Comparison of Light Detection and Ranging and National Elevation Dataset Digital Elevation Model on Floodplains of North Carolina

USGS national elevation dataset (NED) digital elevation model (DEM) data and four sets of light detection and ranging (LIDAR) DEMs were compared for Pitt County, North Carolina. The NED DEM has a spatial resolution of 30×30m. Two sets of the LIDAR DEMs have a spatial resolution of 6.1×6.1m and 15.2×15.2m, respectively. To compare the DEMs spatially, two LIDAR DEMs were resampled into 30×30m resolution. Statistically, the LIDAR DEMs were very similar to each other, and there was some difference with the LIDAR DEMs versus NED DEM. All five DEMs covering the floodplains between the cities of Greenville and Washington were then utilized to map a flood extent. The spatial patterns of individual categories on the maps agreed 87.4–95.0%. Finally, modeled inundation extents were examined against the 1999 flood event. The overall accuracy for selected flooded and nonflooded sites ranged 92.5–96.1%.