Updating the National Hydrologic Dataset Using Aerial LiDAR

The National Hydrography Dataset (NHD) is used by the New Hampshire Department of Transportation (NHDOT) for a wide range of purposes. Naturally rivers, brooks, etc. move over time and there is a fair amount of work required to correct the data to actual conditions. Actual conditions are used in project designs, wetlands and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) permitting, to size stream crossings appropriately, and to infer whether streams are perennial or intermittent when considering maintenance avenues. This research proposes updating a proportion of high-priority watersheds using LIDAR data and documenting the extent of the differences as well as the variety of benefits. The product of this research will include updates to the NHD in sample watersheds as well as a report that quantifies improvements and evaluates the value of these improvements against their costs. The report will be made available to statewide partners, Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), and other interested parties that may be considering updates to the remaining NH watersheds.

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Active
• Funding: $77,000.00
• Sponsor Organizations:

  New Hampshire Department of Transportation

  John O. Morton Building
  P.O. Box 483
  Concord, NH  United States  03302-0483
• Start Date: 20260901
• Expected Completion Date: 20301231
• Actual Completion Date: 0

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Data collection; Hydrography; Laser radar; Watersheds
• Identifier Terms: National Hydrography Dataset
• Geographic Terms: New Hampshire
• Subject Areas: Data and Information Technology; Hydraulics and Hydrology; Transportation (General);

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 02004655
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: New Hampshire Department of Transportation
• Files: RIP, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Sep 30 2026 10:53AM