Topobathymetric digital elevation model of the Kootenai River, Idaho. Image was created by Cindy Thatcher.
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 over the years.
The vertical accuracy of the 3DEP dynamic elevation service, which is a web coverage service (WCS) that includes multiple resolutions of DEMs (including 1-m resolution lidar-based DEMs where available), currently has a RMSE of 0.53 meters.
It is important to note that the vertical accuracy actually varies significantly across the U.S. because of differences in source quality, terrain relief, land cover, and other factors.
Learn more: The accuracy and consistency of 3D Elevation Program data: A systematic analysis
Related
What data sources are used to produce the 3D Elevation Program (3DEP) DEMs? What data sources are used to produce the 3D Elevation Program (3DEP) DEMs?
The USGS 3D Elevation Program (3DEP) is in the process of collecting high-quality lidar and IfSAR (for Alaska) coverage for all of the United States and its territories. As this new data becomes available, legacy Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) are being systematically replaced with high-resolution DEMs produced almost entirely from the lidar and ifsar data. Legacy DEMs were produced from...
How do I report errors in 3D Elevation Program (3DEP) elevation data? How do I report errors in 3D Elevation Program (3DEP) elevation data?
If you think you’ve found an error in USGS elevation data, please send an email to tnm_help@usgs.gov. We will add the reported information to our "Digital Elevation Model Issues" data log for further analysis and possible correction. Spikes, pits, seam-line anomalies, and other data errors are of concern to us. We are working to correct or minimize known issues, but it will take some time. Errors...
What is the difference between lidar data and a digital elevation model (DEM)? What is the difference between lidar data and a digital elevation model (DEM)?
Light detection and ranging (lidar) data are collected from aircraft using sensors that detect the reflections of a pulsed laser beam. The reflections are recorded as millions of individual points, collectively called a “point cloud,” that represent the 3D positions of objects on the surface including buildings, vegetation, and the ground. Digital elevation models ( DEMs) are one of many products...
How accurate are elevations generated by the Elevation Point Query Service in The National Map? How accurate are elevations generated by the Elevation Point Query Service in The National Map?
The National Map’s Elevation Point Query Service (EPQS) returns elevations that are interpolated from the 3DEP dynamic elevation service. This is a web coverage service (WCS) that includes multiple resolutions of DEMs including 1 meter resolution lidar-based DEMs where available, and 1/3 arc-second seamless DEMs. The accuracy of the elevations returned by EPQS will vary according to the source...
Topobathymetric digital elevation model of the Kootenai River, Idaho.
Topobathymetric digital elevation model of the Kootenai River, Idaho. Image was created by Cindy Thatcher.
Preliminary topobathymetric digital elevation model of the Santiam River, OR.
Image of a preliminary topobathymetric digital elevation model captured of the of the Santiam River, OR.
Image of a preliminary topobathymetric digital elevation model captured of the of the Santiam River, OR.
Lidar-derived digital surface and elevation models of a stream channel
The above image is a rendering of a lidar-derived digital surface model overlaying a digital elevation model of a forested stream channel in central Iowa. The vegetation makes optical identification of the presence of water in channels difficult.
The above image is a rendering of a lidar-derived digital surface model overlaying a digital elevation model of a forested stream channel in central Iowa. The vegetation makes optical identification of the presence of water in channels difficult.
Digital Elevation Model of Bitterroot National Forest
A Digital Elevation Model (DEM) of a section of Bitterroot National Forest.
A Digital Elevation Model (DEM) of a section of Bitterroot National Forest.
Crater Lake combined digital elevation and bathymetric map showing ...
Crater Lake partially fills the caldera that formed approximately 7,700 years ago during the eruption of a 12,000-ft-high volcano known as Mount Mazama.
Crater Lake partially fills the caldera that formed approximately 7,700 years ago during the eruption of a 12,000-ft-high volcano known as Mount Mazama.
Elevation
The National Elevation Dataset (NED) is the primary elevation data product produced and distributed by the USGS National 3D Elevation Program (3DEP). The NED provides seamless raster elevation data of the conterminous United States, Alaska, Hawaii, and the island territories.
The National Elevation Dataset (NED) is the primary elevation data product produced and distributed by the USGS National 3D Elevation Program (3DEP). The NED provides seamless raster elevation data of the conterminous United States, Alaska, Hawaii, and the island territories.
