U.S. Geological Survey
2018
Chimney Bluffs point cloud from low-altitude aerial imagery from unmanned aerial systems (UAS) flights over of the Lake Ontario shoreline in the vicinity of Chimney Bluffs, New York in July 2017
1.0
LAZ binary data
data release
DOI:10.5066/P9W81QEZ
Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center, Woods Hole, MA
U.S. Geological Survey, Coastal and Marine Geology Program
https://doi.org/10.5066/P9W81QEZ
https://www.sciencebase.gov/catalog/item/5b285dfee4b0592076260e4f
Christopher R. Sherwood
Sandra M. Brosnahan
Seth D. Ackerman
Jonathan Borden
Ellyn T. Montgomery
Elizabeth A. Pendleton
Emily J. Sturdivant
2018
Aerial imagery and photogrammetric products from unmanned aerial systems (UAS) flights over the Lake Ontario shoreline at Chimney Bluffs, New York, July 14, 2017
1.0
data release
DOI:10.5066/P9W81QEZ
Reston, VA
U.S. Geological Survey
Suggested citation: Sherwood, C.R., Brosnahan, S.M., Ackerman, S.D., Borden, Jonathan, Montgomery, E.T., Pendleton, E.A., and Sturdivant, E.J., 2018, Aerial imagery and photogrammetric products from unmanned aerial systems (UAS) flights over the Lake Ontario shoreline at Chimney Bluffs, New York, July 14, 2017: U.S. Geological Survey data release, https://doi.org/10.5066/P9W81QEZ.
https://doi.org/10.5066/P9W81QEZ
https://www.sciencebase.gov/catalog/item/5b06fb1ae4b0ac450c98b389
Low-altitude (80-100 meters above ground level) digital images were obtained from a camera mounted on a 3DR Solo quadcopter, a small unmanned aerial system (UAS), in three locations along the Lake Ontario shoreline in New York during July 2017. These data were collected to document and monitor effects of high lake levels, including shoreline erosion, inundation, and property damage in the vicinity of Chimney Bluffs State Park, New York. This data release includes images tagged with locations determined from the UAS GPS; tables with updated estimates of camera positions and attitudes based on the photogrammetric reconstruction; tables listing locations of the base stations, ground control points, and transect points; geolocated, RGB-colored point clouds; orthomosaic images; and digital elevation models for each of the survey regions. Collection of these data was supported by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the State of New York Departments of State and Environmental Conservation, and the USGS Coastal and Marine Geology Program and was conducted under USGS field activity number 2017-042-FA.
These points provide the calculated XYZ (horizontal and vertical) coordinates and RGB (red-green-blue) values of the land surface during a mid-day low-tide on 14 July, 2017 in the Chimney Bluffs study area. The product was created to demonstrate the use of structure-from-motion (SfM) for coastal research and may be used to develop further datasets, such as the digital elevation models, geomorphic feature mapping, and land cover classification.
For more information about this field activity, see https://cmgds.marine.usgs.gov/fan_info.php?fan=2017-042-FA.
20170714
ground condition
None planned
-76.9161747186
-76.904511315
43.2919533659
43.285587981
USGS Metadata Identifier
USGS:5b285dfee4b0592076260e4f
None
U.S. Geological Survey
USGS
Coastal and Marine Geology Program
CMGP
Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center
WHCMSC
State of New York Department of State
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
Federal Emergency Management Agency
FEMA
shoreline
lake level
3DR Solo quadcopter
Ricoh GRII
low-altitude aerial imagery
aerial imagery
shoreline photographs
photographs
photos
UAS
Unmanned aerial system
lakeshore
points
point clouds
LAS
LAZ
field activity number 2017-042-FA
USGS Thesaurus
remote sensing
topography
aerial photography
ISO 19115 Topic Category
geoscientificInformation
inlandWaters
location
elevation
None
USA
Great Lakes
New York
Lake Ontario
Chimney Bluffs
Chimney Bluffs State Park
Huron, NY
none
Public domain data from the U.S. Government are freely redistributable with proper metadata and source attribution. Please recognize the U.S. Geological Survey as the originator of the dataset.
U.S. Geological Survey
Sandra Brosnahan
Physical Scientist
mailing and physical address
384 Woods Hole Road
Woods Hole
Massachusetts
02543-1598
508-548-8700 x2265
508-457-2310
sbrosnahan@usgs.gov
https://www.sciencebase.gov/catalog/file/get/5b285dfee4b0592076260e4f/?name=2017042FA_ChimneyBluffs_PointCloud_browse.png
Browse image of a portion of the point cloud generated from photogrammetry and low-altitude aerial images obtained with unmanned aerial systems (UAS).
