This is a seamless bare earth digital elevation model (DEM) created from lidar terrain elevation data for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. It represents the elevation of the surface with vegetation and structures removed. The spatial resolution of the map is 1 meter. The elevation of each 1-meter square cell was linearly interpolated from classified lidar-derived point data.This version of the DEM stores the elevation values as integers. The native VALUE field represents the elevation above/below sea level in meters. MassGIS added a FEET field to the VAT (value attribute table) to store the elevation in feet as calculated by multiplying VALUE x 3.28084.Dates of lidar data used in this DEM range from 2010-2015. The overlapping lidar projects were adjusted to the same projection and datum and then mosaicked, with the most recent data replacing any older data. Several very small gaps between the project areas were patched with older lidar data where necessary or with models from recent aerial photo acquisitions. See https://www.mass.gov/doc/lidar-project-areas-original/download for an index map.This DEM is referenced to the WGS_1984_Web_Mercator_Auxiliary_Sphere spatial reference.See the MassGIS datalayer page to download the data as a file geodatabase raster dataset.View this service in the Massachusetts Elevation Finder.

Visit the MassGIS website for all the nitty-gritty details about the elevation data. For Martha's Vineyard, the data displayed on this map (as of Nov 2024) were collected in the Spring of 2021. Vertical datum is NAVD88.

Digital Elevation Model from Lidar (2013-2021), with values in meters and feet. Image service published by MassGIS from ArcGIS Server.The DEM was created from Light Detection and Ranging (Lidar) terrain and elevation data that cover the entirety of Massachusetts. This DEM is based on the best available lidar data, as described at the Lidar Terrain Data page. The DEM is a 16-bit signed integer raster dataset and has a 0.5 meter pixel resolution.This image service is the source for the values appearing in the popup in the Massachusetts Elevation Finder application.

This shaded relief image was generated from the lidar-based bare-earth digital elevation model (DEM). A shaded relief image provides an illustration of variations in elevation using artificial shadows. Based on a specified position of the sun, areas that would be in sunlight are highlighted and areas that would be in shadow are shaded. In this instance, the position of the sun was assumed to be 45 degrees above the northwest horizon.The shaded relief image shows areas that are not in direct sunlight as shadowed. It does not show shadows that would be cast by topographic features onto the surrounding surface.Using ERDAS IMAGINE, a 3X3 neighborhood around each pixel in the DEM was analyzed, and a comparison was made between the sun's position and the angle that each pixel faces. The pixel was then assigned a value between -1 and +1 to represent the amount of light reflected. Negative numbers and zero values represent shadowed areas, and positive numbers represent sunny areas. In ArcGIS Desktop 10.7.1, the image was converted to a JPEG 2000 format with values from 0 (black) to 255 (white).See the MassGIS datalayer page to download the data as a JPEG 2000 image file.View this service in the Massachusetts Elevation Finder.MassGIS has also published a Lidar Shaded Relief tile service (cache) hosted in ArcGIS Online.

This tile service, hosted by MassGIS, features Lidar-derived elevation and shaded relief for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

The service uses statewide versions of the digital elevation model and shaded relief from the Lidar DEM and Shaded Relief imagery.MassGIS created the tile service in ArcGIS Pro, using the "Multiply" Darkening blending mode to "burn in" the shaded relief to the elevation layer. The elevation layer is symbolized with a custom color ramp. The shaded relief is displayed with 45% transparency.View the data along with an elevation image service in the Massachusetts Elevation Finder.

MassGIS scanned the USGS topographic quadrangles to create a digital database that can provide images of the paper maps. These images can be used as a backdrop for plotting vector data and for interpretation and analysis. MassGIS scanned the 15-minute series (vintage 1982-1990) where these maps were available; the 7.5-minute maps (1967-1979) were used elsewhere. Note that the elevation labels for the contours on the maps may be in meters or feet, depending on the vintage of the original paper map that MassGIS scanned. Contour labels on maps from 1982 and later are in meters; labels on maps from 1967 through 1979 are in feet. See the

December 1995, June 2001

This datalayer is part of a group of layers used for research in the Ipswich River Watershed. This is Digital Elevation Model data for the study area, in a 30-meter grid. The source elevation tile data was provided on the MassGIS website www.state.ma.us/mgis/massgis.htm in ESRI-format shapefile format and imported into IDRISI software using the ShapeIdr command. The resulting vector elevation files were converted to raster format using successive Lineras macro commands. This has the effect of mosaicing the tiles as well. The raster image was filtered once using a low-pass (mean) filter, then masked to the Ipswich study area parameters (extent). This datalayer was produced as part of a research project concerning the Ipswich River Watershed.