PubTalk 11/2010 — Silicon, Software, and Science
Monitoring the Earth's Landscape with Low-Cost High-Tech
by Rian Bogle, Remote Sensing Specialist
Monitoring the Earth's Landscape with Low-Cost High-Tech
by Rian Bogle, Remote Sensing Specialist
Related
What data sources are used to produce the 3D Elevation Program (3DEP) DEMs? What data sources are used to produce the 3D Elevation Program (3DEP) DEMs?
The USGS 3D Elevation Program (3DEP) is in the process of collecting high-quality lidar and IfSAR (for Alaska) coverage for all of the United States and its territories. As this new data becomes available, legacy Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) are being systematically replaced with high-resolution DEMs produced almost entirely from the lidar and ifsar data. Legacy DEMs were produced from...
How do I report errors in 3D Elevation Program (3DEP) elevation data? How do I report errors in 3D Elevation Program (3DEP) elevation data?
If you think you’ve found an error in USGS elevation data, please send an email to tnm_help@usgs.gov. We will add the reported information to our "Digital Elevation Model Issues" data log for further analysis and possible correction. Spikes, pits, seam-line anomalies, and other data errors are of concern to us. We are working to correct or minimize known issues, but it will take some time. Errors...
What is the difference between lidar data and a digital elevation model (DEM)? What is the difference between lidar data and a digital elevation model (DEM)?
Light detection and ranging (lidar) data are collected from aircraft using sensors that detect the reflections of a pulsed laser beam. The reflections are recorded as millions of individual points, collectively called a “point cloud,” that represent the 3D positions of objects on the surface including buildings, vegetation, and the ground. Digital elevation models ( DEMs) are one of many products...
How accurate are elevations generated by the Elevation Point Query Service in The National Map? How accurate are elevations generated by the Elevation Point Query Service in The National Map?
The National Map’s Elevation Point Query Service (EPQS) returns elevations that are interpolated from the 3DEP dynamic elevation service. This is a web coverage service (WCS) that includes multiple resolutions of DEMs including 1 meter resolution lidar-based DEMs where available, and 1/3 arc-second seamless DEMs. The accuracy of the elevations returned by EPQS will vary according to the source...
Topobathymetric digital elevation model of the Kootenai River, Idaho.
Topobathymetric digital elevation model of the Kootenai River, Idaho. Image was created by Cindy Thatcher.
Topobathymetric digital elevation model of the Kootenai River, Idaho. Image was created by Cindy Thatcher.
Preliminary topobathymetric digital elevation model of the Santiam River, OR.
Image of a preliminary topobathymetric digital elevation model captured of the of the Santiam River, OR.
Image of a preliminary topobathymetric digital elevation model captured of the of the Santiam River, OR.
Lidar-derived digital surface and elevation models of a stream channel
The above image is a rendering of a lidar-derived digital surface model overlaying a digital elevation model of a forested stream channel in central Iowa. The vegetation makes optical identification of the presence of water in channels difficult.
The above image is a rendering of a lidar-derived digital surface model overlaying a digital elevation model of a forested stream channel in central Iowa. The vegetation makes optical identification of the presence of water in channels difficult.
Digital Elevation Model of Bitterroot National Forest
A Digital Elevation Model (DEM) of a section of Bitterroot National Forest.
A Digital Elevation Model (DEM) of a section of Bitterroot National Forest.
Crater Lake combined digital elevation and bathymetric map showing ...
Crater Lake partially fills the caldera that formed approximately 7,700 years ago during the eruption of a 12,000-ft-high volcano known as Mount Mazama.
Crater Lake partially fills the caldera that formed approximately 7,700 years ago during the eruption of a 12,000-ft-high volcano known as Mount Mazama.
Elevation
The National Elevation Dataset (NED) is the primary elevation data product produced and distributed by the USGS National 3D Elevation Program (3DEP). The NED provides seamless raster elevation data of the conterminous United States, Alaska, Hawaii, and the island territories.
The National Elevation Dataset (NED) is the primary elevation data product produced and distributed by the USGS National 3D Elevation Program (3DEP). The NED provides seamless raster elevation data of the conterminous United States, Alaska, Hawaii, and the island territories.
PubTalk 11/2010 — Silicon, Software, and Science
Monitoring the Earth's Landscape with Low-Cost High-Tech
by Rian Bogle, Remote Sensing Specialist
Monitoring the Earth's Landscape with Low-Cost High-Tech
by Rian Bogle, Remote Sensing Specialist
Updated Date: June 3, 2025