The latest data product of the multidisciplinary U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Tampa Bay Study is a new topobathymetric map that merges topographic (land elevation) and bathymetric (water depth) data into a high-resolution image of Tampa Bay and adjacent watersheds. With a spatial resolution of approximately three meters, this topobathymetric map is the highest resolution map of its type for Tampa Bay.
The Tampa Bay Study is taking an integrated science approach to study interrelations between geological, biological, chemical, and hydrological components of the Tampa Bay estuarine system. This technique provides scientists and managers with tools to measure the impacts of changes, both natural and anthropogenic, to all components of estuarine systems. Results from this research will enable scientists and resource managers to better assess management strategies and guide future policy.
The map is available at http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2007/1051/. The LiDAR data can be downloaded from http://gulfsci.usgs.gov/tampabay/data/1_lidar/index.html.
Article originally published Summer 2007.
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