FY26 3DHP Data Collaboration Announcement (DCA) Selected Projects

Project Descriptions 

AL – North Central Alabama 3DHP 

This 3DHP project represents a collaborative effort among multiple local and state entities, the Alabama 3DHP Working Group of the Alabama GIS Executive Council, and Tennessee. It encompasses eleven HUC10 boundaries within the Wheeler Lake Watershed, centered around the greater Huntsville metropolitan area (MSA). This also includes a portion of Bankhead National Forest, Wheeler Wildlife Refuge, and several designated Wildlife Management Areas. The creation of the 3DHP data will result in the area's efforts to connect the stormwater network, including culvert inventory, surface water features, and storm sewer infrastructure, and produce contours grounded by elevation-derived hydrography. State programs across Alabama stand to benefit significantly from increased support in data infrastructure, environmental management, farm operations, and public safety coordination. This is the first 3DHP project in Alabama with an effort to move toward an annual collaboration and acquisition program. 

• Project Partner: City of Huntsville, AL 

• Project Size (mi²): 2,636 

• Project Approach: Geospatial Products and Services Contract 

CA – California 3DHP - Butte, Yuba, Bear, and American Rivers Headwaters 

The California Department of Water Resources (CA DWR), in partnership with California State Universities at Chico and Northridge, will produce elevation-derived hydrography data for the 3DHP. This project focuses on five HUC 8 hydrologic units: Butte Creek, Upper Yuba River, Upper Bear River, North Fork American River, and South Fork American River. These rivers are tributaries of the Sacramento River, which contributes to the State Water Project, serving 27 million people. Recent wildfires have impacted these watersheds. The California Natural Resources Agency, in collaboration with federal agencies, funded the 2022 California Sierra Nevada Lidar acquisition. The elevation-derived hydrography from this Lidar data will support efforts like fish passage restoration, water supply modeling, flood modeling, forest health, and wildfire resilience. This project area borders the Feather River Headwaters 3DHP project, which is jointly funded by USGS and CA DWR in the FY 25 DCA program 

• Project Partner: California Department of Water Resources 

• Project Size (mi²): 4,501 

• Project Approach: Financial Assistance 

CT – New England Regional 3DHP Partnership 

Ongoing management challenges and increased large-scale weather events underscore the critical need for current and accurate digital hydrography for New England. This partnership with five New England states and USGS will result in 3DHP-compliant hydrography data for 44 HUC10 watersheds in the New England region. The total area for this FY26 DCA 3DHP acquisition is comprised of over 6,343 square miles, of which 2,686.5 square miles is included in Federal High Priority Data Acquisition Areas, significantly adding to the region’s 3DHP data. Elevation-derived hydrography has broad stakeholder support throughout New England and will be used to facilitate activities identified by stakeholders to improve transportation and infrastructure planning and management, water quality, watershed, floodplain, and stormwater management, protect vulnerable populations, and much more. 

• Project Partner: GIS Office, State of Connecticut Office of Policy and Management 

• Project Size (mi²): 6,343 

• Project Approach: Geospatial Products and Services Contract 

CT – Connecticut State 3DHP 

Recent weather events and ongoing management challenges underscore the critical need for current and accurate digital hydrography for Connecticut. This partnership between and USGS will result in 3DHP-compliant hydrography data for the 25 HUC10 watersheds contained within the State, comprising 3,080 square miles. Elevation-derived hydrography has broad stakeholder support throughout Connecticut and will be used to facilitate activities identified by stakeholders to improve water quality, watershed management, floodplain management, stormwater management, transportation planning, protect vulnerable populations, and more 

• Project Partner: GIS Office, State of Connecticut Office of Policy and Management 

• Project Size (mi²): 3,080 

• Project Approach: Geospatial Products and Services Contract 

IN – Hamilton County IN Cooperative Agreements for new 3DEP and 3DHP Data Development. Part 2: 3DHP Elevation-Derived Hydrography (EDH) Data Development 

Through the USGS FY26 DCA program, Hamilton County, Indiana is accomplishing Part 2 of our initiative to develop and share new 3DHP compliant Elevation-Derived Hydrography (EDH) data. As a long-time leader in the acquisition and application of high-accuracy GIS data across Indiana since the 1990s, the County continues its commitment to geospatial innovation through this initiative. In 2024, Hamilton County partnered with Dewberry Engineers to acquire and process USGS 3DEP-compliant QL1 lidar data (Part 1) and then produce 3DHP-compliant EDH data (Part 2). These datasets not only enhance the County’s GIS resources for use by local, state, and federal partners, but will also serve as a foundation for statewide EDH pilot projects by helping explore and evaluate cost-effective methods for expanding EDH development across Indiana in support of the USGS 3D Hydrography Program. 

