Height Modernization Eastern States Regional Webinar

Tuesday, March 4, 2014

1:00 – 5:00 pm ET

Click here to view the agenda.
Click here for a report of the meeting.

This webinar covered the following topics:

Basic information about the National Geodetic Survey’s National Height Modernization Program, and supporting services such as the Online Positioning User Service (OPUS), and future plans for a new national vertical datum.
How federal and state organizations are implementing Height Modernization: this includes any projects/programs related to maintaining or improving elevation information in the state (e.g. leveling, GPS on bench marks, real time networks, lidar, and more...)

Background:

Height Modernization is an initiative focused on establishing accurate, reliable heights using Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) technology in conjunction with traditional leveling, gravity, and modern remote sensing information.
Elevation (orthometric height) information contributes to informed decision making and impacts a wide range of important activities including mapping and charting, flood risk determination, transportation infrastructure, land use and ecosystem management.

Introductory Remarks
Juliana Blackwell, Director, NGS
Gary Thompson, Chief, North Carolina Geodetic Survey

Overview of Height Modernization, click here for presentation.
Christine Gallagher, Program Analyst, NGS

History of Height Modernization
Height Modernization as we prepare for a new vertical datum

Height Modernization in Eastern States

North Carolina: Gary Thompson, Chief, North Carolina Geodetic Survey. Click here for presentation.

South Carolina: Matt Wellslager and Dick Woods, South Carolina Geodetic Survey. Click here for presentation.

“Height Mod” Surveys, click here for presentation.
Michael Dennis, Geodesist, NGS

Overview of survey planning (NGS 58 and NGS 59)
Bluebooking and Adjust
Where we are going (testing to update NGS 58 and NGS 59)
GIS tools

Tools to Help Complete 'Height Mod' Surveys, click here for presentation.
Joe Evjen, Geodesist, NGS

OPUS
OPUS Projects

Planning for the next vertical datum, click here for presentation.
Dru Smith, Chief Geodesist, NGS
Mark Eckl, Observations and Analysis Division Chief, NGS

Major steps to the new vertical datum and progress to date
Future help from the public
Implementation Plan to Replace NAVD 88
GRAV-D data and product releases
NGS geoid models

Continuously Operating Reference Stations (CORS), click here for presentation.
Neil Weston, Deputy Director, NGS

Program overview / status
Program policies, e.g. “70 km rule”

Height Modernization and United States Geological Survey (USGS), click here for presentation.
Jim Kolva, Office of Surface Water data program liaison, USGS