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Dataset Overview | National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI)

Orange County, California 1/3 arc-second NAVD 88 Coastal Digital Elevation Model

NOAA's National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) is building high-resolution digital elevation models (DEMs) for select U.S. coastal regions. These integrated bathymetric-topographic DEMs are used to support individual coastal States as part of the National Tsunami Hazard Mitigation Program's (NTHMP) efforts to improve community preparedness and hazard mitigation. Bathymetric, topographic, and shoreline data used in DEM compilation are obtained from various sources including: NOAA; the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS); and other federal, state, and local government agencies, academic institutions, and private companies. DEMs are referenced to the vertical datum of NAVD 88 and horizontal datum of World Geodetic System 1984 geographic (WGS 84). Grid spacing for the DEM is 1/3 arc-second (~10 meters).
Cite this dataset when used as a source.
  • ID not available.
gov.noaa.ngdc.mgg.dem:11506
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Download Data
Distribution Formats
  • netCDF (Version: 4 Classic)
Distributor DEM Information
NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
dem.info@noaa.gov
Dataset Point of Contact DEM Information
NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
dem.info@noaa.gov
Coverage Description ISO valid extents for Orange County 1/3 sec. DEM
Time Period
Spatial Reference System urn:ogc:def:crs:EPSG::4326urn:ogc:def:datum:EPSG::5703
Spatial Bounding Box Coordinates
West: -118.90
East: -117.45
South: 32.62
North: 33.85
Spatial Coverage Map
General Documentation
Associated Resources
Publication Dates
  • publication: 2015-09-17
Edition First
Data Presentation Form mapDigital
Dataset Progress Status Complete - production of the data has been completed
Data Update Frequency As needed
Purpose Developed for the National Tsunami Hazard Mitigation Program in support of NOAA's tsunami forecasting and warning efforts.
Use Limitations
  • Not to be used for navigation. Although these data are of high quality and useful for planning and modeling purposes, they are not suitable for navigation. For navigation, please refer to the NOS nautical chart series.
  • Produced by the NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Not subject to copyright protection within the United States.
Originators
  • NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
  • DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NGDC > National Geophysical Data Center, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
Collaborators
  • National Tsunami Hazard Mitigation Program (NTHMP)
Publishers
  • NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
Theme keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Science and Services Keywords
  • Earth Science > Oceans > Bathymetry/Seafloor Topography > Seafloor Topography
  • Earth Science > Oceans > Bathymetry/Seafloor Topography > Bathymetry
  • Earth Science > Oceans > Bathymetry/Seafloor Topography > Water Depth
  • Earth Science > Land Surface > Topography > Terrain Elevation > Topographical Relief Maps
  • Earth Science > Oceans > Coastal Processes > Coastal Elevation
Uncontrolled
  • Coastal Relief
  • Gridded elevations
  • Integrated bathymetry and topography
Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Service Keywords
  • DATA ANALYSIS AND VISUALIZATION > GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS > WEB-BASED GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS
  • DATA MANAGEMENT/DATA HANDLING > DATA SEARCH AND RETRIEVAL
  • DATA ANALYSIS AND VISUALIZATION > VISUALIZATION/IMAGE PROCESSING
Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Service Keywords
  • DATA ANALYSIS AND VISUALIZATION > GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS > WEB-BASED GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS
  • DATA MANAGEMENT/DATA HANDLING > DATA SEARCH AND RETRIEVAL
  • DATA ANALYSIS AND VISUALIZATION > VISUALIZATION/IMAGE PROCESSING
Data Center keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Data Center Keywords
  • DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCEI > National Centers for Environmental Information, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
  • DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NGDC > National Geophysical Data Center, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
Platform keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Platform Keywords
  • Models/Analyses > DEM > Digital Elevation Model
Place keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Location Keywords
  • Continent > North America > United States of America >California
  • Vertical Location > Land Surface
  • Vertical Location > Sea Floor
Uncontrolled
  • Orange County
  • California
  • San Clemente
  • Dana Point
  • Laguna Beach
  • Newport Beach
  • Huntington Beach
  • Long Beach
  • Santa Catalina Island
  • San Clemente Island
Project keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Project Keywords
  • ICSU-WDS > International Council for Science - World Data System
Data Resolution keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Horizontal Data Resolution Keywords
  • 1 meter - < 30 meters
Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Vertical Data Resolution Keywords
  • < 1 meter
Use Constraints No constraint information available
Access Constraints
  • Distribution liability: NOAA and NCEI make no warranty, expressed or implied, regarding these data, nor does the fact of distribution constitute such a warranty. NOAA and NCEI cannot assume liability for any damages caused by any errors or omissions in these data. If appropriate, NCEI can only certify that the data it distributes are an authentic copy of the records that were accepted for inclusion in the NCEI archives.
Fees Fee information not available.
Lineage information for: dataset
Processor
  • NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
Processing Steps
  • 2015-07-16T00:00:00 - All datasets obtained by NCEI were converted to common horizontal and vertical datums of WGS 84 geographic and NAVD 88, respectively, using VDatum. They were also converted to common file format for visualization and inspection.
  • 2015-07-28T00:00:00 - Datasets were visually inspected with ArcGIS for identification and editing of data anomalies. Datasets were then compared with overlapping datasets to ensure data consistency.
  • 2015-08-17T00:00:00 - xyz files of the bathymetric data were surfaced using GMT's 'surface' tool onto a 1/3 arc-second grid that interpolated to fill empty cells. Points extracted every 5 meters along the coastline were also included to ensure that the bathymetric grid reached zero at the coast. The resulting Arc ASCII grid was imported into ArcGIS and clipped to the coastline to remove values over land.
