NOAA’s National Height Modernization Program

1. NOAA’s National Height Modernization Program Zelda LeCoat National Geodetic Survey National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

2. THE MISSION of NGS NOAA’s National Geodetic Survey is responsible for defining, maintaining and providing access to the National Spatial Reference System (NSRS) to meet our nation’s • economic • social • environmental needs World leader in geospatial activities, including the development and promotion of standards, specifications, and guidelines

3. NGS Develops Federal standards for geodetic surveys • NGS is Committed to making transportation and navigation safer.

4. The NSRS is a National Reference Framework The NSRS provides the foundation for: • Transportation • Commerce • Mapping and Charting • Multitude of scientific and engineering applications.

6. What is Height Modernization? A program within NOAA's National Geodetic Survey (NGS) that provides: accurate height information by integrating Global Positioning System technology with existing survey techniques. • The program enhances the vertical component of the National Spatial Reference System (NSRS).

7. Benefitsof National Height Modernization • Better integration of geospatial activities within NOAA as well as Federal, state and local government • Improved transportation System • Subsidence Monitoring • Sea Level Rise Estimation • Flood Plain Mapping – Storm Surge Modeling • Emergency Preparedness • Seismic and Infrastructure Monitoring • Saving- Billions

8. Height Modernization Objective NAVD 88 NSRS GEODETIC CONTROL Reliable Accurate Cost-effective Standardized Legally Established

9. Spatial Reference Centers andHeight Modernization Leaders • Spatial Reference Centers Texas Washington California Louisiana

10. SpatialReference Centers

11. Partnerships

12. Why is Height Modernization needed. • Accurate positioning and heights are necessary for • engineering and construction projects, • ensure safe transportation of goods and people, by land, air, or sea. • FEMA’s Map Modernization for flood insurance rate maps. • If the maps are “modernized” based on old elevation data, the maps will not accurately depict the risk of flooding in an area.

13. History of Height Modernization • 1994, California – Meetings to discuss height issues and whether Height modernization would be effective in California and North Carolina; and determine potential benefits to the nation • 1998 – Congress directed the NGS to perform national Height Modernization Study • 2000 – NGS begins Height Modernization planning • 2001 – Height Mod program begins in NC and CA • 2001 – NGS studies in LA and WI

14. FINDINGS from the studies: The National Height Modernization Program could result in: • Improved disaster preparedness • Accurate digital elevation models, enabling better flood plain analysis and of flood plain needs • Improved coastal and harbor navigation, enabling safer and more cost-effective shipment of goods • Improved aircraft navigational aids, and safer approach and landing procedures • Accurate determination of coastal erosion rates and flood plain boundaries;

15. More FINDINGS from the studies: • Improved land and marine geographic information systems (GIS) • Assessment of environmental effects on regions • Enhanced agricultural practices • More efficient fish farming • Infrastructure monitoring of subsidence and erosion • Better management of natural resources • Improved understanding of tectonic movement • Significant time and cost savings in field surveying. • Both Louisiana and Wisconsin needed improved vertical geodetic control

16. 9.9m 9.6m 9.0m 3.75m 3.75m 2.5m

18. www.ngs.noaa.gov O U T R E A C H & E D U C A T I O N

19. Questions? Zelda LeCoat Cartographer N/NGS1, SSMC3, Room 9452 1315 East-West Highway Silver Spring, MD 20910 301-713-3220, x105 Zelda.lecoat@noaa.gov