LiDAR DTM for Flood Modeling

Accurate Terrain Data for Flood Risk Assessment

Flood modeling requires precise terrain data. LiDAR-derived DTMs have become the gold standard for hydrological analysis, capturing the exact elevation gradients that determine water flow.

Create Flood-Ready DTM

Why Flood Models Need DTMs

A DTM represents the bare earth surface with vegetation and buildings removed. This clean terrain surface is essential for flood modeling because water flows downhill.

Flow Direction

DTMs capture exact elevation gradients that determine flow direction and velocity

Terrain Features

Ditches, levees, and berms significantly affect flood routing

Inundation Depth

Accurate ground elevation needed to calculate water depth

Flood Extent

DTM elevations define where floodwater will and won’t reach

Why LiDAR-Derived DTMs Outperform

Centimeter-level vertical accuracy — critical for modeling shallow flooding where 10-20cm differences matter
High point density — captures fine terrain features like drainage channels and curbs
Vegetation penetration — pulses penetrate canopy to capture true ground surface
Consistent coverage — uniform data across hard-to-access floodplains

Urban Flood Modeling

Urban environments require high resolution DTMs (1m or finer) because:
• Buildings, walls, and fences redirect flow
• Roadways act as preferential flow paths
• Curbs and gutters create micro-drainage patterns
• Storm drains need accurate inlet elevations

Riverine Flood Modeling

Riverine applications can use moderate resolution (2-5m) but require:
• Accurate channel bathymetry
• Floodplain topography
• Levee and embankment elevations
• Bridge and culvert hydraulics

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