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How do I find the average elevation of a city, town, county, or other civil division?

Average (or mean) elevations for civil divisions are not available from the USGS.   

You can, however, find the elevation at the center of a civil division using the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS): 

Go to the GNIS Search Domestic Names. 

  • Select "Search Domestic Names" 

  • In the Name box, type the city, town, county, etc. name (for example, “Stanley,” “Richmond,” "Madison County")

  • In the "Feature Classes" option, select "Civil"

  • Under "Feature", select the appropriate state and county

  • Click "Query"

  • Once the entry is displayed, click on “Details” to view the Summary Report to see the elevation at the center of the civil division

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As of 2022, the absolute vertical accuracy of the 3D Elevation Program (3DEP) 1/3 arc-second seamless DEM product within the conterminous United States is approximately 0.82 meters root mean square error (RMSE), based on a comparison to almost 25,000 NOAA National Geodetic Survey OPUS points. Accuracy has improved from a RMSE of 1.55 meters tested in 2013, due to the addition of lidar projects...

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What is the vertical accuracy of the 3D Elevation Program (3DEP) DEMs?

As of 2022, the absolute vertical accuracy of the 3D Elevation Program (3DEP) 1/3 arc-second seamless DEM product within the conterminous United States is approximately 0.82 meters root mean square error (RMSE), based on a comparison to almost 25,000 NOAA National Geodetic Survey OPUS points. Accuracy has improved from a RMSE of 1.55 meters tested in 2013, due to the addition of lidar projects...

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What is the projection, horizontal datum, vertical datum, and resolution for a USGS digital elevation model (DEM)?

Projection:  3DEP DEMS have different projections/coordinate systems depending on the product: 1/3-, 1-, and 2-arc-second (also the discontinued 1/9-arc-second) DEMs are not projected. They are all in geographic coordinates (latitude/longitude). 5-meter DEMs (Alaska only) are Alaska Albers Equal Area. 1-meter DEMs are in Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM). Original Product Resolution (OPR) DEMs –...

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Where can I find 3D Elevation Program (3DEP) product updates and status maps?

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Where can I find 3D Elevation Program (3DEP) product updates and status maps?

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At what scales are contours visible in The National Map Viewer?

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At what scales are contours visible in The National Map Viewer?

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Related Content

  • FAQ
    link
    Lidar data of the Gulf Islands, Florida

    What is the vertical accuracy of the 3D Elevation Program (3DEP) DEMs?

    As of 2022, the absolute vertical accuracy of the 3D Elevation Program (3DEP) 1/3 arc-second seamless DEM product within the conterminous United States is approximately 0.82 meters root mean square error (RMSE), based on a comparison to almost 25,000 NOAA National Geodetic Survey OPUS points. Accuracy has improved from a RMSE of 1.55 meters tested in 2013, due to the addition of lidar projects...

    link

    What is the vertical accuracy of the 3D Elevation Program (3DEP) DEMs?

    As of 2022, the absolute vertical accuracy of the 3D Elevation Program (3DEP) 1/3 arc-second seamless DEM product within the conterminous United States is approximately 0.82 meters root mean square error (RMSE), based on a comparison to almost 25,000 NOAA National Geodetic Survey OPUS points. Accuracy has improved from a RMSE of 1.55 meters tested in 2013, due to the addition of lidar projects...

    Learn More
    link
    Alaska IfSAR Elevation Image

    What is the projection, horizontal datum, vertical datum, and resolution for a USGS digital elevation model (DEM)?

    Projection:  3DEP DEMS have different projections/coordinate systems depending on the product: 1/3-, 1-, and 2-arc-second (also the discontinued 1/9-arc-second) DEMs are not projected. They are all in geographic coordinates (latitude/longitude). 5-meter DEMs (Alaska only) are Alaska Albers Equal Area. 1-meter DEMs are in Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM). Original Product Resolution (OPR) DEMs –...

    link

    What is the projection, horizontal datum, vertical datum, and resolution for a USGS digital elevation model (DEM)?

