP partnerships will be available through The National Map representing one of the 

largest and most comprehensive databases publicly available for the United States. 

Introduction

To respond to growing needs for high-quality topographic data and for a wide range of other 

three-dimensional (3D) representations of the Nation's natural and constructed features, the U.S. 

Geological Survey (USGS) National Geospatial Program (NGP) is developing the 3D Elevation 

Program (3DEP). The primary goal of 3DEP is to systematically collect 3D elevation data during an 8-

year period from 2016 to 2023 in the form of light detection and ranging (lidar) data over the 

conterminous United States, Hawaii, and the U.S. territories. Interferometric synthetic aperture radar 

(ifsar) data will be acquired for Alaska, where cloud cover and remote locations preclude the use of lidar 

in much of the State. The 3DEP initiative is based on the results of the National Enhanced Elevation 

Assessment (NEEA; U.S. Geological Survey, The National Map, 2014a; Snyder and others, 2014) that 

documented more than 600 business uses of lidar across 34 Federal agencies, all 50 States, selected 

local government and tribal offices, and private and nonprofit organizations. Based on the benefit-cost 

analysis in the NEEA, a fully funded and implemented 3DEP would provide more than $690 million 

annually in new benefits to government entities, the private sector, and citizens. The 3DEP presents a 

unique opportunity for collaboration among all levels of government, to leverage the services and 

expertise of private sector mapping firms that acquire the data, and to create jobs now and in the future. 
2 

When 3D elevation data are available to everyone, innovations are possible in flood risk management, 

resource management, alternative energy, agriculture, and a host of other industries for years to come. 

To achieve the level of benefits estimated in the NEEA, the 3DEP initiative must improve the 

quality level at which data are acquired nationally (table 1). The minimum quality levels (QLs) for data 

acquired through the 3DEP initiative are QL2 lidar data for the lower 48 States, Hawaii, and the U.S. 

territories; and QL5 ifsar data for Alaska. The elevation data collection properties for the 3DEP 

initiative approximate those used in the NEEA study (Dewberry, 2012), which categorized elevation 

data source in five QLs. The data sources have been adjusted slightly in table 1 to conform to American 

Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing standards (American Society for Photogrammetry and 

Remote Sensing, 2014). The QL3 approximates the base-level specification for lidar data collected by 

the USGS through fiscal year 2013 (Heidemann, 2012). The current base specification, version 1.2, 

reflects QL2 as the base level in accordance with the 3DEP initiative recommendation. The QL

nomenclature has changed from its first use in the NEEA study and its subsequent use in the USGS 

acquisition specification.

Table 1. Data quality levels and related accuracies for the 3D Elevation Program initiative.

[RMSEz, root mean square error in the z (elevation) dimension; DEM, digital elevation model; QL, quality level; lidar, light 

detection and ranging; n/a, not applicable; ifsar, interferometric synthetic aperture radar]

Quality

level

Data

source

Vertical error

(RMSEz )

(centimeters)

Nominal pulse

spacing1

(meters)

Nominal pulse

density2

(points per square 

meter)

DEM

cell size

(meters)

QL1 Lidar 10 0.35 8 0.5

QL2 Lidar 10 0.7 2 1

QL3 Lidar 20 1.4 0.5 23

QL4 Aerial imagery 139 n/a n/a 5

QL5 Ifsar 185 n/a n/a 5

1

Nominal pulse spacing is the typical or average lateral distance between irregularly spaced first-return points in a lidar

dataset, most simply calculated and expressed as the square root of the average area per elevation point: NNN = 1

√NNN

2

Nominal pulse density estimates the number of first-return lidar points per square meter: NNN = 1

NNN2

3

Although many historical DEMs created from QL3 data have had a resolution (cell size) of 3 meters to match the 1/9 arcsecond National Elevation Dataset (NED), the QL3 data will support the production of a 2-meter DEM.

