LiDAR (Light Detection And Ranging) is a technology that can be used as a topographic survey for many projects, including wetland creation.

Flying LiDAR creates a datafile of elevation points hundreds of times more extensive than anything available from field surveying. This image shows an example of a project site and all of the LiDAR points associated with that site.

LiDAR data can then be used to create contour lines at the required interval (these lines are 1 foot contours)

This data has been used to design wetlands, design stormwater plans, evaluate watersheds, map floodplains and has dozens of other uses yet to be utilized.

It can even help a project manager visualize what the land actually looks like with the use of GIS. This image comes from making a 3D image of the LiDAR points and overlaying the aerial photos.

Here are the points used to create the image in the previous slide

LiDAR can also be used to help develop an accurate view of the watershed in which you are working.

3D

Compared to a 2D

View

Potential Wetland Site

Slopes can be exaggerated to help you visualize the actual direction of water movement.