Pennsylvania Spatial Data Access

Abstract:

Product: Contours with a 2 foot interval in Esri file geodatabase format.
Geographic Extent: 44 counties in Pennsylvania, covering approximately 8751 total square miles.
Dataset Description: The PA_17County_2024 project called for the planning, acquisition, processing, and derivative products of lidar data to be collected at a nominal pulse spacing (NPS) of 0.35 meters. Project specifications are based on the U.S. Geological Survey National Geospatial Program Base LiDAR Specification, 2024 Rev. A. The data were developed based on a horizontal projection/datum of NAD 1983 2011 StatePlane Pennsylvania South FIPS 3702 Ft US, Foot US and vertical datum of NAVD88 Geoid 18, Foot US. LiDAR data were delivered as processed Classified LAS 1.4 files formatted to 37924 individual 2500 ft x 2500 ft tiles. All rasters were tiled to a 5000 ft x 5000 ft schema. Continuous breaklines were produced in shapefile format.
Ground Conditions: LiDAR was collected in spring 2024 through spring 2025, while no snow was on the ground and rivers were at or below normal levels. In order to post process the LiDAR data to meet task order specifications and meet ASPRS vertical accuracy guidelines, NV5 Geospatial utilized a total of 119 ground control points that were used to calibrate the LiDAR to known ground locations established throughout the project area. An additional 153 independent accuracy checkpoints, 123 in Bare Earth and Urban landcovers (123 NVA points), 30 in Tall Weeds categories (30 VVA points), were used to assess the vertical accuracy of the data. These checkpoints were not used to calibrate or post process the data.

Purpose:

To acquire detailed surface elevation data for use in conservation planning, design, research, floodplain mapping, dam safety assessments and elevation modeling, etc. Classified LAS files are used to show the manually reviewed bare earth surface. This allows the user to create intensity images, breaklines and raster DEMs. The purpose of these LiDAR data was to produce high accuracy 3D hydro-flattened digital elevation models (DEMs) with a 2 foot cell size. These raw LiDAR point cloud data were used to create classified LiDAR LAS files, intensity images, 3D breaklines, and hydro-flattened DEMs as necessary.

Supplemental_Information:

CONTRACTOR: NV5 Geospatial

Currentness_Reference:

Ground condition

Use_Constraints:

None. However, users should be aware that temporal changes may have occurred since this dataset was collected and that some parts of these data may no longer represent actual surface conditions. Users should not use these data for critical applications without a full awareness of their limitations. Acknowledgement of the organization providing these data to the public would be appreciated for products derived from these data.

Logical_Consistency_Report:

Data cover the entire area specified for this project.

Completeness_Report:

All files are inspected to ensure that they conform to the specified file naming conventions, all files load in their correct geographic position, all files conform to the project specifications for file standard and content.

Process_Description:

Contour Processing: Using automated scripting routines within ArcMap, a terrain surface was created using the ground (ASPRS Class 2) LiDAR data as well as the hydro-flattened breaklines. This surface was then used to generate the final 2 foot contour dataset in Esri File Geodatabase format.

Address:

115 Land and Water research building

Distribution_Liability:

The USER shall indemnify, save harmless, and, if requested, defend those parties involved with the development and distribution of this data, their officers, agents, and employees from and against any suits, claims, or actions for injury, death, or property damage arising out of the use of or any defect in the FILES or any accompanying documentation. Those parties involved with the development and distribution excluded any and all implied warranties, including warranties or merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose and makes no warranty or representation, either express or implied, with respect to the FILES or accompanying documentation, including its quality, performance, merchantability, or fitness for a particular purpose. The FILES and documentation are provided "as is" and the USER assumes the entire risk as to its quality and performance. Those parties involved with the development and distribution of this data will not be liable for any direct, indirect, special, incidental, or consequential damages arising out of the use or inability to use the FILES or any accompanying documentation.

Address:

523 Wellington Way

PA_17County_2024; Contours