PNG
Coordinates recorded for each point describe discrete positions in space and the visual reflectance at the time of capture. No formal logical accuracy tests were conducted. All data were handled in a consistent manner. Photoscan software determines the photos used in the construction of the products (Point Cloud, DEM and Orthomosaic) based on the ability to align the photo and the usability of valid tie points within an image. A tie point represents a point that the software determine to be common from one photo to the next. The camera locations CSV file in this data release (https://doi.org/10.5066/P9W81QEZ) indicates which photos were used to create the final products. This final point cloud was checked for accuracy only by rotating the point cloud to view from multiple angles to ensure that obvious spurious points do not cause artifacts in the derivative products (DEM and Orthomosaic). Although some outlying points were manually eliminated, there are still many points that likely do not represent ground features, but are instead artifacts generated by moving water surfaces and/or erroneous tie points.
This point cloud was constructed from 1527 of the 1665 images loaded from 4 successful flights over the Chimney Bluffs survey area that were imported into the Chimney Bluffs photogrammetry project. Some images were eliminated automatically by the Agisoft Photoscan software during processing because they contained insufficient numbers of reliable tie points relating them to ground features visible in adjacent images. Many of the eliminated images contain views of mostly water or oblique views that included the horizon. All of the points generated by the software to form a dense cloud have been included in this data release. That includes points that likely do not represent ground features such as trees, vegetation, cars, homes and other man-made structures as well as artifacts generated by moving water surfaces and or erroneous tie points. These points are commonly eliminated through either automatic or manual classification, but have been retained to allow experimentation with point classification methods. The fully processed Photoscan project for Chimney Bluffs (used to create the subsequent DEM and orthomosaic) used 1527 of the original 1665 images and this dense point cloud contains more than 188 million points.
Horizontal positions of individual points for the point cloud were calculated by photogrammetric software and ground control points. There are several sources of potential error that affect the horizontal accuracy:
1. The horizontal error estimate provided by Agisoft Photoscan for the Chimney Bluffs project as a result of alignment, optimization, and ground control processing procedures is 0.78 cm. This value is an RMS estimate of positional error at discrete locations.
2. Ground control points were collected using a Spectra model SP80 GNSS receiver set to record XY locations with the national adjustment of 2011 (NAD83(2011) UTM zone 18N EPSG::6347), which differs from the Photoscan project coordinate system (NAD83/UTM zone 18N (EPSG::26918)). This difference may introduce an average additional 0.9 cm horizontally at the 95% confidence level according to the National Geodetic Survey (https://www.ngs.noaa.gov/web/surveys/NA2011/).
3. Additionally, an assessment of repeated survey sites (from transect points) using the same equipment by the USGS Aerial Imagery and Mapping (AIM) group estimates an accuracy of the ground control point locations of 1.76 cm (horizontal) and 0.54 cm (vertical).
The combination of the potential horizontal error is on the order of 3.44 cm for the Chimney Bluffs products. Although some portions of the map may contain much larger errors, up to 2 m horizontally. The horizontal coordinate system for the Chimney Bluffs Point Cloud, DEM and Orthomosaic is NAD83/UTM zone 18N (EPSG::26918).
It is also important to note: The UAS image locations are derived from a mRo GPS (u-Blox Neo-M8N / 3DR SOLO Upgrade), located on the UAS, which receives signals from GPS and GLONASS satellites in WGS84 (G1150) EPSG::7660. This location information is used by the Photoscan software to help with the initial alignment, however after photo alignment, these location data have no bearing on the project or the derivative product. Therefore the positional accuracy and potential errors of the GPS data attached to the input photographs is not propagated to the Photoscan project and therefore does not contribute to the overall horizontal accuracy of the products (Point Cloud, DEM and Orthomosaic).
Vertical positions of individual points for the point cloud were calculated by photogrammetric software and ground control points. There are several sources of potential error that affect the vertical accuracy:
1. The vertical error estimate provided by Agisoft Photoscan for the Chimney Bluffs project as a result of alignment, optimization, and ground control processing procedures is 1.98 cm. This value is an RMS estimate of positional error at discrete locations within the orthomosaic.
2. Ground control points were collected using a Spectra model SP80 GNSS receiver that was receiving real-time differential corrections from a GNSS base station established over a temporary benchmark on a concrete pad across from the WestPoint Marina office, in Braddock Bay NY. The Z heights were reference to the NAVD88 vertical datum. An assessment of repeated survey sites using the same equipment by the USGS Aerial Imagery and Mapping group estimates a potential accuracy error of the ground control point locations of 1.76 cm (horizontal) and 0.54 cm (vertical).
