This LiDAR project provides high-resolution, region-wide elevation data for the San Francisco Bay-Delta, offering an unprecedented view of the landscape, landforms, and habitat conditions. LiDAR, which stands for Light Detection and Ranging, uses laser pulses to measure the distance between the sensor and the ground, creating detailed three-dimensional maps of terrain. This dataset captures fine-scale features across the Delta and surrounding areas. This supports researchers, community members, and agencies to better visualize changes in topography, habitat distribution, and flood risk. By providing consistent, accurate, and comprehensive coverage, the LiDAR data supports a wide range of applications. Researchers can use the data to study habitat dynamics, track landscape change over time, model ecological processes, and more. Agencies and planners can integrate the information into flood risk management, infrastructure planning, and climate adaptation strategies. Community organizations and local stakeholders can also use the data to understand environmental conditions in their neighborhoods and inform local projects. The LiDAR data will be made publicly available following final review in 2026.
Availability details and links will be shared here as soon as the data are released.
This LiDAR collection collaboration would not be possible without funding support from the San Francisco Bay Restoration Authority, Delta Stewardship Council, California Department of Water Resources, South Bay Salt Pond Restoration Project, and Valley Water (Santa Clara County).
Project Details:
Area
~1.25 million acres (the size of Delaware)
Timing
Coordinated with low tides
Aircraft
Cessna Caravan
Sensor
Riegl VQ-1560ii-S
Accuracy
Precise to ~12 cm (height of a soda can!)
Quality
Q1 (last LiDAR collection in 2017 was at Q2)
