Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

What is 3DEP?

By 3D Elevation Program

The Rio Grande Gorge Bridge - New Mexico

3D Lidar Point Cloud Rendering

White Sands National Park - New Mexico

3D Lidar Point Cloud Rendering

Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness - New Mexico

3D Lidar Point Cloud Rendering

Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument - New Mexico

3D Lidar Point Cloud Rendering

Very Large Array - New Mexico

3D Lidar Point Cloud Rendering

Reservoir near Millsite State Park - Utah

3D Lidar Point Cloud Rendering

Flood simulation near the confluence of the Rio Jemez and Rio Grande Rivers north of Albuquerque

3D Lidar Point Cloud Rendering

The 3D Elevation Program (3DEP) informs critical decisions that are made across our Nation every day that depend on 3D data, ranging from immediate safety of life, property, and environment to long term planning for infrastructure projects. 

Learn about 3DEP Data Acquisition Investments & Expenditures

3DEP is truly a community effort, the partners that fund acquisition, the vibrant lidar industry and private sector mapping firms that collect data, and an innovative user base. 

The 3D Elevation Program is managed by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) National Geospatial Program to respond to growing needs for high-quality topographic data and three-dimensional (3D) representations of the Nation's natural and constructed features. 3DEP informs critical decisions that are made across our Nation every day that depend on 3D elevation data, ranging from immediate safety of life, property, and environment to long term planning for infrastructure projects. 

3DEP provides an essential national baseline that is critical to a broad range of applications.  The addition of multi-temporal, higher quality 3DEP acquisitions builds on the value of the baseline data to significantly expand monitoring and analysis capabilities for a more resilient economy, such as flood risk management, infrastructure construction and management, energy development, critical minerals exploration and more. The 3D Nation Elevation Requirements and Benefits Study (3D Nation Study) (NOAA, 2022) conducted jointly by NOAA and the USGS identified potential annual benefits of \$7.6 billion U.S. dollars for the next generation of 3DEP.   

Media
3DEP Lidar and IfSAR technology used to create DEM, DSM, Lidar point cloud images
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
USGS Four Images created with 3DEP-quality lidar and IfSAR technology. Left to right, clockwise: Digital Elevation Model of the Red River near Fargo, ND; IfSAR Digital Surface Model; Lidar point cloud image of Dulles Airport, VA; Lidar point cloud image of the transportation network in Denver, CO. 

The first full year of 3DEP production began in 2016 and at the end of fiscal year 2024, 98.3% of the Nation has baseline data available or in progress that meet 3DEP specifications for high accuracy and resolution. USGS continues to work towards completing nationwide baseline coverage as well as meeting growing needs for higher quality data, repeat coverage, and new products and services. 

Related

link
Earth MRI data and applications graphic

Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (Earth MRI)

The goal of Earth MRI is to improve our knowledge of the geologic framework in the United States and to identify areas that may have the potential to contain undiscovered critical mineral resources. Enhancement of our domestic mineral supply will decrease the Nation’s reliance on foreign sources of minerals that are fundamental to our security and economy.
By
Mineral Resources Program
link

Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (Earth MRI)

The goal of Earth MRI is to improve our knowledge of the geologic framework in the United States and to identify areas that may have the potential to contain undiscovered critical mineral resources. Enhancement of our domestic mineral supply will decrease the Nation’s reliance on foreign sources of minerals that are fundamental to our security and economy.
Learn More

The 3D Elevation Program initiative: a call for action

The 3D Elevation Program (3DEP) initiative is accelerating the rate of three-dimensional (3D) elevation data collection in response to a call for action to address a wide range of urgent needs nationwide. It began in 2012 with the recommendation to collect (1) high-quality light detection and ranging (lidar) data for the conterminous United States (CONUS), Hawaii, and the U.S...
Authors
Larry J. Sugarbaker, Eric W. Constance, Hans Karl Heidemann, Allyson L. Jason, Vicki Lukas, David L. Saghy, Jason M. Stoker
By
National Geospatial Program, Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center , 3D Elevation Program, Coastal Changes and Impacts

National Enhanced Elevation Assessment at a glance

Elevation data are essential for hazards mitigation, conservation, infrastructure development, national security, and many other applications. Under the leadership of the U.S. Geological Survey and the member States of the National Digital Elevation Program (NDEP), Federal agencies, State agencies, and others work together to acquire high-quality elevation data for the United States and...
Authors
Gregory Snyder
By
Core Science Systems Mission Area, National Geospatial Program

The 3D Elevation Program: summary of program direction

The 3D Elevation Program (3DEP) initiative responds to a growing need for high-quality topographic data and a wide range of other three-dimensional representations of the Nation's natural and constructed features. The National Enhanced Elevation Assessment (NEEA), which was completed in 2011, clearly documented this need within government and industry sectors. The results of the NEEA...
Authors
Gregory Snyder
By
National Geospatial Program, 3D Elevation Program

Related

link
Earth MRI data and applications graphic

Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (Earth MRI)

The goal of Earth MRI is to improve our knowledge of the geologic framework in the United States and to identify areas that may have the potential to contain undiscovered critical mineral resources. Enhancement of our domestic mineral supply will decrease the Nation’s reliance on foreign sources of minerals that are fundamental to our security and economy.
By
Mineral Resources Program
link

Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (Earth MRI)

The goal of Earth MRI is to improve our knowledge of the geologic framework in the United States and to identify areas that may have the potential to contain undiscovered critical mineral resources. Enhancement of our domestic mineral supply will decrease the Nation’s reliance on foreign sources of minerals that are fundamental to our security and economy.
Learn More

The 3D Elevation Program initiative: a call for action

The 3D Elevation Program (3DEP) initiative is accelerating the rate of three-dimensional (3D) elevation data collection in response to a call for action to address a wide range of urgent needs nationwide. It began in 2012 with the recommendation to collect (1) high-quality light detection and ranging (lidar) data for the conterminous United States (CONUS), Hawaii, and the U.S...
Authors
Larry J. Sugarbaker, Eric W. Constance, Hans Karl Heidemann, Allyson L. Jason, Vicki Lukas, David L. Saghy, Jason M. Stoker
By
National Geospatial Program, Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center , 3D Elevation Program, Coastal Changes and Impacts

National Enhanced Elevation Assessment at a glance

Elevation data are essential for hazards mitigation, conservation, infrastructure development, national security, and many other applications. Under the leadership of the U.S. Geological Survey and the member States of the National Digital Elevation Program (NDEP), Federal agencies, State agencies, and others work together to acquire high-quality elevation data for the United States and...
Authors
Gregory Snyder
By
Core Science Systems Mission Area, National Geospatial Program

The 3D Elevation Program: summary of program direction

The 3D Elevation Program (3DEP) initiative responds to a growing need for high-quality topographic data and a wide range of other three-dimensional representations of the Nation's natural and constructed features. The National Enhanced Elevation Assessment (NEEA), which was completed in 2011, clearly documented this need within government and industry sectors. The results of the NEEA...
Authors
Gregory Snyder
By
National Geospatial Program, 3D Elevation Program
Was this page helpful?