A primer on Fluvial Hazard Zone Mapping with LiDAR data

The is a very technical post. This is a primer to discuss how LiDAR data is collected, filtered and manipulated to create digital elevation models (DEM) and how those DEMs might be used to identify fluvial geomorphic signatures that indicate where a flood hazard might exist. LiDAR data is commonly used in geomorphic analysis, hydraulic analysis and floodplain mapping. In order to use the data effectively the user needs to understand the limitations of the data.

February 18, 2023 NRCS Data collection and Snow Water Equivalent

The Snow Water Equivalent (SWE) is not as optimistic as some would hope. Below is a screen shot taken from the NRCS interactive website. The color-coded points are the locations the SWE is measured. The percent value is compared with the peak based on the median peak which is calculated for the period of record.

The period of record minimum (when they started recording data) is shown below which varies from 1977 to 2005.

The period of record for the maximum is shown below. If the color of the dot changes than they are no longer collecting the peak data. It looks like a lot of sites are no longer being collected.

Colorado Watershed Blog

Here is where I will be posting my thoughts on Colorado Water, watershed health, river assessments, flood risks, etc.

Blog Post February 18, 2023

A primer on Fluvial Hazard Zone Mapping with LiDAR data

The is a very technical post. This is a primer to discuss how LiDAR data is collected, filtered and manipulated to create digital elevation models (DEM) and how those DEMs might be used to identify fluvial geomorphic signatures that indicate where a flood hazard might exist. LiDAR data is commonly used in geomorphic analysis, hydraulic…