This report to 3DEP collaborators and stakeholders summarizes the program achievements for 

2013 and 2014. It also reflects the commitment by the USGS to coordinate, communicate, and improve 

the public availability of terrestrial elevation data as part of the USGS colead agency responsibility as 

designated by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) through OMB Circular A–16 (Office of 

Management and Budget, 2002). 
3 

Leadership and Growth

Highlights of 2013–14 include the following activities:

• The 3DEP Executive Forum.—The 3DEP Executive Forum was established in 2013 to facilitate 

executive-level dialog and collaboration on strategies to implement and sustain 3DEP and other 

elevation datasets of national significance in order to fulfill OMB Circular A–16 theme 

coordination requirements for the benefit of Federal stakeholders and the broader community. 

Members are executive-level Federal representatives of the National Digital Elevation Program 

(NDEP) Committee and other agencies with significant potential benefits from a national 

elevation program. The 3DEP Executive Forum meets quarterly and addresses ongoing topics 

such as strategies to advance emerging lidar technology, legislation related to 3D elevation and 

3DEP, and Federal data acquisition partnerships. 

• The 3D Elevation Program Initiative—A Call for Action.—Sugarbaker and others (2014) 

provide a detailed summary of the 3DEP plan and direction. The report was developed with 

extensive input and review by stakeholders including the 3DEP Executive Forum, the NDEP 

Committee, and the National Geospatial Advisory Committee (NGAC) under the Federal 

Geographic Data Committee.

• Endorsements and other support.—The 3DEP initiative was endorsed or received letters of 

budget support from the American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (ASPRS), 

Association of American State Geologists (AASG), Association of State Floodplain Managers 

(ASFPM), Coalition of Geospatial Organizations (COGO), the Management Association for 

Private Photogrammetric Surveyors (MAPPS), National Geospatial Advisory Committee, 

(NGAC), National Society of Professional Surveyors (NSPS), and the National States 

Geographic Information Council (NSGIC). 

• National Academy of Public Administration report.—The November 2013 National Academy of 

Public Administration (2013, p. 11) report included the following recommendation: “The Office 

of Management and Budget should use the 3DEP implementation plan for nationwide elevation 

data collection to guide the development of the President’s annual budget request.” 

• Legislative hearing.—The 3DEP initiative was recognized as an opportunity for strengthening 

geospatial coordination as part of the hearing on H.R. 1604 and H.R. 916 

(http://docs.house.gov/Committee/Calendar/ByEvent.aspx?EventID=101580) by the House 

Committee on Natural Resources, Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources. H.R. 1604, 

the "Map It Once, Use It Many Times Act," proposed to establish the National Geospatial 

Technology Administration within the USGS to enhance the use of geospatial data, products, 

technology, and services to increase the economy and efficiency of Federal geospatial activities. 

H.R. 916, the Federal Land Asset Inventory Reform Act of 2013, was intended to improve 

Federal land management, resource conservation, environmental protection, and the use of 

Federal real property by requiring the Secretary of the Interior to develop a multipurpose 

cadastre of Federal real property. 

• Congressional briefings.—On July 25, 2014, the House and Senate were briefed on "Safer 

Communities, Stronger Economies—in 3D." Speakers from the State of North Carolina, Federal 

Emergency Management Agency, and USGS presented 3DEP applications that help 

communities cope with natural hazards, support infrastructure, and strengthen environmental 

decision-making (U.S. Geological Survey, Congressional Briefing Series, 2014). 
4 

• The White House fact sheet.—On July 16, 2014, the White House announced that the USGS and 

other Federal agencies were launching a 3DEP partnership designed to bring Federal agencies, 

academia, corporate entities, states, tribes, and communities together to acquire advanced 3D 

mapping data of the United States (White House, The, 2014a). These data and related tools will 

support many applications, including flood risk management, water resource planning, 

mitigation of coastal erosion and storm surge effects, and the identification of landslide hazards 

as an essential component of supporting action on climate resilience. Plans to produce 3D data 

and maps were highlighted in President Obama’s press release (White House, The, 2014b). 

