Iowa Height Modernization
Overview | Accomplishments | Regional Activities | Program Details | Contacts
Program Overview
Corn Harvest. Photo: Iowa State University Extension.
Height Modernization Program activities in Iowa have been supported through the Iowa Department of Transportation (IDOT) directing 1.87M of state funding for Continuously Operating Reference Stations (CORS). Additionally, three state agencies partnered with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to fund a comprehensive $4.3M LiDAR project.
Accomplishments
To improve the availability of accurate heights, the Iowa DOT has established a statewide network of 80 CORS sites (IaRTN), which has been fully operational since February 2009. Additionally, a large LiDAR project was to be completed by spring 2010. The data collected as part of the project have a vertical accuracy of 18.5 cm on bare ground and 37 cm in heavy vegetation. All data from the project will be freely available to the public. The LiDAR project was funded by a partnership among IDOT, Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS), Iowa Department of Natural Resources (IDNR), and USDA'S NRCS.
Regional Activities
Iowa participates in the Great Lakes Region Height Modernization Consortium, coordinating efforts thru conference calls and face-to-face meetings when funding is available.
Program Details
Related Links
Iowa Department of Transportation
Natural Resources Conservation Service
Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship
Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Contact Information
For additional inquiries, contact the State Geodetic Advisor Program or the National Height Modernization Program directly. State geodetic advisors serve as liaisons between NOAA and regional or state organizations.
