On Wednesday, the Montana DNRC conducted a study on water flow at Boulder Creek using drone and Lidar technology. According to David Saba, a Hydrologist with the Montana Dept. of Natural Resources and Conservation, Lidar technology has an advantage over photogrammetry as it can see through vegetation, which is beneficial when working around streams with lots of trees and vegetation.
The team used their drone to capture imagery of nearly 200 acres and one mile of the creek, creating a topographical map of the area using photographs and Lidar technology. The Lidar technology involves the use of a laser that bounces between the earth and the drone to aid in mapping.
In September of last year, the team first used this Lidar drone technology at Boulder Creek and found the results to be promising, prompting them to continue using this advanced technology at various sites. The Boulder Creek site features a gauging station that measures water height, providing crucial data for the DNRC to understand water flow. By creating these maps, additional information is gathered to complement the data collected from gauges, aiding in the management of water rights and formulation of better policies.
While drones with advanced Lidar technology are currently considered cost-prohibitive for broad application, the information gathered from this study will be vital in better managing water resources in Montana to make informed decisions on water usage.