• Project Partner: Hamilton County GIS Office, Information Systems Services (ISS) Department 

• Project Size (mi²): 192 

• Project Approach: Financial Assistance 

MO – Missouri EDH, Northeast and South DCA 

Missouri Department of Conservation is working to incrementally develop a statewide elevation derived hydrography dataset by coordinating with state and federal partners. The effort began with the strategic identification of watersheds that have lidar data less than seven years old, forming the basis of a plan to systematically progress across the state. This effort will help provide a critical and up-to-date geospatial layer of the stream networks and water bodies for many local, state, and federal governmental agencies, as well as non-profit organizations and private citizens to use for a range of purposes. The work funded by this grant will focus on portions of Chariton Grand, Upper Mississippi-Salt, and Gasconade-Osage ecological drainage units in Missouri, Kansas, Iowa, and Illinois, totaling 83 HUC10's. 

• Project Partner: Missouri Department of Conservation 

• Project Size (mi²): 11,460 

• Project Approach: Geospatial Products and Services Contract 

MT – Montana 3DHP: Gallatin River (HU8 - 10020008) 

Montana is pursuing modernization of the statewide hydrography dataset. This project will be one of the first 3DHP projects in Montana and provide a starting point for future data development in southwest subbasins. New watercourse mapping will be completed for approximately 1,847 square miles, covering the entire Gallatin River Subbasin (HU8 - 10020008). Upon completion, one consistent watershed(s)-wide dataset will be available to all interested stakeholders, including State, County, City, watershed groups and the public, and will better inform decisions related to watercourse setback requirements, watershed health, and water movement throughout the valley. The project is supported by Gallatin County, the City of Bozeman, Montana State Library, U.S. Forest Service, Gallatin Conservation District, Association of Gallatin Agricultural Irrigators, and the Gallatin Watershed Council. 

• Project Partner: Montana State Library 

• Project Size (mi²): 1,847 

• Project Approach: Geospatial Products and Services Contract 

ND – North Dakota 3DHP Phase 1 

The North Dakota Dept of Water Resources (NDDWR) is a multi-faceted agency focused on the effective use, protection and management of water resources in the state. The agency relies on highly accurate surface hydrology data to aid in flood protection and mitigation, overland flow modeling, public and private water supply, and protecting and ensuring adequate water supplies for agricultural and industrial use. 3DHP data development from our Quality Level 2 lidar will be particularly helpful in the first two proposed HU8s to address many issues related to overland flow and watershed management planning. The precise stream and waterbody networks derived from the lidar will help the NDDWR respond to requests such as determination of surface water flow for appropriate highway construction, evaluating complaints of illegal drainage, channel and drain management/maintenance decisions, flooding issues and stream crossing determinations. The data will also then be available for other state agencies to use, such as in the assessment and modeling of chemical spills and contamination runoff. 

• Project Partner: North Dakota Department of Water Resources 

• Project Size (mi²): 5,859 

• Project Approach: Geospatial Products and Services Contract 

NH – 3D Hydrography for Interior New Hampshire Watersheds 

This project will develop 3D Hydrography for 10 HUC-10s in New Hampshire, with a focus in western New Hampshire, the Lake Winnipesaukee area, and the eastern White Mountains foothills. This represents New Hampshire's first round of 3D Hydrography collection, and will support updated flowlines for modeling and stream and culvert project work in areas that have experienced flash flooding and attendant damage in recent years, and in which infrastructure projects are underway that will benefit from the more precise watershed-based flow routing and hydrologic information that updated hydrography offers. 

• Project Partner: New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services 

• Project Size (mi²): 1,555 

• Project Approach: Geospatial Products and Services Contract 

OH – Ohio 3DHP Phase 3 

The Ohio 3DHP Phase 3 is a two-year initiative (2027-2028) which would complete first-edition 3D Hydrography Program (3DHP) Elevation-Derived Hydrography (EDH) collection for the State of Ohio. Phase 3 builds off the success of Phases 1 & 2 and the Big Darby pilot, focusing on the remaining southern half of the state. Phase 3 furthers the State of Ohio's goal to take full advantage of procured statewide Quality Level 2 or better 3D Elevation Program (3DEP) lidar and allows the State to replace its expiring National Hydrography Dataset (NHD) data. Having complete statewide hydrography will deliver immense benefits and provide transformational data necessary for the State of Ohio to make data-driven decisions for our +29,000 miles of waterways. Ohio 3DHP Phase 3 will be funded in-part by the State of Ohio's 2027 fiscal year of the biannual budget.  

• Project Partner: Ohio Department of Administrative Services/Ohio Geographically Referenced Information Program 

• Project Size (mi²): 16,933 

• Project Approach: Geospatial Products and Services Contract 

OR – 3DHP in western OR: Next-gen hydrography to advance forest and watershed management across the Pacific Northwest.    

This project will develop 3DHP data for western Oregon, contributing to a seamless, regional dataset for the Pacific Northwest. It will provide the key information needed for sustainable forest and watershed management in this landscape of globally significant forests, water, and wildlife. 3DHP data will provide precise information to attain timber production goals and respond to large disturbances, while protecting and restoring aquatic habitats, water quality, and water supplies via implementation of the Northwest Forest Plan-Aquatic Conservation Strategy. Data will be coupled with novel models and observations to map riparian reserves and will support efficient watershed analysis, planning and implementation. Data will also enable more accurate post-fire flood and erosion modeling. Thus, the project enables community stability and environmental resilience. Key partners are USFS-PNW Region and Research Station, USGS, EPA, OR-Dept of Forestry, and Eugene Water and Electric Board. 

