Dewberry Collecting Lidar Data of Western Everglades National Park for U.S. Geological Survey
Florida-based data collection encompasses 788 square miles
Fairfax, VA—August 14, 2019
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) selected Dewberry, a privately held professional services firm, to plan, acquire, and process topobathymetric lidar for 788 square miles of surface area in the western part of the Everglades National Park in Florida. The project is a cooperative effort between USGS and the U.S. National Park Service.
Dewberry is deploying a recently developed lidar system consisting of a Riegl VQ880G topo-bathymetric lidar sensor for data collection. The sensor is capable of collecting data through the water column so that flooded wetlands and open-water areas are accurately modeled as well as dry land. The system also includes an optical camera used to collect aerial imagery. Advanced lidar classification and post-processing will be accomplished by Dewberry’s geospatial analysts who are familiar with the Everglades landscape. This project resulted from a pilot project Dewberry performed in 2016 within the Everglades National Park for USGS and the National Park Service. The pilot project deployed various lidar sensors from several manufacturers in order to test and qualify the data produced from each sensor.
According to Dewberry Senior Project Manager Keith Patterson, “this project will support the National Park Service’s critical environmental management objectives to include response to sea level rise, increased predictive capability of hydrologic models and improved modeling, and understanding of the unique Everglades. The data will also support various scientific studies involving critical habitat for threatened and endangered species.”
The primary deliverable for the project will be a topographic-bathymetric digital elevation model (DEM) that will include above water-level bare earth and below water-level bathymetry.
About Dewberry
Dewberry is a leading, market-facing firm with a proven history of providing professional services to a wide variety of public- and private-sector clients. Recognized for combining unsurpassed commitment to client service with deep subject matter expertise, Dewberry is dedicated to solving clients’ most complex challenges and transforming their communities. Established in 1956, Dewberry is headquartered in Fairfax, Virginia, with more than 50 locations and 2,000+ professionals nationwide. To learn more, visit www.dewberry.com.