The vertical datum for the Chimney Bluffs Point Cloud, DEM and Orthomosaic is NAVD88 (meters).
It is also important to note: The UAS image locations are derived from a mRo GPS (u-Blox Neo-M8N / 3DR SOLO Upgrade), located on the UAS, which receives signals from GPS and GLONASS satellites in WGS84 (G1150) EPSG::7660. This location information is used by the Photoscan software to help with the initial alignment, however after photo alignment, these location data have no bearing on the project or the derivative product. Therefore the positional accuracy and potential errors of the GPS data attached to the input photographs is not propagated to the Photoscan project and therefore does not contribute to the overall vertical accuracy of the products (Point Cloud and DEM).
U.S. Geological Survey
unpublished material
Field geotagged aerial imagery from unmanned aerial systems (UAS) flights over of the Lake Ontario shoreline in the vicinity of Chimney Bluffs, New York in July 2017
raster digital images
20170714
ground condition of when images were taken
geotagged aerial digital images
These are the images geotagged in the field and used to produce the subsequent photogrammetric products. The images available from the larger work citation of this data release have updated geotag information.
U.S. Geological Survey
2018
Ground control point and transect locations associated with images collected during unmanned aerial systems (UAS) flights over the Lake Ontario shoreline in the vicinity of Chimney Bluffs, New York in July 2017
available from the Larger Work citation of this dataset (Suggested citation: Sherwood, C.R., Brosnahan, S.M., Ackerman, S.D., Borden, Jonathan, Montgomery, E.T., Pendleton, E.A., and Sturdivant, E.J., 2018, Aerial imagery and photogrammetric products from unmanned aerial systems (UAS) flights over the Lake Ontario shoreline at Chimney Bluffs, New York, July 14, 2017: U.S. Geological Survey data release, https://doi.org/10.5066/P9W81QEZ.)
text data files
20170714
ground condition of when images were taken
GCPs
The ground control points (GCPs; not transect points - see metadata for that dataset available from the larger work citation for more information) were used to geolocate the photogrammetric products.
Point Clouds for the Lake Ontario projects were constructed using photogrammetry software (Agisoft Photoscan Professional v. 1.3.2) and digital images taken approximately 80 and 100 m above the ground on July 10 - 14, 2017, with a Ricoh GRII digital camera mounted in a 3DR Solo quadcopter operated the U.S. Geological Survey. This point cloud is the product from one of several photogrammetry projects from field activity 2017-042-FA. Two projects incorporated flights over Braddock Bay on July 10 and 11, 2017 (Braddock West, Braddock East); four were used for flights in the vicinity of Sodus Bay on July 12, 13, and 14, 2017 (Lake Bluff / Crescent Bar, Crescent Bar / Charles Point, Sodus North, and Greig Street); and one project incorporated flights over Chimney Bluffs on July 14, 2017. The projects combined images with 5 to 27 ground control points to produce geolocated, colored (red-green-blue schema) point clouds. This point cloud, for the Chimney Bluffs project, was created using a standard processing flow as described in the processing step below.
201709
U.S. Geological Survey, Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center
Christopher R. Sherwood
Research Oceanographer
mailing and physical address
384 Woods Hole Road
Woods Hole
Massachusetts
02543
U.S.A.
508-548-8700 x2269
508 457 2310
csherwood@usgs.gov
The following steps are the processing flow for creating point clouds:
1. Geotagged images created in the field (see source citation) containing useful imagery from the survey area were imported into Agisoft Photoscan Professional v. 1.3.2 software using the “Add photos…” tool. Photos taken before and immediately after takeoff, photos taken immediately prior to and after landing, and photos with 100% water were not loaded into the project or not used if they were. Project coordinate system is set to EPSG::7660 WGS84 (G1150) geocentric coordinate system.
2. Using ”Convert”, the coordinate system of the images (called “cameras” in Photoscan) was converted from native latitude/longitude WGS84 (G1150) coordinate system to meters in NAD83/UTM zone 18N (EPSG::26918).
3. The photos were processed through an initial alignment and optimization procedure using the following settings:
Alignment - Accuracy: “High”; Pair selection: “Reference”; Key point limit: 80,000; Tie point limit; 0 (unlimited). Adaptive camera model fitting option was selected.
Optimization - Lens-calibration parameters f, cx, cy, k1, k2, k3, p1, and p2 were included; b1, b2, and higher-order parameters k4, p3, and p4 were not.
4. The sparse point cloud (also known as tie points; created as a result of photo alignment and optimization) was edited using an iterative error-reduction procedure to filter the data. This was done in several iterations of a process called "Gradual Selection" to first to reduce reconstruction uncertainty (to a unitless value of 10) and then projection accuracy (to a weighted value of 3).
