Topographic data, aerial imagery, and GPS data collected during uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) operations at Assateague Island National Seashore, Berlin, Maryland, 2026

The U.S. Geological Survey deployed small uncrewed aircraft systems (sUAS) to collect aerial remote sensing data across two sites within Assateague Island National Seashore (ASIS) where there are planned restoration efforts by the National Park Service (NPS).  Natural-color (RGB) aerial imagery and raw lidar data were collected over the course of 3 days in March 2026 during the "leaf-off" season, when lidar is best able to penetrate vegetation canopy.  These datasets were processed to produce high resolution digital terrain and surface models (DTM and DSM), natural-color image mosaics, and lidar point clouds (LPC).  Black and white cross-coded check points (CP) were surveyed using Real Time Kinematic (RTK) GPS and RTK-GPS enabled AeroPoints for validation of georeferenced products.  The elevation and imagery products were produced to inform partners at the NPS of the baseline conditions for restoration management decisions.