The MassGIS Topographic Features for Basemap is a general-reference map that contains a variety of features, all from the MassGIS database. The map was designed by MassGIS staff in ESRI's ArcMap 10.x software and was
cached (pre-rendered) for the Web using ArcGIS Server 10.x. The caching process greatly speeds the display of all basemap features.This Topographic Base includes shaded relief, elevation contour lines with labels in feet, protected open space (parks, forests, preserves, etc.), hydrography (lakes, ponds, rivers, streams, wetlands), ocean, surrounding states, developed land areas, and airfields and runways.Other "basemap" features, like streets, infrastructure (schools, hospitals, rail lines, etc.) and political boundaries, are included in the "MassGIS Detailed Features Basemap Map Layer" and may be drawn atop this Topographic Base to display a more complete basemap.See full details

The MassGIS Topographic Features for Basemap is a general-reference map that contains a variety of features, all from the MassGIS database. The map was designed by MassGIS staff and cached (pre-rendered) for the web using ArcGIS Pro. The caching process greatly speeds the display of all basemap features.

This Topographic Base includes shaded relief, elevation contour lines with labels in feet, protected open space (parks, forests, preserves, etc.), hydrography (lakes, ponds, rivers, streams, wetlands), ocean, surrounding states, developed land areas, and airfields and runways.

Other "basemap" features, like streets, infrastructure (schools, hospitals, rail lines, etc.) and political boundaries, are included in the "MassGIS Detailed Features Basemap Map Layer" and may be drawn atop this Topographic Base to display a more complete basemap.More details...

Coastal Risk Screening Tool: Map By Elevation Data

This tile layer from MassGIS displays elevation and shaded relief imagery derived from 2013-2021 lidar data for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The elevation data is symbolized with a custom color ramp. The shaded relief data is symbolized with the sunlight shining from the northwest (315 degrees) at a sun angle of 45 degrees. The two image datasets are displayed using a blending mode as mapped in ArcGIS Pro software.Data for the eastern and central areas of the mainland was captured in 2021, Nantucket from 2018, and the western part of the state from 2013 and 2014. The tile service will display at scale levels 7 (1:4.6M) to 19 (1:1128).For more information and links to data downloads, see MassGIS' Lidar Terrain Data page.

MassGIS Basemap, as a tile layer hosted at ArcGIS Online.

This map includes a topographic base with terrain and natural features including shaded relief, states outside Massachusetts, water bodies and rivers, wetlands, cranberry bogs, tidal flats, elevation contours and protected open space.

Detailed features include: Political Boundaries (Massachusetts cities and towns and counties), Transportation (Massachusetts Department of Transportation Roads, MBTA subway and Commuter Rail lines and stations, Airports, Airport Runways and Airfields, Ferry Routes and Seaports), Infrastructure and Facilities (Lighthouses, Schools, Colleges and Universities, Hospitals, Police Stations, Fire Stations, Town Halls, Places of Worship and 2-D building roofprints).

Does not include parcels.

This tile cache is used in the MassGIS Basemap web map, which appears in the Basemaps dropdown in MassGIS' ArcGIS Online web maps and apps.

Read more...

United States Interagency Elevation InventoryThis catalog of publicly available, high-accuracy elevation data for the United States and its territories is collaboratively maintained by six federal partners. The inventory provides an important central location for information about elevation data sets and decreases duplicate data collection efforts.The elevation inventory is maintained by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Resources Conservation Service and Forest Service, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), and National Park Service (NPS). These agencies work together to collect footprints of data from federal, state, regional, and county groups that have topographic or bathymetric data available. Where possible, 29 attributes are provided for topography and up to 10 attributes are provided for bathymetry to give users a better idea of data set quality. This information is updated through the efforts of these agencies. The topographic portion of the elevation inventory is updated approximately quarterly. The bathymetric information and the USACE Hydrographic Surveys are kept up to date dynamically using web map services. Links to these services are provided on the viewer home page.

This shaded relief image was generated from the lidar-based bare-earth digital elevation model (DEM). A shaded relief image provides an illustration of variations in elevation using artificial shadows. Based on a specified position of the sun, areas that would be in sunlight are highlighted and areas that would be in shadow are shaded. In this instance, the position of the sun was assumed to be 45 degrees above the northwest horizon.The shaded relief image shows areas that are not in direct sunlight as shadowed. It does not show shadows that would be cast by topographic features onto the surrounding surface.Using ERDAS IMAGINE, a 3X3 neighborhood around each pixel in the DEM was analyzed, and a comparison was made between the sun's position and the angle that each pixel faces. The pixel was then assigned a value between -1 and +1 to represent the amount of light reflected. Negative numbers and zero values represent shadowed areas, and positive numbers represent sunny areas. In ArcGIS Desktop 10.7.1, the image was converted to a JPEG 2000 format with values from 0 (black) to 255 (white).See the MassGIS datalayer page to download the data as a JPEG 2000 image file.View this service in the Massachusetts Elevation Finder.MassGIS has also published a Lidar Shaded Relief image service from ArcGIS Server.

