Project 2 - LiDAR / Hydro Prepare

GIS 4930

This week I prepared for my next project.  Project 2 had us first sign up with a group.  When the lab began I was working with LiDAR, Digital Elevations Models (DEM's), and Hydrology to better understand how LAS datasets are set up in ArcGIS.  I began our lab with understanding how to find LiDAR data from the USGS website, and quickly moved into understanding how the LAS Dataset toolbar operated.  Some of the 3D modeling is really fascinating and I enjoyed working with it.  Ultimately I was shown how to create a raster from a LiDAR image.  Even though I didn't have to do this in the lab, the instructions were provided so that it can be referred to in the future.

The next lab was more focused around our group and processing the hydrology of our study area based on the DEM's provided to the group.  I learned how to create a stream feature based off of the DEM data utilizing hydrology tools within ArcGIS.  There are six basic steps that should be done in order to achieve this: 

1: Run the Fill tool

2: Run the Flow Direction tool

3: Run the Flow Accumulation tool

4: Calculate the 1% of the pixels

5: Run the Con tool

6: Stream to Feature tool

Finally I was able to create a basin by utilizing the basin tool.  The basins and streams can be seen in the above map.  Basins identify a watershed, meaning runnoff within that polygon will make its way to the stream feature identified within the polygon.