• Budget.—The 3DEP initiative was identified in the fiscal year (FY) 2014 President’s budget 

(U.S. Geological Survey, 2013) with a funding increase to the USGS of $9 million plus $1 

million specifically for Alaska ifsar data. The enacted budget did not include the increase for 

3DEP, but did include $760,000 for Alaska elevation data that supports 3DEP goals. The FY 

2015 President’s budget (U.S. Geological Survey, 2014) included a $5 million increase for 

3DEP, $760,000 for Alaska mapping, and $800,000 for lidar for the Puget Sound and Columbia 

River ecosystems. The enacted budget included the $5 million increase for 3DEP and $236,000 

for Alaska mapping.

The U.S. Interagency Elevation Inventory

The USGS and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration annually collect 

information about publicly available lidar data (including ifsar data in Alaska) and maintain the U.S. 

Interagency Elevation Inventory (USIEI) Web site where this information can be viewed (see 

http://coast.noaa.gov/inventory/). An update to the USIEI data through FY 2014 (fig. 1) indicates the 

cumulative data coverage shown in table 2 (includes all QLs, and plans and acquisitions identified 

through October 2014). 

The annual data acquisition levels increased in 2007, 2009, 2010 and 2012 (figs. 2–3). The 

collection rates were aided by the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, and a significant 

number of statewide and regional data collections in the Midwest and the State of Alaska. Collection 

rates fell in 2013 and remained at a similar level in 2014 (fig. 3) because of decreases in Federal and 

State data acquisition funding. To achieve the 3DEP 8-year coverage goal, 12 percent of the Nation 

needs to be acquired each year. 

Data Acquisition Unit Costs 

For FYs 2012–14, average data acquisition costs were calculated from the annual records of the 

Geospatial Products and Services Contracts (GPSC) and from other partnership contracts. A comparison 

of costs for data acquisition by quality level reveals that the annual number and average size of projects 

(table 3) have been highly variable, and thus cost trends cannot be discerned. Across all projects there 

has been a significant shift away from QL3 projects in favor of higher quality QL1 and QL2 data 

collections.
5 

Figure 1. Elevation data coverage of the United States and U.S. territories derived from light detection and 

ranging (lidar) data, and Alaska from interferometric synthetic aperture radar (ifsar) data reported in the 2014 U.S. 

Interagency Elevation Inventory update.
6 

Table 2. Cumulative publicly available 3D Elevation Program quality level 2 and better data coverage.

[Data compiled from the U.S. Interagency Elevation Inventory as of October 2014. lidar, light detection and ranging; 3DEP, 

3D Elevation Program; QL, quality level; ifsar, interferometric synthetic aperture radar]

Fiscal year 20131 Fiscal year 20141,2

Total area of the lower 48 States, Hawaii, and the U.S. territories that has 

lidar coverage that meets the 3DEP specification3 for QL2 or better

4 percent 6.8 percent

Total area of Alaska that has ifsar coverage that meets the 3DEP 

specification for the State3 

50.2 percent4 50.2 percent4

1

The U.S. Interagency Elevation Inventory (USIEI) tracks data based on the year the data were acquired by the sensor, not the year the data were purchased.

2

The fiscal year is estimated. Because of the nature of lidar (ifsar) data acquisition, the USIEI tracks some types of planned data acquisitions that have the 

potential to not be acquired in the reported fiscal year. These projects are included in this table, but may be revised in the subsequent year’s inventory 

update. 

3

Meets 3DEP specification defined as QL2 or better data and 8 years or newer in the lower 48 States, Hawaii, and the U.S. territories; and QL5 or better in 

Alaska.

4

Fiscal year 2014 data acquisitions funds were used to process about 80,000 square miles of data that had been collected in previous years.

