dataset · USA

USGS 3DEP Lidar Digital Terrain Model

This collection is derived from the [USGS 3DEP COPC collection](https://planetarycomputer.microsoft.com/dataset/3dep-lidar-copc). It creates a Digital Terrain Model (DTM) using [`pdal.filters.smrf`](https://pdal.io/stages/filters.smrf.html#filters-smrf) to output a collection of Cloud Optimized GeoTIFFs. The Simple Morphological Filter (SMRF) classifies ground points based on the approach outlined in [Pingel2013](https://pdal.io/references.html#pingel2013).

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Source details

Licence: proprietary

Evidence quality: 25.8

Listed in planetary-computer public catalogue API on 2026-10-16; relevance/value screened (haiku).

Metadata checked: 2026-10-14T13:20:00.000Z

What's in it

Data offered llm-inferred: Digital Terrain Model (DTM) derived from USGS 3DEP lidar · ground points classified with SMRF
Coverage llm-inferred: USA
Resolution registry: [2] m
Formats llm-inferred: Cloud Optimized GeoTIFF
Access llm-inferred: No auth listed; licence recorded as 'proprietary' (unverified, check terms before redistribution)

Useful for

Use cases llm-inferred: Bare-earth terrain baseline for flood risk and flow-path analysis · Topographic input for drainage strategy and catchment delineation · Earthworks and cut/fill levels for civils design
Audience llm-inferred: flood consultants · hydrologists · drainage engineers · GIS analysts · civils engineers

Limitations

Constraints llm-inferred: No docs retrieved, so resolution, update frequency and time span are unverified · Coverage limited to USA; not applicable to UK sites · Derived DTM depends on SMRF ground classification and may be less reliable under dense vegetation or urban areas · Licence 'proprietary' conflicts with typical USGS open data and needs checking

Evidence

Check upstream coverage, uncertainty and licence before use. Station observations are not forecasts or design levels.