  • 2015-08-23T00:00:00 - xyz files for each input dataset were gridded using MB-System's 'mbgrid' tool, which utilizes a high-tension spline interpolation method to fill grid cells with no input elevation values. Preferential weighting was given to more recent, higher-accuracy datasets.
  • 2015-09-09T00:00:00 - The DEM was quantitatively evaluated by comparing with source datasets.
Processing Environment Native Dataset Environment: Microsoft Windows 7 Enterprise; ESRI ArcGIS 10.3.1.4959
Source Datasets
  • Multibeam Bathymetry Database (MBBDB)
    • Multibeam Bathymetry Database (MBBDB) (download)
      Multibeam Swath Sonar Survey Data
    • Description of Source: Source Contribution: Swath Sonar Survey Data
    • Temporal extent used: 1996-01-01 to 2014-01-01
  • USGS National Elevation Dataset (NED) 1/3 arc-second Downloadable Data Collection from The National Map 3D Elevation Program (3DEP) - National Geospatial Data Asset (NGDA) National Elevation Data Set (NED)
    • USGS National Elevation Dataset (NED) 1/3 arc-second (download)
      The NED serves as the elevation layer of The National Map, and provides basic elevation information for earth science studies and mapping applications in the United States. Scientists and resource managers use NED data for global change research, hydrologic modeling, resource monitoring, mapping and visualization, and many other applications.
    • Description of Source: Source Contribution: Topographic DEM
  • NOS Hydrographic Surveys
    • NOS Hydrographic Survey Database (download)
      Digital database of NOS hydrographic surveys that date back to the late 19th century.
    • Description of Source: Source Contribution: hydrographic surveys
    • Temporal extent used: 1928-01-01 to 2014-01-01
  • Multibeam Bathymetry of the Los Angeles, California Margin
    • Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center (download)
      USGS coastal and marine geologic research supports understanding of coastal and marine environments, through technology, tools, data and mapping products.
    • Description of Source: Source Contribution: XYZ ASCII format data generated from the 1996, 1998, and 1999 multibeam sonar surveys of the Los Angeles, California Margin
    • Temporal extent used: 1996-09-30 to 1999-05-18
  • Bathymetry - Outer Mainland Shelf and Slope, Gulf of Santa Catalina, Southern California, U.S. Geological Survey 2010-2011
    • United States Geological Survey, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center (PCMSC) (download)
      The Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center of the USGS studies the coasts of the western United States, including Alaska and Hawai`i.
    • Description of Source: Source Contribution: Multibeam bathymetry - Outer Mainland Shelf and Slope, Gulf of Santa Catalina, Southern California
    • Temporal extent used: 2010-05-10 to 2011-06-22
  • 2002/2003 IfSAR data for Southern California: Digital Elevation Model (NAVD88)
    • NOAA OCM Digital Coast (download)
      This centralized, user-friendly, and cost-effective information repository was developed by the NOAA's Office for Coastal Management for the coastal managers, planners, decision-makers, and technical users who are charged to manage the nation’s coastal and ocean resources to sustain vibrant coastal communities and economies.
    • Description of Source: Source Contribution: Topographic IfSAR DEM
    • Temporal extent used: 2002-10-20 to 2003-07-06
  • 2010 California Coastal Conservancy Coastal Lidar
    • NOAA OCM Digital Coast (download)
      This centralized, user-friendly, and cost-effective information repository was developed by the NOAA's Office for Coastal Management for the coastal managers, planners, decision-makers, and technical users who are charged to manage the nation’s coastal and ocean resources to sustain vibrant coastal communities and economies.
    • Description of Source: Source Contribution: Topographic Lidar LAS
    • Temporal extent used: 2009-10-01 to 2011-10-01
  • 2011 USGS Lidar: Orange County (CA)
    • NOAA OCM Digital Coast (download)
      This centralized, user-friendly, and cost-effective information repository was developed by the NOAA's Office for Coastal Management for the coastal managers, planners, decision-makers, and technical users who are charged to manage the nation’s coastal and ocean resources to sustain vibrant coastal communities and economies.
    • Description of Source: Source Contribution: Topographic Lidar LAS
    • Temporal extent used: 2011-12-17 to 2012-02-09
  • 2009 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) JALBTCX Topo-bathy Lidar: CA
    • NOAA OCM Digital Coast (download)
      This centralized, user-friendly, and cost-effective information repository was developed by the NOAA's Office for Coastal Management for the coastal managers, planners, decision-makers, and technical users who are charged to manage the nation’s coastal and ocean resources to sustain vibrant coastal communities and economies.
    • Description of Source: Source Contribution: Topographic-Bathymetric Lidar LAS
    • Temporal extent used: 2009-10-03 to 2009-12-06
  • Hydrographic survey of Dana Point Harbor
    • USACE Los Angeles District (download)
      Civil Works Branch
    • Description of Source: Source Contribution: Hydrographic survey
    • Time Instant: 2010
  • VDatum software v. 3.4
    • VDatum (download)
      Vertical Datum Transformation tool
    • Description of Source: Source Contribution: vertical datum transformation tool
Lineage information for: repository
Processing Steps
  • 2015-04-22T00:00:00 - NOAA created the National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) by merging NOAA's National Climatic Data Center (NCDC), National Geophysical Data Center (NGDC), and National Oceanographic Data Center (NODC), including the National Coastal Data Development Center (NCDDC), per the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2015, Public Law 113-235. NCEI launched publicly on April 22, 2015.
Last Modified: 2017-08-28
For questions about the information on this page, please email: dem.info@noaa.gov