    Projection:  3DEP DEMS have different projections/coordinate systems depending on the product: 1/3-, 1-, and 2-arc-second (also the discontinued 1/9-arc-second) DEMs are not projected. They are all in geographic coordinates (latitude/longitude). 5-meter DEMs (Alaska only) are Alaska Albers Equal Area. 1-meter DEMs are in Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM). Original Product Resolution (OPR) DEMs –...

    Learn More
    link
    Map of Fiscal Year 2020 status of 3D Elevation Program (3DEP) quality data, as of September 2020

    Where can I find 3D Elevation Program (3DEP) product updates and status maps?

    3D Elevation Program (3DEP) product updates and status maps are available at these sites: Updates The National Map Data Delivery News Subscribe to Simple Notification Services to receive emails regarding changes to the status of The National Map Services Status Maps The National Map Download Client – Click “Show” below each elevation product LidarExplorer – Lidar point cloud only DEM Availability...

    link

    Where can I find 3D Elevation Program (3DEP) product updates and status maps?

    3D Elevation Program (3DEP) product updates and status maps are available at these sites: Updates The National Map Data Delivery News Subscribe to Simple Notification Services to receive emails regarding changes to the status of The National Map Services Status Maps The National Map Download Client – Click “Show” below each elevation product LidarExplorer – Lidar point cloud only DEM Availability...

    Learn More
    link
    Improved Topo Base map of the Glacier Peak WA area

    At what scales are contours visible in The National Map Viewer?

    In the default base map for The National Map Advanced Viewer: 500-foot contours are visible at a scale of 1:578,000 (zoom level 10) 100-foot contours are visible at scales of 1:289,000-1:144,000 (zoom level 11-12) 50-foot contours are visible at a scale of 1:72,000 (zoom level 13) Large scale contours are visible at scales from 1:36,000-1:9,000 (zoom levels 14-16)

    link

    At what scales are contours visible in The National Map Viewer?

    In the default base map for The National Map Advanced Viewer: 500-foot contours are visible at a scale of 1:578,000 (zoom level 10) 100-foot contours are visible at scales of 1:289,000-1:144,000 (zoom level 11-12) 50-foot contours are visible at a scale of 1:72,000 (zoom level 13) Large scale contours are visible at scales from 1:36,000-1:9,000 (zoom levels 14-16)

    Learn More
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    video thumbnail: Elevation link
  • Publications

    The 3D Elevation Program—Supporting California's Economy

    IntroductionCalifornia faces unprecedented challenges presented by shifting weather patterns that are defining a “new normal.” The result has been extreme weather events, prolonged drought, flooding, and debris flows. These conditions drive severe tree mortality, increase wildfire occurrence and intensity, reduce water availability, and hasten subsidence in groundwater basins. Collectively, these
    Authors
    Carol L. Ostergren, Drew Decker, William J. Carswell,
    By
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    Comparing methods used by the U.S. Geological Survey Coastal and Marine Geology Program for deriving shoreline position from lidar data

    The U.S. Geological Survey Coastal and Marine Geology Program uses three methods to derive a datum-based, mean high water shoreline on open-ocean coasts from light detection and ranging (lidar) elevation surveys. This work compared the shorelines produced by the three methods for two different surveys: one survey with simple beach morphology, and one survey with complex beach morphology. For the s
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    Amy S. Farris, Kathryn M. Weber, Kara S. Doran, Jeffrey H. List
    By
    Natural Hazards Mission Area, Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center

    The 3D Elevation Program—Flood risk management

    Flood-damage reduction in the United States has been a longstanding but elusive societal goal. The national strategy for reducing flood damage has shifted over recent decades from a focus on construction of flood-control dams and levee systems to a three-pronged strategy to (1) improve the design and operation of such structures, (2) provide more accurate and accessible flood forecasting, and (3)
    Authors
    William J. Carswell,, Vicki Lukas
    By
    Groundwater and Streamflow Information Program, National Geospatial Program, 3D Elevation Program

    3D Elevation Program—Virtual USA in 3D

    The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) 3D Elevation Program (3DEP) uses a laser system called ‘lidar’ (light detection and ranging) to create a virtual reality map of the Nation that is very accurate. 3D maps have many uses with new uses being discovered all the time.  
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    Read Article
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    Read Article
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    Read Article