Figure 2. Year of elevation data acquisition (fiscal years 2007–14) indicated in the U.S. Interagency Elevation 

Inventory for quality level 3 or better.
7 

Figure 3. Acquisition by fiscal year of light detection and ranging data (lidar; all quality levels) for the United 

States and U.S. territories showing the percent of lidar coverage of the Nation that was acquired for the first time

and additional area where repeat coverage was acquired. Repeat coverage is due primarily to replacing older or 

less accurate data, or to overlap along the edges of adjacent acquisitions.
8 

Table 3. Comparison of average acquisition costs per square mile by 3D Elevation Program quality levels.

[2012 average cost per square mile (number of projects/average size of project in square miles); QL, quality level; lidar, light 

detection and ranging; ifsar, interferometric synthetic aperture radar; N/A, not applicable] 

Quality level1 2012 average

cost per square mile2

2013 average

cost per square mile2

2014 average

cost per square mile2

QL1 lidar (lower 48 States) $842 (1/2,021) $627 (6/934) $821 (7/1,009)

QL2 lidar (lower 48 States) $457 (3/648) $348 (20/1,665) $343 (23/2,504)

QL3 lidar (lower 48 States) $275 (28/2,183) $172 (9/2,632) $266 (4/6,225)

QL5 ifsar (Alaska) $95 $100 N/A

1

For definitions of quality levels, refer to the “Introduction” section.

2

Average costs include collection, quality assurance/quality control, and management. Collection cost is about 80 percent of 

total acquisition cost shown in this table. Numbers within parentheses next to lidar cost information are total number of 

projects flown and average project size in square miles for Geospatial Products and Services Contracts (GPSC) and partner 

projects. Costs for the collection of data in Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Trust Territories are highly variable because of 

the high costs of aircraft mobilization, weather, and other factors related to operating in remote locations. The costs identified 

can be used as a baseline for developing project estimates; however, care should be exercised using the average cost figures 

for data-collection cost estimates in these locations.

The cost associated with ifsar data collection in Alaska increased slightly in 2013. The average 

cost for ifsar collection in Alaska during 2013 was about $100 per square mile (mi2

). The 2013 cost 

increase can be attributed to data-processing, difficult terrain and heavy forest, fuel, and nonstandard 

coastal flight lines. Costs may continue to change as more is learned about data acquisition in the State’s 

challenging terrains.

The projected acquisition cost [including collection, quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC), 

management] for 3DEP data is $334/mi2 for QL2 projects averaging 5,000 mi2. In 2014, the average 

cost of QL2 projects was $343/mi2, and the average project size was 2,504 mi2. For lidar and ifsar data 

collection, the costs through 2014 were roughly compatible with those used to calculate the overall cost 

of acquiring National 3DEP coverage. Costs will continue to be analyzed on an annual basis to assess 

any needed changes in the overall 3DEP required funding profile. 

Data Acquisition Investments

Initial steps were taken in FY 2013 to shift USGS data acquisition investments to higher quality 

(QL2) data as outlined in the 3DEP plan. The USGS invested $4.04 million in FY 2013 and 

$7.31 million in FY 2014 to acquire combined QL1 and QL2 lidar (table 4). Additionally, the USGS 

invested $560,000 in FY 2013 and $700,000 in FY 2014 for QL3 lidar data. Most of the QL3 projects 

completed in FY 2013 and FY 2014 were part of multiyear partnership activities that were commitments 

from prior years. The USGS data acquisition investments included NGP funds, other program funds, 

and Hurricane Sandy supplemental funds. 
9 

Table 4. Summary of USGS data acquisition investments in fiscal year 2013 and 2014. 

[Note that cooperator funds represent the value as identified in cooperative agreements. Actual cooperator investments, 

which would include administrative and QA/QC costs are likely higher. In addition, some data were contributed to USGS 

and are being made available for download. These contributed datasets are not included in the summary information below.

