2007 Contours
Keywords: Contours, Elevation, 2007
Published: 2008
Richmond GIS Layer Inventory
Contact Richmond GIS
 
Description
  Abstract: Represents locations/lines of equal elevation. These 2 foot contours were produced as part of the VGIN mapping project executed in 2007. (Note: Although the contract with VGIN (VA Geographic Information Network) was initated in 2006, due to the late signing of the contact between the State and their contractor, there was not a long-enough "leaf-off" period to complete state-wide orthophotograhy mapping; the City of Richmond was one of many localities postponed until the Winter of 2007.)
  Purpose: The creation of the contour data was executed to capture the existing ground conditions at a specific point in time for the purpose of GIS mapping and analysis. Contour information is used for plannimetric mapping and for creating TINs and RASTERs, which support 3D mapping and ground/slope visualization. TINs and RASTERs of elevation data support spatial analyses related to slopes, viewsheds, water runoff, and other map algebra-based applications.
  Supplemental Information: Contours 2007: still considered part of the City's planimetric base mapping, these contours were obtained via the "VA Base Mapping Project (VBMP)." The City contracted in 2006-07 to upgrade the VA Geographic Information Network (VGIN) orthophotography VBMP product from 1 foot resolution to 6 inch resolution, and additionally contracted to have 2 foot resolution contours developed. The analog aerial photography was collected at 1"=200' scale and flown in Winter 2007. The aerial photography was controlled with strategic photo-identifiable ground control points. The ground control points were referenced to a Statewide adjusted Network in North American Datum 1983; Virginia State Plane South. The film was scanned at 14 microns and the aerotriangulation was executed using Zeiss ISAT software. The accuracy of the aerotriangulation data supports 1"=100' mapping and the generation of 2' contours. The Digital Terrain Model (DTM) and subsequent Triangular Irregular Network (TIN) used to the interpolate the contours was photogrammetrically stereo-compiled using fully manual methods to collect masspoints and breaklines. The data was initially compiled in tile (2,500' X 2,500') tile format and seamlessly merged together into GeoDatabase format for final delivery. Variations existing between the contour datasests (1999 vs. 2007) is not uncommon. Photogrammetry is not an exact science; scale, resolution and interpretation play a large role in the data output. Sanborn wrote: "Contours are lines of continuous elevation however, the methodology for contour generation and particularly "smoothing" of the contours are aesthetic in nature and subjective to the cartographer creating and editing the contours. Although both the City's 1999 and 2007 contour datasets were photogrammetrically derived, the software utilized to create the contours and smoothing routines have changed substantially from 1999 to 2007. In essence, the less smooth the contour, the more accurate it depicts the terrain. In the 2007 product, Sanborn applied minimal smoothing routines to minimize any distortion. Overall, the 2007 contour dataset is a better source to use given it was produced using more current techniques and minimal smoothing." Other than a site survey, nothing is going to be truly accurate.
 
Contact
  Custodian: Pravin Mathur
  Department: Public Works
  Position: GIS\Cityworks Manager
  Address: 900 E Broad St, 7th Floor
  City: Richmond
  State: Virginia
  Zip Code: 23219
  Email: Pravin.Mathur@richmondgov.com
 
Time Period of Content
  Date: Winter 2007
 
Status
  Progress: Complete
  Update Frequency: None planned
 
Spatial Domain
  West Coordinate: -77.614486
  East Coordinate: -77.370922
  North Coordinate: 37.604870
  South Coordinate: 37.438044
 
Spatial Data Information
  Data Type: vector digital data
  Data Format: SDE Feature Class
  Data Projection: Lambert Conformal Conic
 
Access and Usage Information
  Access Constraints: none
  Use Constraints: All GIS layers and datasets are owned by the City of Richmond and can not be modified, re-distributed, and/or re-sold without a sub-licensing agreement. All guarantees of validity expire once a dataset leaves the City of Richmond firewall or physical premises. Acknowledgement of the City of Richmond GIS would be appreciated in products derived from these data.
 
Entity and Attribute Information
  Entity Name: vector.ric.base_Contour2007
  Entity Type: Feature Class
  Entity Count: 85059