5. Ground control points were created by first by letting the software automatically detect markers where it finds all of the 4-ft square black/white targets deployed (false targets that are sometimes detected were manually deleted). The automatically-generated marker labels were manually changed to match the names in the survey notes and GCP location files.
6. "Import markers” was used to load the GCP location files, which assigned coordinates (northing, easting, and elevation in UTM Zone 18 North meters in NAD83 and NAVD88 coordinate systems) from the location file to the detected markers. The locations of auto-detected markers were retained.
7. Another round of "Gradual Selection" was done to reduce the reprojection error (to a value of 0.3 pixels, unless more than 10% of the points would be removed).
8. A dense point cloud was then created with the parameters "High" quality and “Aggressive” depth filtering.
9. The dense point cloud was exported in LAZ format (2017-07-10_Chimney_Bluffs_POINTS.laz) and was then both were renamed to the AIM data release filenaming standard (e.g. 2017042FA_ChimneyBluffs_PointCloud.laz).
20170913
U. S. Geological Survey, Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center
Christopher R. Sherwood
Research Oceanographer
mailing and physical address
384 Woods Hole Road
Woods Hole
Massachusetts
02543
U.S.A.
508-548-8700 x2269
508 457 2310
csherwood@usgs.gov
Added keywords section with USGS persistent identifier as theme keyword.
20200806
U.S. Geological Survey
VeeAnn A. Cross
Marine Geologist
Mailing and Physical
384 Woods Hole Road
Woods Hole
MA
02543-1598
508-548-8700 x2251
508-457-2310
vatnipp@usgs.gov
Point
Point
188,202,270
Universal Transverse Mercator
0.999600
-75.00000
0.000
500000.0000
0.0000
coordinate pair
0.001
0.001
meters
North American Datum of 1983
Geodetic Reference System 80
6378137.000000
298.257222101
North American Vertical Datum of 1988 (NAVD88)
0.001
meters
Explicit elevation coordinate included with horizontal coordinates
The attribute information associated with point cloud follows the LAZ file standard. Attributes include location (northing, easting, and elevation in the NAD83/UTM zone 18N (EPSG::26918) horizontal and NAVD88 vertical coordinate systems), color (red, blue, and green components), intensity, and classification. All points are classified as 0 (unclassified).
ASPRS (2013, https://www.asprs.org/committee-general/laser-las-file-format-exchange-activities.html) and Isenburg (2013, https://doi.org/10.14358/PERS.79.2.209)
U.S. Geological Survey - ScienceBase
mailing and physical address
Denver Federal Center, Building 810, Mail Stop 302
Denver
CO
80225
1-888-275-8747
sciencebase@usgs.gov
This data release contains point cloud data in LAZ format (2017042FA_ChimneyBluffs_PointCloud.laz). FGDC CSDGM metadata (2017042FA_ChimneyBluffs_PointCloud.xml) and a browse graphic (2017042FA_ChimneyBluffs_PointCloud_browse.xml) accompanies the data.
Neither the U.S. Government, the Department of the Interior, nor the USGS, nor any of their employees, contractors, or subcontractors, make any warranty, express or implied, nor assume any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, apparatus, product, or process disclosed, nor represent that its use would not infringe on privately owned rights. The act of distribution shall not constitute any such warranty, and no responsibility is assumed by the USGS in the use of these data or related materials. Any use of trade, product, or firm names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.
LAZ
An unclassified point cloud in LAZ format and the associated FGDC CSDGM metadata in XML format.
Use LAStools (http://www.cs.unc.edu/~isenburg/lastools/) or LASzip (http://www.laszip.org) or mapping software that can read in a LAZ file.
1761
https://www.sciencebase.gov/catalog/item/5b285dfee4b0592076260e4f
https://www.sciencebase.gov/catalog/file/get/5b285dfee4b0592076260e4f
https://doi.org/10.5066/P9W81QEZ
The first link is to the page containing the data. The second is a direct link to download all data available from the page as a zip file. And the final link is to the publication landing page. Because the dataset is over 1 GB, the user should go to the main landing page (first link) and use the large file download option to obtain the data. The second link may or may not work appropriately.
none
This file requires software capable of opening binary LAZ files.
20200806
U.S. Geological Survey
Sandra Brosnahan
Physical Scientist
mailing and physical address
384 Woods Hole Road
Woods Hole
Massachusetts
02543-1598
508-548-8700 x2265
508-457-2310
sbrosnahan@usgs.gov
FGDC Content Standards for Digital Geospatial Metadata
FGDC-STD-001-1998