79225 ca2020_snt_cruz_dem_m13953 Data Set Published / External 49404 DEMs - partner (no harvest) Project Completed 2020 2026 Original Product: These are Digital Elevation Model (DEM) data for California as part of the required deliverables for the San Mateo RCD-Santa Cruz LiDAR project. Class 2 (ground) LiDAR points in conjunction with the hydro breaklines were used to create a 2 foot hydro-flattened Raster DEM. Original Geographic Extent: Santa Cruz County in California, covering approximately 370 total square miles. Original Dataset Description: The San Mateo RCD-Santa Cruz LiDAR 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, Version 1.3. The data were collected based on a horizontal projection/datum of NAD 1983 2011 State Plane California III FIPS 0403 Ft US, Foot US and vertical datum of NAVD88 Geoid 12b, Foot US. LiDAR data were delivered as processed Classified LAS 1.4 files formatted to 1804 individual 2500 ft x 2500 ft tiles, as tiled intensity imagery, and as tiled bare earth DEMs; all tiled to the same 2500 ft x 2500 ft schema. Continuous breaklines were produced in Esri file geodatabase format. Ground Conditions: LiDAR was collected in spring 2020, 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, Quantum Spatial, Inc. utilized a total of 23 ground control points that were used to calibrate the LiDAR to known ground locations established throughout the project area. An additional 52 independent accuracy checkpoints, 28 in Bare Earth and Urban landcovers (28 NVA points), 24 in Tall Weeds categories (24 VVA points), were used to assess the vertical accuracy of the data. These checkpoints were not used to calibrate or post process the data. This metadata record supports the data entry in the NOAA Digital Coast Data Access Viewer (DAV). For this data set, the DAV is leveraging the GeoTIFF files hosted by USGS on Amazon Web Services. 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. Raster File Type = GeoTIFF; Bit Depth/Pixel Type = 32-bit float; Raster Cell Size = 2 foot; Interpolation or Resampling Technique = Triangulated Irregular Network (TIN), Linear Interpolation, Proprietary; Required Vertical Accuracy = 0.196 Theme Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Science Keywords EARTH SCIENCE > LAND SURFACE > TOPOGRAPHY > TERRAIN ELEVATION Theme Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Science Keywords EARTH SCIENCE > LAND SURFACE > TOPOGRAPHY > TERRAIN ELEVATION > DIGITAL ELEVATION/TERRAIN MODEL (DEM) Theme Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Science Keywords EARTH SCIENCE > OCEANS > COASTAL PROCESSES > COASTAL ELEVATION Theme ISO 19115 Topic Category elevation Spatial Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Location Keywords CONTINENT > NORTH AMERICA > UNITED STATES OF AMERICA Spatial Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Location Keywords CONTINENT > NORTH AMERICA > UNITED STATES OF AMERICA > CALIFORNIA Spatial Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Location Keywords VERTICAL LOCATION > LAND SURFACE Instrument Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Instrument Keywords LIDAR > Light Detection and Ranging Platform Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Platform Keywords Airplane > Airplane Office for Coastal Management Charleston SC Data Set Elevation None Planned Model (digital) Any conclusions drawn from the analysis of this information are not the responsibility of Quantum Spatial, Inc., San Mateo RCD, USGS, NOAA, the Office for Coastal Management or its partners. San Mateo RCD, USGS, Quantum Spatial, Inc. Data Steward 2026 Organization NOAA Office for Coastal Management NOAA/OCM coastal.info@noaa.gov 2234 South Hobson Ave Charleston SC 29405-2413 (843) 740-1202 https://coast.noaa.gov NOAA Office for Coastal Management Home Page Online Resource Distributor 2026 Organization NOAA Office for Coastal Management NOAA/OCM coastal.info@noaa.gov 2234 South Hobson Ave Charleston SC 29405-2413 (843) 740-1202 https://coast.noaa.gov NOAA Office for Coastal Management Home Page Online Resource Distributor 2021 Organization U.S. Geological Survey 12201 Sunrise Valley Drive Reston VA 20191 USA https://usgs.gov USGS Home Home page for USGS Online Resource Metadata Contact 2026 Organization NOAA Office for Coastal Management NOAA/OCM coastal.info@noaa.gov 2234 South Hobson Ave Charleston SC 29405-2413 (843) 740-1202 https://coast.noaa.gov NOAA Office for Coastal Management Home Page Online Resource Point of Contact 2026 Organization NOAA Office for Coastal Management NOAA/OCM coastal.info@noaa.gov 2234 South Hobson Ave Charleston SC 29405-2413 (843) 740-1202 https://coast.noaa.gov NOAA Office for Coastal Management Home Page Online Resource Ground Condition -122.331534908 -121.635387261 37.2409701991 36.8418530658 Range 2020-03-22 2020-04-15 2 Foot Yes No No No No Vertical EPSG:6360 NAVD88 height (ftUS) North American Vertical Datum 1988 1 Gravity-related height H US survey foot up Projected EPSG:6420 NAD83(2011) / California zone 3 (ftUS) NAD83 (National Spatial Reference System 2011) GRS 1980 1 Easting X US Survey ft East 2 Northing Y US