Learning Center

Check LiDAR elevation on the map

Tap the height button on a survey or grade map, pick a saved LiDAR DEM, then tap the map to read the LiDAR ground elevation at any point. Offline, from DEMs saved on the tablet.

  • Full Automation Kit
  • Guidance Only Kit
  • Ditch Assist Lite
  • DIG™ Kit

In the app Survey or grade map › height button › Select LiDAR Source

The elevation check reads the LiDAR ground height wherever you tap the map. Use it to see how much fall there is from a low spot to the outlet, or to sanity-check a high spot before you generate contours. It uses DEMs (LiDAR elevation surfaces) saved on the tablet, so it works offline on the module Wi-Fi.

Before you start

Time: a minute.

  • At least one field with a saved DEM (Prepare Field or Fetch LiDAR DEM). Without one the button is hidden.
  • You're on a Survey, Field Survey or grade map. The button isn't on the Levee or LiDAR & Mapping maps.
  • Helpful, not required: the field's layers on the map, so you can see where you tap (Put a field's layers on the map).

Check elevations

Tap the height button

It's the top button in the column of dark square buttons at the bottom right of the map, just above the layers button. It has a green up-and-down arrow. Green means checking is off. A window called Select LiDAR Source opens.

Survey screen over a LiDAR field with flow lines and blue depressions. At the bottom right of the map, the top button of the column has a green up-and-down arrow.
  1. Height button. Shown only when a saved DEM exists. Green = off, amber = checking.

Tap the field's DEM

The window reads Choose a saved LiDAR DEM, then tap map points to check ground elevation. Each saved DEM is listed with its size and source. Tap the one for the field you're in.

Select LiDAR Source list row: Section 12 West, 251 ac - US, with a terrain icon, and Cancel 1
  1. A saved DEM. Field name, size and source. Tap it to start checking.

Tap a spot on the map

The height button turns amber, and a message along the bottom says Tap map points to check LiDAR elevation. While checking is on, map taps only read elevations.

Survey map over a LiDAR field; the height button at the bottom right is now amber
  1. Amber height button. Checking is on; map taps read elevations.

Read the bubble

Each tap drops a green bubble with the ground elevation there, in your units, for example 1069.10 ft. A brief ... shows while it reads. The next tap moves the bubble.

Green elevation bubble reading 1069.10 ft pointing at the tapped spot
The bubble points at the spot you tapped.

To stop: tap the amber button again

The Select LiDAR Source window opens with the DEM in use ticked.

Survey map with the amber height button at the top of the button column, bottom right of the map
  1. Amber height button. Tap it to stop checking.

Tap Stop Checking

At the bottom of the window, next to Cancel. The button turns green and map taps go back to normal. In another field, tap the height button and pick that field's DEM instead.

Select LiDAR Source with Section 12 West ticked, and Stop Checking and Cancel buttons 1
  1. Stop Checking. Only there while checking is on.

Reading the numbers

  • Compare two spots, not raw numbers. LiDAR elevations come from the public survey's datum. Your GPS elevations depend on your base station and calibration, so the two won't match exactly. The difference between a low spot and the outlet is what counts.
  • The LiDAR is a snapshot of the day it was flown. Ground cut, filled or built up since will differ.
  • It is for planning. Survey and grade with RTK Fixed.

If it doesn't work

The height button isn't there

No DEM is saved on this tablet, or you are on a map that doesn't have it (Levee, LiDAR & Mapping). Save a DEM at home with internet: Prepare a field.

Tapping the map shows nothing

The point is outside the chosen DEM or on a spot with no data. Check you picked the DEM for the field you are in.

No LiDAR elevation at this point, right after picking a DEM“No LiDAR elevation at this point.”

The DEM file couldn't be read. Delete the field and prepare it again. If it keeps happening, send logs to Ditch Assist support.

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Still stuck? Talk to a product specialist. 1-833-DITCH-AS · support@ditchassist.com · Monday to Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Central.

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