Project Examples: Landscape Visualizations &

Scenario Modeling

Lex Ivey, President

DAM REMOVAL VISUALIZATIONElwha River Dam Removal VisualizationAmerican Rivers hired TerraCognito GIS to visually model two proposed dam removals on the Elwha River in Washington’s Olympic National Park. TerraCognito created interactive, photo-realistic, 3D visualization of existing conditions, as well as various stages of dam removal, including draw-down, riverbed restoration, and re-vegetation. The visualizations were used extensively by American Rivers throughout the settlement negotiation process and in meetings with legislators, ultimately resulting in the impending removal of the Glines Canyon and Elwha dams. Commencing in 2011, the dismantling of the Elwha and Glines Canyon dams will allow the river to flow freely for the first time in 100 years, restoring over 70 miles of salmon and steelhead habitat.

random color ramp

hillshade raster

photo-real sediment texture

Existing conditions Dam removal / Reservoir draw down Restored river channel

WILDFIRE MITIGATION

Landscape Visualization of Forest TreatmentCost-Benefit Model

Ray Mesa Wildfire MitigationThe Bureau of Land Management's Moab, Utah Field Office hired Lex Ivey to model fire hazard mitigation for Ray Mesa, examining the effectiveness of various treatment alternatives, as well as their associated fiscal, socioeconomic, and visual impacts. The consultant defined and weighted several criteria to identify areas that would benefit most from fire mitigation practices. By embedding fuel model data formulated by the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) into the model, the consultant was able to compare current fuel loads in the forest with those that would remain after various types of treatments, such as prescribed burning and mechanical and manual thinning. The model allowed the BLM to measure the effectiveness and cost of the various treatment types, as well as the contribution to the local economy in terms of contract labor. The visual impacts of each fire treatment alternative could also be seen in a regional, photo-realistic 3D visualization. The methods, results, methods, and discussion culminated in a satellite television broadcast to all BLM offices across the nation.

DAM REMOVAL VISUALIZATIONKlamath River Dam Removal VisualizationAmerican Rivers hired TerraCognito GIS to visually model two proposed dam removals on the Klamath River in California. Interactive, real-time, 3D visualization of existing conditions were created, as well as various stages of dam removal, including draw-down, riverbed restoration, and re-vegetation.The visualizations were used extensively by American Rivers throughout the settlement negotiation process and in meetings with legislators, and in “inspiring” potential funders who may be called upon to help with the costs of restoration.In November 2008 PacifiCorp (power company), the federal government, and the states of California and Oregon signed an Agreement in Principle stating that the benefits of dam removal outweigh the potential costs and impacts.

hillshade

photo-real restoration texture

elevation

aspect

slope

Existing conditions Dam removal / Reservoir draw down Restored river channel

NATURAL HAZARD/RISK MODELING

Land Use Allocation Model

Landscape Visualization of Debris Flow and Future Growth Scenario

Squamish Natural Hazard/Risk CharacterizationThe Geologic Survey of Canada hired TerraCognito GIS to model a variety of natural hazards and their imposed risk for Squamish, British Columbia. LIDAR Data, Satellite Imagery, Assessor’s records, and detailed geophysical data were compiled into CommunityViz to create a dynamic, interactive hazard/risk characterization tool that modeled future residential and commercial growth scenarios in the context of risk. Potential loss from flood, debris flow and sea level rise scenarios were analyzed and visualized to compare and contrast mitigation measures versus relocation of personal property.

FLOOD HAZARD/RISK MODELING

Kaycee Flood Risk AssessmentThe Natural Resource Conservation Service hired TerraCognito GIS to model flood hazard and risk for Kaycee, Wyoming. LIDAR Data, Satellite Imagery, Assessor’s records, and detailed flood survey data were compiled into CommunityViz to create a dynamic, interactive hazard/risk characterization tool. Potential loss from three flood scenarios were analyzed and visualized to compare and contrast flood mitigation measures versus relocation of personal property.

Hazard/Risk Assessment Model

Normal Conditions

10-year Flood

50-year Flood

100-year Flood

DAM REMOVAL VISUALIZATIONColumbia River Dam Removal VisualizationAmerican Rivers hired TerraCognito GIS to visually model two proposed dam removals on the Columbia River in Idaho and Washington. Interactive, real-time, 3D visualization of existing conditions, as well as various stages of dam removal, including draw-down, riverbed restoration, and re-vegetation.

Restored Channel

Draw down

Existing conditions

office: 303-258-3515mobile: 303-808-3420

lexivey@terracog.comwww.terracog.com