Survey ft North Unclassified Data is available online for bulk and custom downloads. None Users should be aware that temporal changes may have occurred since this data set was collected and some parts of this data may no longer represent actual surface conditions. Users should not use this data for critical applications without a full awareness of its limitations. https://coast.noaa.gov/dataviewer/#/lidar/search/where:ID=13953/details/13953 2026 Organization NOAA Office for Coastal Management Customized Download Create custom data files by choosing data area, map projection, file format, etc. A new metadata will be produced to reflect your request using this record as a base. Zip Not Applicable Zip https://prd-tnm.s3.amazonaws.com/index.html?prefix=StagedProducts/Elevation/OPR/Projects/CA_SantaCruzCounty_2020_A20/CA_SantaCruzCounty_2020/TIFF/ 2021 Organization U.S. Geological Survey Bulk Download Bulk download of data files in GeoTIFF format, CA State Plane 3 NAD83(2011) US feet coordinates and elevations in NAVD88 (Geoid12B), feet. LAZ GeoTIFF https://noaa-nos-coastal-lidar-pds.s3.amazonaws.com/laz/geoid18/9209/supplemental/ca2020_santa_cruz_m9209.kmz Browse graphic Browse Graphic KML This graphic displays the footprint for this lidar data set. https://coast.noaa.gov/dataviewer/ NOAA's Office for Coastal Management (OCM) Data Access Viewer (DAV) Online Resource HTML The Data Access Viewer (DAV) allows a user to search for and download elevation, imagery, and land cover data for the coastal U.S. and its territories. The data, hosted by the NOAA Office for Coastal Management, can be customized and requested for free download through a checkout interface. An email provides a link to the customized data, while the original data set is available through a link within the viewer. https://noaa-nos-coastal-lidar-pds.s3.amazonaws.com/laz/geoid18/9209/breaklines/ Breaklines Online Resource Link to the breaklines https://noaa-nos-coastal-lidar-pds.s3.amazonaws.com/laz/geoid18/9209/supplemental/CA_SantaCruzCounty_2020_A20_WP_Report.pdf USGS Work Package Report Online Resource pdf Link to the USGS work package report that provides project information, vertical accuracy results, classifications used, sensors used, and work unit information. https://noaa-nos-coastal-lidar-pds.s3.amazonaws.com/laz/geoid18/9209/supplemental/SanMateo_SantaCruz_ProjectReportUSGS.pdf Dataset report Online Resource PDF Link to data set report. MicroStation Connect; TerraScan Version 20.011; TerraModeler Version 20.004; GeoCue Version 2017.1.14.1; Esri ArcGIS 10.6; Global Mapper 19/20; RiProcess 1.8.5; Windows 10 Operating System \\point_cloud\tilecls\*.las The specifications require that only non-vegetated vertical accuracy (NVA) be computed for raw LiDAR data swath files. The vertical accuracy was tested with 28 independent survey points located in open terrain. These check points were not used in the calibration or post processing of the LiDAR data. The survey check points were distributed throughout the project area. The 28 independent check points were surveyed using GPS techniques. See survey report for additional survey methodologies. Elevations from the unclassified LiDAR surface were measured for the x,y location of each checkpoint. Elevations interpolated from the LiDAR surface were then compared to the elevation values of the surveyed control points. The root mean square error vertical (RMSEz) was computed to be 0.0391 meters. AccuracyZ has been tested to meet 19.0 cm NVA at 95-percent confidence level using (RMSEz * 1.9600) as defined by the National Standards for Spatial Data Accuracy (NSSDA); assessed and reported using American Society of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (ASPRS) Guidelines. USGS Determined DEM Vertical Accuracy NVA =7.61 cm at 95% Confidence Level (3.9 cm RMSE) VVA = 20.59 cm at 95th Percentile Datasets contain complete coverage of tiles. No points have been removed or excluded. A visual qualitative assessment was performed to ensure data completeness. There are no void areas or missing data. The raw point cloud is of good quality and data pass Non-Vegetated Vertical Accuracy specifications. Data cover the entire area specified for this project. Yes Unknown Yes NCEI-CO Data is backed up to tape and to cloud storage. The NOAA Office for Coastal Management (OCM) ingested references to the USGS GeoTIFF files that are hosted on Amazon Web Services (AWS), into the Digital Coast Data Access Viewer (DAV). The DAV accesses the raster data as it resides on AWS. Ground Control for the San Mateo RCD-Santa Cruz LiDAR Project Organization Quantum Spatial, Inc. Originator 2020-09-08 Discrete 2020-05-11 This data source was used (along with airborne GPS/IMU data) to georeference the LiDAR point cloud data. USGS AWS GeoTIFF Files - CA_SantaCruzCounty_2020 Organization USGS Publisher https://prd-tnm.s3.amazonaws.com/index.html?prefix=StagedProducts/Elevation/OPR/Projects/CA_SantaCruzCounty_2020_A20/CA_SantaCruzCounty_2020/TIFF/ USGS AWS GeoTIFF Files for CA_SantaCruzCounty_2020 1 Raw Data and Boresight Processing: The boresight for each lift was done individually as the solution may change slightly from lift to lift. The following steps describe the Raw Data Processing and Boresight process: 1) Technicians processed the raw data to LAS format flight lines using the final GPS/IMU solution. This LAS data set was used as source data for boresight. 