Iowa LiDAR Mapping Project

This is collection level metadata for LAS and ASCII data files from the statewide Iowa Lidar Project. The Iowa Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) Project collects location and elevation (X, Y, Z) data to a set standard for the entire state of Iowa. LIDAR is defined as an airborne laser system, flown aboard rotary or fixed-wing aircraft, that is used to acquire x, y, and z coordinates of terrain and terrain features that are both manmade and naturally occurring. LIDAR systems consist of a light-emitting scanning laser, an airborne Global Positioning System (GPS) with attendant GPS base station(s), and an Inertial Measuring Unit (IMU). The laser scanning system measures ranges from the scanning laser to terrain surfaces by measuring the time it takes for the emitted light (LIDAR return) to reach the earth's surface and reflect back to the onboard LIDAR detector. The airborne GPS system ascertains the in-flight three-dimensional position of the sensor, and the IMU delivers precise information about the attitude of the sensor. The LIDAR system incorporates data from these three subsystems to produce a large cloud of points on the land surface whose X, Y, and Z coordinates are known within the specified accuracy. This collection consists of ASCII files of bare earth elevations and intensity (x,y,z,i) and, LAS (version 1.0 lidar data interchange standard) binary files that include all 1st and last returns, intensity and bare earth classification.

Data and Resources

Field Value
access_constraints ["Use Constraints: The development of the coverages in the NRGIS Library represents a major investment of staff time and effort. As a professional responsibility, the Iowa DNR expects to receive proper credit when these GIS coverages are utilized. he Department also expects that the original documentation will remain with any redistribution of these coverages.", "Access Constraints: None"]
bbox-east-long -90.069432
bbox-north-lat 43.557019
bbox-south-lat 40.332776
bbox-west-long -96.684901
contact-email chris.ensminger@dnr.iowa.gov
coupled-resource []
dataset-reference-date [{"type": "publication", "value": "2007-01-01"}]
frequency-of-update notPlanned
licence ["All data available on this site are currently undergoing quality assurance testing by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). While this testing is underway, this data are being provided as-is, with no guarantee of accuracy. If USGS testing indicates data do not meet accuracy specs, those data will immediately be removed from this site. Until USGS certification is received, users should verify data accuracies for themselves."]
metadata-date 2010-03-08
metadata-language eng; USA
metadata_type geospatial
progress completed
resource-type dataset
responsible-party [{"name": "Iowa Department of Natural Resources", "roles": ["pointOfContact"]}]
spatial {"type": "Polygon", "coordinates": [[[-96.684901, 40.332776], [-90.069432, 40.332776], [-90.069432, 43.557019], [-96.684901, 43.557019], [-96.684901, 40.332776]]]}
spatial_harvester true
Groups
  • AmeriGEOSS
  • National Provider
  • North America
Tags
  • amerigeo
  • amerigeoss
  • ascii-file
  • ckan
  • community-boone-county
  • county-boone
  • county-fips-015
  • elevation
  • fema-cid-19015c
  • geo
  • geoss
  • las-file
  • lidar
  • light-detection-and-ranging
  • national
  • north-america
  • region-7
  • state-iowa
  • united-states
isopen False
metadata_created 2025-11-22T09:40:22.232909
metadata_modified 2025-11-22T09:40:22.232913
notes This is collection level metadata for LAS and ASCII data files from the statewide Iowa Lidar Project. The Iowa Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) Project collects location and elevation (X, Y, Z) data to a set standard for the entire state of Iowa. LIDAR is defined as an airborne laser system, flown aboard rotary or fixed-wing aircraft, that is used to acquire x, y, and z coordinates of terrain and terrain features that are both manmade and naturally occurring. LIDAR systems consist of a light-emitting scanning laser, an airborne Global Positioning System (GPS) with attendant GPS base station(s), and an Inertial Measuring Unit (IMU). The laser scanning system measures ranges from the scanning laser to terrain surfaces by measuring the time it takes for the emitted light (LIDAR return) to reach the earth's surface and reflect back to the onboard LIDAR detector. The airborne GPS system ascertains the in-flight three-dimensional position of the sensor, and the IMU delivers precise information about the attitude of the sensor. The LIDAR system incorporates data from these three subsystems to produce a large cloud of points on the land surface whose X, Y, and Z coordinates are known within the specified accuracy. This collection consists of ASCII files of bare earth elevations and intensity (x,y,z,i) and, LAS (version 1.0 lidar data interchange standard) binary files that include all 1st and last returns, intensity and bare earth classification.
num_resources 2
num_tags 19
title Iowa LiDAR Mapping Project