This image dataset in this tile service is a model of the altitude of the bedrock surface at 100 meter resolution and was derived from the data points feature class. Bedrock altitudes range from a high of 1059 meters (above NAVD88) at Mount Greylock to a low of -512 meters on Nantucket.Map service is also available.See full metadata page.

The data in this feature service uses the same polygons as the MassGIS USGS 1:24,000 Surficial Geology data layer and includes minimum, maximum, and average hydraulic conductivity in feet per day for each surficial unit. Hydraulic conductivity values were extracted from U.S. Geological Survey groundwater reports, Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection Zone II reports, and other Massachusetts-specific journal articles (a total of 165 aquifer tests or aggregates of aquifer tests depending on the available data in each report).The Hydrogeologic Atlas of Massachusetts provides data on the hydraulic properties of the statewide surficial aquifers. The datasets were developed using surficial geology, bedrock altitude, a statewide groundwater flow model, and a compilation of hydraulic property data from U.S. Geological Survey groundwater reports, Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection Zone II reports, and other Massachusetts-specific journal articles (a total of 23 sources).\One of the goals of this project was to understand current and projected future groundwater flooding risks across the state. To understand groundwater flooding risks, we developed a statewide three-dimensional groundwater flow model to simulate the water table elevation. The Hydrogeologic Atlas of Massachusetts compiles new datasets developed as input into the groundwater model, groundwater model simulation results, and other statewide map products created through this project. For further information regarding the methods of this study see Corkran et al. (2024), a report submitted to the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs.Suggested Citation:Corkran, D., Kirshen, A., Moran, B.J., Blin, N., King, R., Bresee, M., & Boutt, D. (2024). Massachusetts State-wide Groundwater Model and Flooding Risk Assessment 1.0. Report funded by the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs and published on the ResilientMass website.See full metadata and the map service.

This raster in this tile service portrays the combined kriging prediction standard errors and depth to bedrock measurement uncertainties at 100-meter resolution. The kriging prediction standard errors for each grid cell are produced as output from the empirical Bayesian kriging process. The measurement uncertainties are assigned to the data by the authors based on who acquired the depth to bedrock data, the specific source of the data, or the method of data acquisition (drill hole or geophysical method).Map service is also available.See full metadata page.

This monochromatic image dataset was generated from MassGIS' 2005 elevation surface so that for a specific position of the sun, the values in the image represent the amount of light theoretically reflected to a position directly above the scene. The position of the sun was chosen as follows: - Solar azimuth: 315 degrees measured clockwise from due north (northwest). - Solar elevation: 45 degrees above the horizon. Slopes that face the direction of the sun appear highlighted and slopes that face away from the sun appear in darker shades. The data values have been scaled so that a value of 1 represents zero light reflectance, and a value of 255 represents maximum light reflectance. Shaded relief images are used in analysis, as well as making it easier visually to interpret slope, aspect, and changes in elevation. Shadows are not modeled.

This tiled cached map service is hosted in MassGIS' ArcGIS Online account for fast display.

View metadata at http://www.mass.gov/anf/research-and-tech/it-serv-and-support/application-serv/office-of-geographic-information-massgis/datalayers/elev2005.html.

The data in this map service is a polygon feature class (converted from a 100-meter resolution raster dataset) that uses the hydraulic conductivity fields from SURFGEO24K_K_POLY, water table elevation from the statewide groundwater flow model, and bedrock altitude to calculate aquifer yield and minimum, maximum, and average transmissivity in square feet per day. Transmissivity was calculated as hydraulic conductivity multiplied by aquifer thickness. Aquifer thickness was determined by the water table elevation minus bedrock altitude. Transmissivity cutoff values to characterize aquifer yield were from the MassGIS Aquifers layer (AQUIFERS_POLY).The Hydrogeologic Atlas of Massachusetts provides data on the hydraulic properties of the statewide surficial aquifers. The datasets were developed using surficial geology, bedrock altitude, a statewide groundwater flow model, and a compilation of hydraulic property data from U.S. Geological Survey groundwater reports, Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection Zone II reports, and other Massachusetts-specific journal articles (a total of 23 sources).One of the goals of this project was to understand current and projected future groundwater flooding risks across the state. To understand groundwater flooding risks, we developed a statewide three-dimensional groundwater flow model to simulate the water table elevation. The Hydrogeologic Atlas of Massachusetts compiles new datasets developed as input into the groundwater model, groundwater model simulation results, and other statewide map products created through this project. For further information regarding the methods of this study see Corkran et al. (2024), a report submitted to the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs.Suggested Citation:Corkran, D., Kirshen, A., Moran, B.J., Blin, N., King, R., Bresee, M., & Boutt, D. (2024). Massachusetts State-wide Groundwater Model and Flooding Risk Assessment 1.0. Report funded by the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs and published on the ResilientMass website.See full metadata and the feature service.