USGS, U.S. Geological Survey; lidar, light detection and ranging; QL, quality level; ifsar, interferometric synthetic aperture 

radar] 

Fiscal year 2013 Fiscal year 2014

Square 

miles 

acquired

USGS 

funds (all 

sources)

Cooperator 

funds Total funds

Square 

miles 

acquired

USGS 

funds (all 

sources)

Cooperator 

funds Total funds

Lidar 

QL1–2 48,000 $4,040,000 $9,330,000 $13,370,000 80,000 $7,310,000 $15,750,000 $23,060,000

Lidar QL3 24,000 $560,000 $2,800,000 $3,360,000 25,000 $700,000 $4,780,000 $5,480,000

Ifsar 

(Alaska) 69,000 $3,540,000 $3,240,000 $6,780,000 80,000 $2,840,000 $4,070,000 $6,910,000

In order to achieve national coverage on an aggressive 8-year cycle, the 3DEP initiative must 

build on existing relations to establish a systematic and more unified process for data acquisition 

partnerships. In coordination with the NDEP, the USGS is collaborating with Federal, State, and other 

partners to define the process with initial implementation in FY 2015; and continued refinement in 

subsequent years in accordance with increased stakeholder engagement, available funding, and new 

technologies. On July 18, 2014, the USGS issued a Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) that provided 

detailed information on this initial partnership opportunity with the USGS 3DEP program. To ensure 

maximum awareness of the opportunity throughout the stakeholder community, the BAA was posted on 

Fed Biz Opps and Grants.gov (Reference number: G14PS00574, see http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/ 

search-grants.html?keywords=G14PS00574). The preferred method of data acquisition for 3DEP is 

through the USGS GPSC. Firms under contract with the USGS as part of the GPSC have been selected 

based on their qualifications and performance in providing professional services. To ensure data quality 

and efficient development of standard products and services, the USGS encourages partners to use the 

GPSC when possible and practical; however, the BAA allows offerors to propose acquisition projects 

either through the GPSC or request 3DEP funds toward acquisition projects using the partner’s 

contracting vehicle. For continued access to reference and communication materials associated with 

current and future BAAs, U.S. Geological Survey, The National Map (2015) has established a reference 

site as part of the 3DEP web presence. To support the increased data acquisition and processing 

required to meet 3DEP coverage goals, the GPSC will be re-competed in FY 2015 to establish a new 

contract for 5 years and increase the delegated procurement authority from $250 million to $750 

million. The increased procurement authority will ensure that there is contracting capacity to handle any 

increased appropriations for 3DEP and other geospatial needs.

Operations Modernization

Production capability for updating and distributing standard digital elevation models (DEMs) 

[previously referred to as the National Elevation Dataset (NED)] was completely re-engineered and 

operationalized within the National Geospatial Technical Operations Center (NGTOC) by April 2014. 

Significant improvements in process automation, as well as modernized production and distribution 

infrastructure, provide consistent product quality at the increased throughput rates required for the high 

volume of 3DEP data. In addition to standard DEMs, the production system simultaneously prepares 
10 

and stages lidar point cloud datasets and original (source) resolution DEMs for distribution. An 

elevation point query service that retrieves elevations for user-input coordinates is also available. About 

45 terabytes of standard 3DEP DEMs and lidar point cloud datasets were downloadable through The 

National Map by October 2014. Development is on track for production and distribution of ifsar digital 

surface models and orthorectified radar intensity (ORI) images beginning January 2015. 

Lidar Base Specification 

The success of the 3DEP initiative as a collaborative effort depends on community acceptance 

and implementation of a data acquisition specification. The 3DEP data specification has continued to 

evolve with the following recent (2014) and anticipated improvements:

• Version 1.2 (Heidemann, 2014), published November 12, 2014, augments the existing version 

1.0 (Heidemann, 2012) to define specifications for QL2 and QL1 data, and address the transition 

of the point cloud data file format specification published by ASPRS from LAS file format 

1.2/1.3 to LAS file format 1.4 (November 2011) (American Society for Photogrammetry and 

Remote Sensing, 2012).