2) Technicians first used Quantum Spatial, Inc. proprietary and commercial software to calculate initial boresight adjustment angles based on sample areas selected in the lift. These areas cover calibration flight lines collected in the lift, cross tie, and production flight lines. These areas are well distributed in the lift coverage and cover multiple terrain types that are necessary for boresight angle calculation. The technicians then analyzed the results and made any necessary additional adjustment until it was acceptable for the selected areas. 3) Once the boresight angle calculation was completed for the selected areas, the adjusted settings were applied to all of the flight lines of the lift and checked for consistency. The technicians utilized commercial and proprietary software packages to analyze how well flight line overlaps matched for the entire lift and adjusted as necessary until the results met the project specifications. 4) Once all lifts were completed with individual boresight adjustment, the technicians checked and corrected the vertical misalignment of all flight lines and also the matching between data and ground truth. The relative accuracy was less than or equal to 7 cm RMSEz within individual swaths and less than or equal to 10 cm RMSEz or within swath overlap (between adjacent swaths). 5) The technicians ran a final vertical accuracy check of the boresighted flight lines against the surveyed checkpoints after the z correction to ensure the requirement of NVA = 19.6 cm 95% Confidence Level (Required Accuracy) was met. 2020-01-01T00:00:00 2 LAS Point Classification: The point classification was performed as described below. The bare earth surface was manually reviewed to ensure correct classification on the Class 2 (Ground) points. After the bare-earth surface was finalized, it was then used to generate all hydro-breaklines through heads-up digitization. All ground (ASPRS Class 2) LiDAR data inside of the Lake Pond and Double Line Drain hydro-flattened breaklines were then classified to Water (ASPRS Class 9) using TerraScan macro functionality. A buffer of 1 meter was also used around each hydro-flattened feature to classify these ground (ASPRS Class 2) points to Ignored ground (ASPRS Class 20). All Lake Pond Island and Double Line Drain Island features were checked to ensure that the ground (ASPRS Class 2) points were reclassified to the correct classification after the automated classification was completed. All overlap data was processed through automated functionality provided by TerraScan to classify the overlapping flight line data to approved classes. The overlap data was classified using standard LAS overlap bit. These classes were created through automated processes only and were not verified for classification accuracy. Due to software limitations within TerraScan, these classes were used to trip the withheld bit within various software packages. These processes were reviewed and accepted through numerous conference calls and pilot study areas. All data were manually reviewed and any remaining artifacts removed using functionality provided by TerraScan and TerraModeler. Global Mapper was used as a final check of the bare earth dataset. GeoCue was then used to create the deliverable industry-standard LAS files for both the All Point Cloud Data and the Bare Earth. Quantum Spatial, Inc. proprietary software was used to perform final statistical analysis of the classes in the LAS files, on a per tile level to verify final classification metrics and full LAS header information. 2020-01-01T00:00:00 3 Hydro-Flattened Raster DEM Processing: Class 2 (Ground) LiDAR points in conjunction with the hydro-breaklines were used to create a 2 foot hydro-flattened raster DEM. Using automated scripting routines within ArcMap, GeoTIFF files were created for each tile. Each surface was reviewed using Global Mapper to check for any surface anomalies or incorrect elevations found within the surface. 2020-01-01T00:00:00 4 The NOAA Office for Coastal Management (OCM) created references to the USGS GeoTIFF files that were ingested into the NOAA Digital Coast Data Access Viewer (DAV). No changes were made to the data. The DAV will access the raster data as it resides on Amazon Web Services (AWS). These are the GeoTIFF files that are being accessed: https://prd-tnm.s3.amazonaws.com/index.html?prefix=StagedProducts/Elevation/OPR/Projects/CA_SantaCruzCounty_2020_A20/CA_SantaCruzCounty_2020/TIFF/ 2026-02-03T00:00:00 Organization Office for Coastal Management OCM https://ror.org/05v14bq57 2234 South Hobson Avenue Charleston SC 29405-2413 https://www.coast.noaa.gov/ 63258 Data Set Cross Reference gov.noaa.nmfs.inport:79225 Rebecca Mataosky 2026-02-03T16:39:02 SysAdmin InPortAdmin 2026-03-04T19:17:17 2026-02-03 OCM Partners OCMP 1002 Public No No 2022-03-16 1 Year 2023-03-16