What is the National Elevation Dataset (NED)?

The National Elevation Dataset (NED) serves as a comprehensive and authoritative source of elevation data for the United States. This dataset is crucial for various applications in geographic information systems, as it provides high-resolution topographic information that supports land management, disaster response, hydrology assessments, and urban planning.

NED incorporates data collected from multiple sources, including LiDAR, satellite imagery, and traditional surveying methods, creating a consistent elevation model across the entire country. By utilizing the NED, GIS professionals can visualize terrain, analyze landscape characteristics, and perform geospatial analysis more effectively. The importance of accurate elevation data cannot be overstated, as it plays a critical role in applications ranging from infrastructure development to environmental monitoring.

Other options focus on different types of datasets that are not related to elevation. For instance, land use data, weather data, and hydrographic information pertain to different aspects of geographic information and have their respective repositories and datasets separate from the NED. This distinction reinforces the unique purpose and utility of the National Elevation Dataset specifically in providing elevation information.