3D Elevation Program
3DEP Uses in the News*
3DEP provides expanded benefits to a range of Federal, State, local, and private industry applications.
Jump to Sections: News Articles | Press releases
Learn about 3DEP's high-resolution topographic data applications with these in-depth Geo-narratives.
News Articles
2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013
2020
- AEG Firm Woolpert Is Blazing Trails with Exponential LiDAR Applications - Point of Beginning, July 15, 2020
- Positional Accuracy Assessment for NAIP/3DEP Pilot - Lidar News, June 22, 2020
- When to Collect New Lidar? - Lidar Magazine, June 14, 2020
Lidar data provide 3D information about the forest canopy and vegetation structure.
xyHt Magazine 4/17/20
- Indiana has identified the need to have ubiquitous access to statewide 3DEP QL2 topographic lidar data - April 23, 2020
- The Challenges and Joys of Mapping America’s Last Frontier: An interview with Dr. Dave Maune - Photogrammetric Engineering & Remote Sensing Journal, April 2020
- Lidar vs. Wildfires in Southern California - xyHt Magazine, April 17, 2020
- Innovative 3-D Elevation Program Has Huge Economic Promise - Diplomatic Courier, April 13, 2020
- Ranking Member Roger Marshall's Opening Statement at Joint Subcommittee Hearing on FEMA Flood Maps - February 27, 2020
2019
Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy
- Expanding 3DEP Coverage Coast-to-Coast: The Challenges and Opportunities of Improving Elevation Data in the West - Directions Magazine, Oct 2, 2019
- Tennessee Makes LiDAR Mapping Available, With Instructions - TN Dept of Finance and Administration, September 25, 2019
- Use of LiDAR in Disaster Response - Geospatial World, June 27, 2019
- Case Study: TX Coastal Lidar Mapping in Full Flow - Fugro, June 2019
- USGS 3DEP Data Now Available in Global Mapper - Blue Marble Geographics, May 14, 2019
- How Lidar is Being Used to Help With Natural Disaster Mapping and Management - The Engineering Community, May 10, 2019
- Overcoming Hurdles to Modeling River Bathymetry - Lidar Magazine, May 08, 2019
- Lidar Enlightens the Search for Critical Minerals - Lidar Magazine, May 8, 2019
- Congressman Gonzalez Urges Inclusion of Flood Mapping Reform - Point of Beginning, April 3, 2019
- Lidar in Virginia - Division of Geology and Mineral Resources, State of VA - March 2019
- Testimony of GSA Director Kasey White to U.S.House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations- February 26, 2019
- USGS’ 3DEP lidar data now available to the public - Spar3D, February 15, 2019
- Lawmakers reintroduce bill to protect communities from landslides - American Geosciences Institute, February 14, 2019
- USGS 3DEP Lidar Point Cloud now available as Amazon Public Dataset - Geospatial World, February 8, 2019
- USGS 3DEP Lidar Point Cloud Repository Available as an Amazon Public Dataset - GIS Lounge, February 7, 2019
2018
- Revealing our dynamic landscape through new high-resolution topographic data - Nevada Today, December, 18, 2018
- U.S. 3D Elevation Project as a model for a National Infrastructure Map - Between the Poles Blog, September 24, 2018
- Quantum Spatial Supports Multiple LiDAR Data Acquisition Projects - Geodatapoint, August 23, 2018
- 3DEP added a dynamic map service for accessing lidar data on the fly - Spar3D, August 13, 2018
- When Predictions Match Reality: The Power of LiDAR for Flood Warnings - GIS Lounge, January 7, 2018
2017
LiDAR News
- The 3D Elevation Program- Landslide Recognition, Hazard Assessment, and Mitigation Support - Lidar News, Sept 11, 2017
- The 3D Elevation Program and America's Infrastructure - Lidar Magazine, Jan. 2017
2016
- These gorgeous new Alaska maps could transform our understanding of the Arctic - Washington Post, Sept. 6, 2016