• Version 2.0, planned for publication in 2016, is being developed to address the collection and 

delivery of hydrographic data to ensure interoperability across data collections, allow seamless 

transition of hydrographic data into the National Hydrography Dataset, and enforce hydrography 

consistency with lidar point clouds. The integration of elevation and hydrographic data at the 

collection stage would enable more efficient creation and provision of products for use in a wide 

range of applications. 

• Emerging new lidar technologies (such as Geiger and photon-counting lidar) offer potential 

advantages to 3DEP in cost, time, and data content. They also present a substantial change in 

data structure and handling. The lidar base specification, as well as other industry standards such 

as the LAS file format, will include changes to accommodate these instruments as they become 

commercially usable. Working with the developers of these systems, the ASPRS, and other 

standards organizations will be key to ensuring these instruments and data can be fully used by 

3DEP and its customers. 

New Products and Services 

New products and services outlined in tables 5 and 6 are scheduled to be in place in 2015 (fig. 4) 

including 1-meter DEMs, 5-meter DEMs in Alaska, lidar point cloud source datasets and ifsar source 

digital surface models and ORI data in Alaska; all above information is available on The National Map 

data portal (U.S. Geological Survey, The National Map, 2015b) and the Geospatial Platform (see 

https://www.geoplatform.gov/). Along with the introduction of the new products, the NED name will 

be phased out, and the new 3DEP brand will be implemented on the Web site and other print media. The 

elevation data will continue to be updated and provided at the resolutions of 1/3, 1, and 2 arc-seconds 

under the 3DEP brand; and the 1/9 arc-second DEMs will not be updated, but will be available as a 

legacy product under 3DEP. Lidar specifications for data collection, classified point cloud, and source 

DEMs acquired between 2012 and 2014 are in Heidemann (2012). 

Special request products are available by contacting either the Earth Resources Observation and 

Science (EROS) Center or NGTOC. The EROS Center provides source data through the Earth Explorer 

application. The NGTOC provides source data through The National Map delivery services. Earth 

Explorer and The National Map products and services are available online. 
11 

Technology Outlook

Although advancements in airborne systems have been incremental, some have had significant 

effects on the industry, and the emerging technologies listed below may result in lower data collection 

costs within the next 5 years: 

• The development of higher spatial resolution, green-wavelength airborne lidar systems is 

enabling seamless topo bathymetric data collection along land-water interfaces in coastal and 

riverine environments. Airborne lidar bathymetry systems are beginning to use lower powered 

sensors with tighter beam divergence enabling smaller, higher flying platforms.

• The introduction of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), or drones, for lidar data-collection 

services could have a significant industry effect that further reduces the costs of data collection. 

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 requires 

the FAA to implement rules and procedures for licensing drone use by government agencies, 

commercial entities, hobbyists, and others. The FAA is currently developing the rules and 

procedures; however, it is not known how soon UAVs will be available to geospatial data 

service providers.

• Photon-counting and Geiger mode lidar systems may improve upon conventional lidar (see 

paragraph below). 

• Declines in computer technology costs for storage and processing should lower the costs of 

managing and archiving large lidar, ifsar, and elevation product datasets. In addition, cloud 

services may lower costs through the use of shared technology services available from 

commercial information technology service providers. 

• The emerging Geospatial Platform may allow the USGS to provide online services and provide a 

lower cost solution for customers needing access to the elevation data. 
12 

Table 5. Status and planned release dates for source data from the 3D Elevation Program.

[The initial source data availability will be limited to newly acquired project datasets. QL, quality level; lidar, light detection 

and ranging; NGTOC, National Geospatial Technical Operations Center; ifsar, interferometric synthetic aperture radar; 

DEM, digital elevation model; TBD, to be determined]

Source data Planned coverage on 

release date

Sources (QL) Planned product

or service

Planned availability

(release date1)

Lidar full point 

cloud—

Unclassified

Partial coverage of the 

United States

Lidar (QL1, 

QL2, QL3) 

Project areas by special 

request

NGTOC 2014.

