Aly I. El-Kadi
A LIDAR Study. A completed pilot study, in collaboration with SOES's Ben Brooks and his group, was aimed at assessing the hydrology of a low level area on Oahu using the LIDAR technology. Ground surface was surveyed from the ground level and from a higher elevation point (pictures) and a digital elevation model (DEM) was developed based on different levels of resolution. Accuracy of surface water flow patterns was assessed based on various DEM's. The methodology is less expensive than conventional techniques that utilize aircrafts.
Above ground survey
Ground survey
Preliminary results (color-shaded) compared to ground truthing (black lines)
Preliminary results illustrating main surface water flow patterns (in blue) towards a stream