• Project Partner: USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Region 

• Project Size (mi²): 12,013 

• Project Approach: Geospatial Products and Services Contract 

RI – Rhode Island Geographic Information System (RIGIS)- Rhode Island Division of Statewide Planning  (RIDSP) 3DHP 

Recent weather events and ongoing management issues highlight the urgent need for up-to-date and precise digital hydrography in Rhode Island. The state contains six (6) HUC 10 watersheds entirely within its borders, covering about 527 square miles. Elevation-based hydrography has broad support from stakeholders and will support activities aimed at enhancing water quality, watershed and floodplain management, stormwater control, asset management, preparedness, and resiliency efforts, and protecting Rhode Island's expanding population. 

• Project Partner: RI Division of Statewide Planning 

• Project Size (mi²): 527 

• Project Approach: Geospatial Products and Services Contract 

TN – Cumberland TN FY26 3DHP 

The State of Tennessee is pursuing the goal of acquiring 3DHP datasets over 5 years (2024-2028) to replace the aged and inaccurate NHD data in Tennessee.  In collaboration with the Department of Environment and Conservation and the Department of Transportation, significant funding has been secured to support 3DHP projects over the next five years. Additional funding will come from local government and funding from other federal agencies. The data products from 3DHP will support a variety of use cases in TN Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) and TN Department of Transportation (TDOT), including: Dam safety, hydraulic design, environmental compliance and enforcement, long range planning, water resource protection, and many others. The Cumberland TN sub-basins were selected based on a variety of factors including, TDEC and TDOT priorities, and federal interests in this geography. 

• Project Partner: State of Tennessee, Department of Finance and Administration 

• Project Size (mi²): 7,931 

• Project Approach: Geospatial Products and Services Contract 

TX – 3DHP - Texas Central East 

The Texas Geographic Information Office (TxGIO) is pursuing a new initiative to collect elevation derived hydrography for Texas by contributing to the USGS 3D Hydrography Program (3DHP). Datasets will be made publicly available through TxGIO’s DataHub (data.geographic.texas.gov) to improve mapping efforts, support research, enhance flood modeling, and increase disaster preparedness in Texas. This project aims to produce a hydrography dataset using high quality, QL2 lidar data from the USGS 3D Elevation Program (3DEP), accepted by the USGS in 2025 for Lampasas and Smith counties. The area of interest (AOI) covers approximately 3,577 square miles, encompassing 7 HUC10 watersheds and 41 HUC12 sub-watersheds. The AOI falls predominantly within the Upper Trinity, Neches, Sabine, Little, Middle Colorado-Concho, and Middle Colorado-Llano basins. Outcomes from this project will aid in dam safety, floodplain management and planning, water quality modeling, stream restoration, and emergency management services. 

• Project Partner: Texas Water Development Board 

• Project Size (mi²): 3,577 

• Project Approach: Geospatial Products and Services Contract 

WA – Washington Modernized Surface Water Mapping 

Surface waters and their connected riparian zones are vital for maintaining water quality and supporting the health and diversity of aquatic and terrestrial species across Washington. Accurately identifying the location of the state’s surface waters is essential for assessing, monitoring, and protecting these ecosystems, as well as for strengthening climate resiliency at statewide, watershed, and local scales. In 2024, Ecology received state funding for a five- to seven-year project to update Washington’s hydrography to meet USGS 3DHP standards. The first two years focused on updating watersheds in the Puget Sound and eastern Washington regions. This project is dedicated to filling in missing areas in southern and eastern Washington State. Additional USGS funding will support the State’s goal of achieving a comprehensive statewide hydrography update, helping to offset recent statewide funding reductions. 

• Project Partner: Washington Department of Ecology 

• Project Size (mi²): 10,626 

• Project Approach: Financial Assistance 

WI – 2026 Northeast Wisconsin Lake Michigan 3D Hydrography Program Project 

The WI Land Information Program (WLIP) requests assistance from the USGS 3D Hydrography Program (3DHP) to create 2,687 miles of EDH data over northeast Wisconsin. This proposal follows 12 successful 3DEP projects coordinated by the WLIP. . The application of new 3DHP data in northeast Wisconsin will support numerous current projects and initiatives and will additionally support future natural resource management and agricultural planning needs. Benefits of new high resolution and standardized hydrography data include: flood risk mitigation; improved county land and water management planning; improved resiliency planning; nonpoint source pollution mitigation; habitat, wetland and stream restoration; fisheries and water resource management; land protection prioritization; modeling; watershed planning; and nature-based solutions implementation. 

• Project Partner: Wisconsin Department of Administration 

• Project Size (mi²): 2,687 

• Project Approach: Geospatial Products and Services Contract