Lidar full point 

cloud—Classified

Partial coverage of the 

United States

Lidar (QL1, 

QL2, QL3)

Project tiles by 

download

Earth Explorer and The National 

Map2, and GeoPlatform3 2014.

Ifsar digital surface 

model

Partial coverage of 

Alaska

Ifsar (QL5) Project tiles by 

download

Earth Explorer and The National 

Map2 2014.

Orthorectified ifsar 

intensity image

Partial coverage of 

Alaska

Ifsar (QL5) Project tiles by 

download

Earth Explorer and The National 

Map2 2014.

Source resolution 

DEM

Partial coverage 

of the United States 

and some U.S. 

territories

Lidar, ifsar Project tiles by 

download

The National Map2, and 

GeoPlatform3 (2014 for new 

data and TBD for pre 2014 

data).

1

All release dates are preliminary.

2

U.S. Geological Survey, The National Map (2014b). 

3

Geospatial Platform (2014a, 2014b).
13 

Table 6. Status and planned release dates for derived elevation products, including standard digital elevation 

models (DEMs), and for services of the 3D Elevation Program. 

[For the initial standard products, geographic coverage will be limited for many products because of limited availability of 

source data. DEM, digital elevation model; lidar, light detection and ranging; TBD, to be determined; AK, Alaska; ifsar, 

interferometric synthetic aperture radar; CONUS, conterminous United States; HI, Hawaii] 

Product Planned coverage

on release date Sources Planned productor service

Planned availability 

(release date1)

1-meter DEM Partial coverage of the 

United States and 

some U.S. territories

Lidar Tiles (TBD) by 

download

The National Map2 and 

GeoPlatform3 2014. 

5-meter DEM Partial coverage of AK Ifsar 1-degree×1-degree block 

by download

The National Map2, 

GeoPlatform3, and 

Earth Explorer 2014.

1/9 arc-second 

DEM—Legacy

Partial coverage of the 

United States and 

some U.S. territories

Lidar, ifsar,

photogrammetry

15-minute×15-minute 

block by download

The National Map2 and 

GeoPlatform3 2014.

1/3 arc-second DEM CONUS, HI, some U.S. 

territories, and parts 

of AK

Lidar, ifsar,

photogrammetry

1-degree×1-degree block 

by download

The National Map2 and 

GeoPlatform3 2014.

1 arc-second DEM CONUS, HI, AK, and 

U.S. territories

Lidar, ifsar,

photogrammetry

1-degree×1-degree block 

by download

The National Map2 and 

GeoPlatform3 2014.

2 arc-second DEM AK Lidar, ifsar,

photogrammetry 

1-degree×1-degree block 

by download

The National Map2 and 

GeoPlatform3 2014.

Elevation-point 

query

CONUS, HI, some

U.S. territories, and 

AK

1/3 arc-second DEM,

except 1 arc-second 

DEM in AK

Application service The National Map2

2014.

Hillshade CONUS, HI, some

U.S. territories, and 

AK

1/3 arc-second DEM,

except 1 arcsecond DEM in AK

Viewing service The National Map2 and 

GeoPlatform2 2014.

Contours4 at

5 to 120 feet

CONUS, HI, some

U.S. territories, and 

AK

1/3 arc-second DEM,

except 1 arc-second 

DEM in AK

1-degree×1-degree block

by download and 

viewing service

The National Map2 and 

GeoPlatform3 2014.

1

All release dates are preliminary.

2

U.S. Geological Survey, The National Map, (2014b). 

3

Geospatial Platform (2014c, 2014d, 2014e, 2014 f, 2014g, 2014h, 2014i).