- Tennessee Agencies Collaborate to Gain Multipurpose Lidar Data - LiDAR Magazine, Vol. 6 No. 7, 2016
- How Is That Done Again? Changing Specifications - Lidar Magazine, Aug 27, 2016
- What's a map worth? The big cost and bigger benefit of three-dimensional elevation data - Earth, Jun 30, 2016
2015
- New Mexico in 3-D - Nov 27, 2015
- Partnership Shows LiDAR's Practical Use, Potential in Oregon - Lidar Magazine, Jul 17, 2015
- LiDAR detection may help save lives in the future - Washington Military Dept, March 13, 2015
2014
GIM International
- Alaska’s outdated maps make flying a peril, but a high-tech fix is slowly gaining ground - Washington Post, Oct 14, 2014
- 3D Mapping Data’s Future: 8 Examples - Information Week, Aug 19, 2014
- 3DEP Goes to Washington - GISUser, July 22, 2014
- USGS Establishes New 3D Elevation Programme - GIM International, July 18, 2014
- Obama Pushes Climate Resilient Infrastructure Forward - Sustainable Business, July 17, 2014
- Obama launches climate tools including 3-D maps - USA Today, July 17, 2014
- USGS Wants You to Know: What's the Deal with 3DEP? - Directions Mag, July 17, 2014
- Obama to meet with climate task force – Texas town rejects fracking ban - Politico, July 16, 2014
- Obama's day: Climate change and congressional Democrats - USA Today, July 16, 2014
- Obama bulking up local defenses against climate change impact - The Hill, July 16, 2014
- Obama announces funds to prepare country for climate change - MSNBC, July 16, 2014
- President's Climate Resiliency Actions Include Risk-Mapping Tool - NRDC, July 16, 2014
- Government: Now is the Time for the Geospatial Community to Contact Congress in Support of 3DEP - Lidar News, June 2, 2014
- Update on USGS 3D Elevation Program (3DEP) initiative - GISUser, May 14, 2014
- Now is the Time for the Geospatial Community to Contact Congress in Support of 3DEP - Lidar News, April 26, 2014
- MAPPS, NSPS Testify on 3DEP, Land Inventory Before House Appropriations Subcommittee - Spatial News
- US Geological Survey to Lead Ambitious 3D Elevation Program - By Larry Sugarbaker, Spring 2014
- 3DEP Program Offers Boatload of Benefits - Point of Beginning, January 21, 2014
2013
CITYLAB
- FEMA Flood Mapping: Enhancing Coordination to Maximize Performance. National Academy of Public Administration -November 8, 2013
- A Huge Laser-Mapping Project Is Redrawing America - Motherboard, September 3, 2013
- How Lasers Will Give the U.S. East Coast Precise New Post-Sandy Maps - The Atlantic, September 3, 2013
- The USGS National Three Dimensional Elevation Program:3DEP - Lidar News, January 26, 2013
- Private Sector Capacity for 3DEP - Mapps, January 15, 2013
The USGS Earth Mapping Resources Initiative and USGS 3D Elevation Program (3DEP), Department of Energy Geothermal Technologies Office, Natural Resources Conservation Services, and Bureau of Land Management have partnered to conduct airborne geophysical and 3DEP lidar surveys over parts of Nevada and California to collect information on undiscovered geothermal, critical mineral, and groundwater resources in the western Great Basin and the Walker Lane region.
Learn more at www.usgs.gov/earthmri
(Public domain.)
Press releases
2020
2019
2017
2016
- USGS Support to the Department of Defense - U.S. Northern Command - Nov. 29, 2016
- Imagery Reveals More Landslides in Western Columbia Gorge - Nov. 4, 2016
- Uncharted: Exploring one of America’s fastest faults - Sept. 7, 2016
2014
- White House fact sheet: Taking Action to Support State, Local, and Tribal Leaders as They Prepare Communities for the Impacts of Climate Change - Jul 16, 2014
- Secretary Jewell Announces New Tribal Climate Resilience Program - DOI, July 16, 2014
- Taking Action to Support State, Local, and Tribal Leaders as They Prepare Communities for the Impacts of Climate Change - The White House, July 16, 2014