Minnesota Height Modernization

Overview | Accomplishments | Regional Activities | Program Details | Contacts

Program Overview

The goal of the Minnesota Department of Transportation's (MnDOT) Height Modernization program is to establish and maintain highly accurate and stable survey control points for all MnDOT projects. The control points enable accurate surveys for construction, photo control, location surveys and Right of Way monumentation. The program began with leveling campaigns to ensure that every station in the state's High Accuracy Reference Network (HARN) was also a first or second order bench mark. Later, MnDOT began partnering with counties to densify local geodetic control networks, and more recent efforts include the installation of Continuously Operating Reference Stations (CORS) as well as the development of a statewide real-time-network.

Accomplishments

As of June 2011, nearly all HARN stations have highly accurate orthometric heights; in fact, 601 out of 603 stations have been leveled to a minimum of 2nd order Class I standards. MnDOT has also leveled to (or near) 114 CORS sites across the state. To further densify local control networks, MnDOT began partnering with counties in 2000. If a county partners with MnDOT, the reference network is densified to 3 mile grid spacing, but if a county declines to partner, MnDOT will complete the county at 6 mile grid spacing. In June 2011, 64% of counties have been completed, and all counties are expected to have densified local networks by 2016.

In April 2011, Mn/DOT also started collaborating with the Army Corp of Engineers (USACE), Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MnDNR), U. S. Geological Survey (USGS) and the National Weather Service (NWS) to level to or near approximately 550 river and stream gauges statewide to provide NAVD 88 elevations. 7 gauges have been addressed as of June 2011.

Regional Activities

MnDOT participates in the Great Lakes Region Height Modernization Consortium. Additionally, Minnesota is meeting with Wisconsin about incorporating the real-time-networks of each state.  Minnesota and Iowa already share real-time-network stations along their border.

Program Details

NGS Height Modernization Grant recipient

• Partner agency: Minnesota Department of Transportation
• Principal Investigator: John Barke, Minnesota Department of Transportation

Contact Information

John Barke
Minnesota Department of Transportation
Email

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.