Mapping Piedmont Landforms in Arizona Using ArcGIS and the Trimble GeoXT Handheld GPS Receiver

Mapping Piedmont Landforms in Arizona Using ArcGIS and the Trimble GeoXT

Handheld GPS Receiver

Anthony B. Alvarado, EITAnthony B. Alvarado, EITandand

William J. Spitz, R.G.William J. Spitz, R.G.

TASK 2.6TASK 2.6GEOMORPHIC GEOMORPHIC EVALUATION EVALUATION

ANDANDLANDFORM LANDFORM STABILITY STABILITY

ASSESSMENTASSESSMENTSTUDYSTUDYAREAAREA

(146 mi(146 mi22))

Buckeye/Sun ValleyBuckeye/Sun ValleyArea Drainage Master StudyArea Drainage Master Study

HassayampaRiver

WhiteWhite

TankTank

MountainsMountains

Sun ValleyParkway

WagnerWash

BuckeyeFRS 2

BuckeyeFRS 1

Area 4

Area 3

Granite ReefAqueduct

BuckeyeFRS 3

I-10

TASK 2.6 STUDY AREA

Geomorphic Evaluation andGeomorphic Evaluation andLandform Stability Assessment SubtasksLandform Stability Assessment Subtasks

• Piedmont Landform DelineationPiedmont Landform Delineation– Pediments, Relict Fans, Alluvial Fans, Alluvial PlainsPediments, Relict Fans, Alluvial Fans, Alluvial Plains

• Piedmont Landform Stability AssessmentPiedmont Landform Stability Assessment– Stable vs Unstable AreasStable vs Unstable Areas

• Existing Conditions Assessment of Primary Existing Conditions Assessment of Primary WashesWashes– 160 miles of washes160 miles of washes

• Delineation of Erosion Hazard SetbacksDelineation of Erosion Hazard Setbacks– White Tanks Wash, other channels in Areas 2 & 3White Tanks Wash, other channels in Areas 2 & 3

• Sediment Yield StudySediment Yield Study– 100-year storm event for each Flood Retarding Structure.100-year storm event for each Flood Retarding Structure.

• Field Verification using ATV-mounted Field Verification using ATV-mounted Trimble GeoXT GIS-based GPS.Trimble GeoXT GIS-based GPS.

Trimble GeoXTTrimble GeoXT


Applications of the Trimble GeoXT– Navigation & Tracking– Georeferencing Field Photos– Marking Waypoints or Hazards– Taking Cross-Sections– Verifying Boundary Delineations– Real Time Mapping


• Free Real-Time GPS Correction: WAAS– Wide Area Augmentation System created by

FAA • Helps guide aircraft in reduced weather conditions

» http://gps.faa.gov/

• Accuracy– Statistics from work in Arizona:

• HDOP: 81% of the time, 1.5m accuracy or better• VDOP: 44% of the time, 1 – 2m accuracy

– The more time at a location, the better the accuracy.

• ArcPad 6.0.3– Runs like a simpler version

of ArcView 8.– File Types: Shapefiles (GIS

info), and MrSID or JPEG images (not Tiffs)

• GPS Photolink– Runs separate from GeoXT– Uses the Track Log along

with a time synch photo.


Piedmont Landform DelineationPiedmont Landform Delineationand Stability Assessmentand Stability Assessment

• In-house mapping using ArcGISIn-house mapping using ArcGIS• Stage 1: Delineate lateral limits of the various Stage 1: Delineate lateral limits of the various

piedmont landforms using:piedmont landforms using:• Existing Reports and StudiesExisting Reports and Studies

• Soils Maps (NRCS)Soils Maps (NRCS)

• Geologic Maps (AZGS)Geologic Maps (AZGS)

• Flood Hazard Maps (AZGS)Flood Hazard Maps (AZGS)

• FCDMC Topographic Maps (10-ft contour interval)FCDMC Topographic Maps (10-ft contour interval)

• Sequential Aerial Photography (FCDMCSequential Aerial Photography (FCDMC))

• Stage 2: DelineateStage 2: Delineate Stable AreasStable Areas vs vs Unstable AreasUnstable Areas• Use historic aerial photo analysis to modify mapsUse historic aerial photo analysis to modify maps

2003 Aerial Photography, Soils, 2003 Aerial Photography, Soils, and 10-ft Topographyand 10-ft Topography


Surficial Geology Mapping & Surficial Geology Mapping & LandformsLandforms


Flood Hazard Mapping & Flood Hazard Mapping & Stability AssessmentStability Assessment


0 2

miles

0 2

miles


Track LogTrack LogData PointsData Points



The Track Log

Track Log DBF Table

Existing Conditions Assessment of Existing Conditions Assessment of Primary WashesPrimary Washes


Marking Waypoints and Photos


Surveying Cross-Sections


Prim ary Wash 23 - Cross Section 47

1384.00

1385.00

1386.00

1387.00

1388.00

1389.00

1390.00

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0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180

Distance (ft)

Ell

ips

oid

Ele

va

tio

n (

ft)

View Downstream View Upstream

Primary Wash 23 – Cross Section 47

Distance (ft)

Ele

vati

on

(ft

) View Downstream

Delineation of Erosion Hazard SetbacksDelineation of Erosion Hazard Setbacks

Sediment Yield AnalysisSediment Yield Analysis

Sub-Basins, NRCS Soils, Topography, Sub-Basins, NRCS Soils, Topography, Slopes, and 2003 Aerial PhotographySlopes, and 2003 Aerial Photography

SUMMARYSUMMARY

• BSV ADMS Geomorphic Evaluation and BSV ADMS Geomorphic Evaluation and Landform Stability Assessment Mapping Landform Stability Assessment Mapping Using ArcGISUsing ArcGIS

• Field Verification & Data Collection using Field Verification & Data Collection using Trimble GeoXTTrimble GeoXT

• Summary of Results:Summary of Results:– Identified and delineated 16 new active alluvial fansIdentified and delineated 16 new active alluvial fans

– Numerous other unstable areas delineatedNumerous other unstable areas delineated

– Existing conditions assessment of 160 miles of washes Existing conditions assessment of 160 miles of washes

– Field verification of over 20 miles of erosion setbacksField verification of over 20 miles of erosion setbacks

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Mapping Piedmont Landforms in Arizona Using ArcGIS and the Trimble GeoXT Handheld GPS Receiver