LiDAR data for every Iowa county is now ready for you to download and explore with your GIS software.
LiDAR, or Light Detection And Ranging, creates an interactive topographic map by scanning the earth with lasers from an aircraft to obtain accurate elevations. While old 10-foot contour topographic data was accurate within 5 feet, LiDAR 2-foot contour data is accurate within 8 inches. The U.S. Geological Survey has conducted systematic accuracy testing on the data.
Iowans use LiDAR data for all kinds of planning, modeling and assessments, and they’re coming up with creative new uses all the time.
To learn more about LiDAR and downloading the data, please visit www.iowadnr.gov/mapping/lidar/ .
Then tell us how you use LiDAR by dropping us a line at [email protected].
