Abstract
The U.S. Geological Survey has developed a National Elevation Dataset (NED). The NED is a seamless mosaic of best-available elevation data. The 7.5-minute elevation data for the conterminous United States are the primary initial source data. In addition to the availability of complete 7.5-minute data, efficient processing methods were developed to filter production artifacts in the existing data, convert to the NAD83 datum, edge-match, and fill slivers of missing data at quadrangle seams. One of the effects of the NED processing steps is a much-improved base of elevation data for calculating slope and hydrologic derivatives. The specifications for the NED 1 arc second (about 30-meter) and 1/3 arc second (about 10-meter) data are: Geographic coordinate system Horizontal datum of NAD83, except for AK which is NAD27 Vertical datum of NAVD88, except for AK which is NAVD29 Z units of meters. Geospatial elevation data are utilized by the scientific and resource management communities for global change research, hydrologic modeling, resource monitoring, mapping, and visualization applications. These data were provided to the University of Idaho Library on CD/DVD in March of 2000 by Mr. Tracy Fuller, USGS Idaho Mapping Liaison, Boise, Idaho.