This data release consists of three child items distinguishing the following types of data: light detection and ranging (lidar) point clouds (LPCs), digital elevation models (DEMs), and snow depth raster maps. These three data types are all derived from lidar data collected on small, uncrewed aircraft systems (sUAS) at study areas in the Upper Colorado River Basin, Colorado, from 2020 to 2022. These data were collected and generated as part of the U.S. Geological Survey's (USGS) Next Generation Water Observing Systems (NGWOS) Upper Colorado River Basin project.

These light detection and ranging (lidar) point clouds (LPCs) were generated from lidar data collected during multiple field campaigns in three study areas near Winter Park, Colorado. Small, uncrewed aircraft systems (sUAS) collected lidar datasets to represent snow-covered and snow-free periods. More information regarding the sUAS used and data collection methods can be found in the Supplemental Information and process step sections of each study area metadata file.

These light detection and ranging (lidar) point clouds (LPCs) were generated from lidar data collected during multiple field campaigns in three study areas near Winter Park, Colorado. Small, uncrewed aircraft systems (sUAS) collected lidar datasets to represent snow-covered and snow-free periods. More information regarding the sUAS used and data collection methods can be found in the Supplemental Information and process step sections of each study area metadata file.

These digital elevation models (DEMs) were generated from light detection and ranging (lidar) point clouds (LPCs) derived from lidar data collected during multiple field campaigns at three study areas near Winter Park, Colorado. Small, uncrewed aircraft systems (sUAS) were used to collect lidar datasets to represent snow-covered and snow-free periods.

These snow depth raster maps were generated from digital elevation models (DEMs) derived from light detection and ranging (lidar) data collected during multiple field campaigns in the three study areas near Winter Park, Colorado. Small, uncrewed aircraft systems (sUAS) collected lidar datasets to represent snow-covered and snow-free periods. More information regarding the sUAS used and data collection methods can be found in the Supplemental Information and process step sections of each study area individual metadata file.

The Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys (DGGS) used aerial lidar to produce a classified point cloud, digital surface model (DSM), digital terrain model (DTM), and intensity model of Eaglecrest ski area and surroundings on Douglas Island, Southeast Alaska, during near snow-free ground conditions on September 6, 2019. The survey provides snow-free surface elevations for deriving snow depth distribution models with repeat surveys during snow-covered conditions. Aerial lidar were collected on September 6, 2019, and ground control data were collected on September 8, 2019, and subsequently processed in a suite of geospatial processing software. These products are released as a Raw Data File with an open end-user license. All files can be downloaded from the Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys website (http://doi.org/10.14509/30729).

This dataset contains lidar digital elevation models (DEMs). The lidar data were collected before (2016) and after (2021) the Grizzly Creek Fire, which occurred in 2020. The 2016 lidar was collected during a series of flights between 10 June and 7 October 2016. The 2021 lidar flight was conducted in full on 24 August 2021. The files are named with the following convention: Vendor_Year_Resolution_merged_Watershed. The vendor is either Merrick (2016 data) or Sanborn (2021), the year is either 2016 or 2021, the resolution is 1 meter in both cases, and the watershed is labeled as HUC1, HUC2, HUC3_N_side, or HUC3_S_side. Additionally, the files from the individual vendors were uploaded to two separate compressed folders: Merrick_2016_1m_merged_HUCx.zip and Sanborn_2021_1m_merged_HUCx.zip.

This dataset contains lidar digital elevation models (DEMs). The lidar data were collected before (2016) and after (2021) the Grizzly Creek Fire, which occurred in 2020. The 2016 lidar was collected during a series of flights between 10 June and 7 October 2016. The 2021 lidar flight was conducted in full on 24 August 2021. The files are named with the following convention: Vendor_Year_Resolution_merged_Watershed. The vendor is either Merrick (2016 data) or Sanborn (2021), the year is either 2016 or 2021, the resolution is 1 meter in both cases, and the watershed is labeled as HUC1, HUC2, HUC3_N_side, or HUC3_S_side. Additionally, the files from the individual vendors were uploaded to two separate compressed folders: Merrick_2016_1m_merged_HUCx.zip and Sanborn_2021_1m_merged_HUCx.zip.

Lidar-derived surface elevation data for Glen Alps, Southcentral Alaska, collected August 17, 2024, Raw Data File 2025-19, releases classified point cloud, digital surface model (DSM), digital terrain model (DTM), and intensity model of the Glen Alps area, Municipality of Anchorage (MOA), Southcentral Alaska, during leaf-on conditions. The survey provides summer 'snow off' surface elevations to derive snow depth information using a separately collected winter 'snow-on' elevation surface. Ground control data were collected on March 25, 2024, and aerial lidar data were collected on August 17, 2024, and subsequently merged and processed using a suite of geospatial processing software. This data collection is released as a Raw Data File with an open end-user license. All files can be downloaded from the Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys website (http://doi.org/10.14509/31704).