Step-by-Step Guide to Downloading Lidar DEMs and Point Clouds Anywhere In The United States

Step 1: Access the USGS National Map

Begin by navigating to the USGS National Map Viewer. This is where you will find and download the data you need.

Step 2: Locate Data Download Options

On the National Map interface, look for the option labeled “TNN Topography” and click on it to access the data download section.

Step 3: Select Elevation Products

In the data download section, scroll down to find “Elevation Products” and select “3DEP” for one-meter data. Click the “Show” button to visualize where the data is available.

Step 4: Zoom in to Desired Area

Zoom into the area of interest on the map. 

Step 5: Search for Products

With the area selected, click on “Search Products.” This will pull up a list of available tiles for download.

Step 6: Download the DEM

Select a DEM tile and click the download link. You will be prompted to save the file to your computer. It is advisable to create a dedicated folder for your lidar data.

Step 7: Download the Lidar Point Cloud

After downloading the DEM, return to the datasets section, uncheck elevation products, and check the elevation source data option to select the Lidar point cloud. Click “Show” to visualize the data coverage.

Step 8: Search and Download the Point Cloud

Once you search for products here, find the corresponding point cloud associated with your DEM and download it in LAZ format.

Step 9: Open QGIS and Load the DEM

After downloading both files, open QGIS. Navigate to the location where you saved the DEM file and load it into the software.

Step 10: Adjust Symbology in QGIS

Once the DEM is loaded, you may need to adjust the symbology settings to visualize the topography effectively. Set the minimum and maximum values to filter out no data values for better contrast.

FAQ

• What is a Lidar DEM? A Lidar Digital Elevation Model (DEM) is a raster representation of the Earth’s surface derived from Lidar data, providing high-resolution elevation information.
• How do I access the USGS National Map? Visit USGS National Map Viewer to start downloading elevation products.
• What software is recommended for visualizing Lidar data? QGIS is a popular open-source GIS application that allows for the visualization and analysis of Lidar data.