High resolution natural color and light detection and ranging (LiDAR) collected by uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) for mapping forest health post forest thinning at Sawmill Springs in the Kaibab National Forest, AZ, 2025

The U.S. Geological Survey collected low-altitude airborne natural color imagery and LIDAR data via a fixed-wing uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) for mapping Sawmill Springs area in the Kaibab National Forest in Arizona. Visual imagery was collected in joint photographic experts group (jpg) (for color imagery) format and Structure-from-Motion (SfM) photogrammetry techniques were applied to derive high-resolution natural color orthomosaics, digital surface model (DSM) and colorized pointcloud of the study area in August 2025. Ground control points (GCPs), which are temporary targets on the ground located by using a real-time kinematic global navigation satellite system (RTK-GNSS) base station and rover, were used in georectification in the SfM process. Agisoft Metashape Professional (v. 2.1.3 build 18946) was used to create a 4cm resolution natural color orthomosaic, a DSM and point cloud for the data collected in August 2025. Aerial LiDAR data was collected and processed in the Wintra LiDAR App to produce an unclassified LiDAR pointcloud.