4

The contour interval is dependent on local topographic relief as published on the US Topo map, a georeferenced digital map 

produced by the U.S. Geological Survey from The National Map data.
14 

Figure 4. Examples of new products and services available through The National Map. A, 1-meter digital 

elevation model (DEM); B, 5-meter DEM in Alaska; C, light detection and ranging point cloud source dataset; D, 

interferometric synthetic aperture radar source digital surface models; and, E, orthorectified radar intensity data in 

Alaska. Images created by J. M. Stoker (U.S. Geological Survey).

The 3DEP Executive Forum, the Civil Applications Committee, and the White House Office of 

Science and Technology Policy cosponsored a Federal roundtable meeting on September 16, 2014, to 

explore the status and potential of emerging lidar technologies from the Defense community and 

National Aeronautics and Space Administration. These systems can collect high-resolution data from 

aircraft flying higher and faster, which potentially reduces the cost of lidar acquisition. Future 

commercialization of more efficient technology has the potential to produce new benefits and increase 

C

B

E

A

D
15

the return on investment for future 3DEP acquisitions. One of the action items from the meeting was to 

establish a working group to identify steps to test the systems and evaluate their ability to address 3DEP 

requirements. An unclassified forum for building collaborations between Federal Civilian and Defense 

agencies will be established in FY 2015 to explore the utility of cutting-edge 3D technologies for future 

use in 3DEP.

Summary

The 3D Elevation Program (3DEP) initiative is a multi-agency objective, led by USGS to 

acquire, manage, and distribute enhanced three-dimensional elevation data for the Nation and U.S. 

territories by 2023. The implementation phase is during 2013–15. This status report covers 2013–2014. 

The final implementation report will be issued for 2015; and, subsequently, status reports will be issued 

for the operational accomplishments beginning in 2016. Implementation is defined as that period of time 

in which support is garnered and funding objectives are met for the program initiative; furthermore, the 

management structure is being developed, systems are being modernized, and initial production is 

getting a head start on the 8-year operational objective to collect 3DEP data. The reader is cautioned to 

understand that the operational phase is defined as the 8-year period in which most of the data are 

acquired and made available. The country will not have complete coverage of 3DEP quality data until 

2023 assuming that sufficient funding is available to complete the program. 

The 3DEP initiative is recognized as an aggressive goal, especially when the condition of 

Federal and State budgets is strained by any reasonable measure. In spite of the overall condition of 

government budgets, the 3DEP initiative has gained widespread support and had incremental budget 

success. Emergency funding has supported data collections on the Atlantic Coast and in Colorado. 

National Geospatial Program funds within the U.S. Geological Survey have been redirected to 3DEP. 

The Federal Emergency Management Agency and Natural Resources Conservation Service are fully 

supporting the Broad Area Announcement process for issuing grants and acquiring data through a more 

formal process. The President’s fiscal year 2016 budget request includes modest increases for 3DEP.

The systems that have been developed to support increasing acquisition and processing levels 

are largely in place. The first 3DEP quality datasets were released to the public in late 2014. In addition, 

light detection and ranging, interferometric synthetic aperture radar, and digital elevation models 

acquired before 2014 are all supported within the new infrastructure and available for download. Other 

Federal agencies and the states are routinely adopting the U.S. Geological Survey data acquisition 

specifications, which outlines the minimum standard for 3DEP quality data collections. Research is 

ongoing to expand the suite of products and services, and to increase overall throughput and data 

management efficiency. Elevation data acquired by 3DEP partnerships will be available through The 

National Map representing one of the largest and most comprehensive databases publicly available for 

the United States..

The prospect for a successful operational launch with significant funding increases is good. 

Since there is much work to be done, the 3DEP Executive Forum and a wide range of professional 

organizations are actively working to maintain support for the program. Emerging technologies may 

result in lower acquisition costs in a few short years. Stay current on the latest 3DEP accomplishments 

by visiting www.nationalmap.gov/3DEP/.
16

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