This data set contains a digital elevation model consisting of points with their geographic coordinate location and an associated elevation for the state of Rhode Island.
They may be used as input for the generation of surface models and contours or the the orthorectificaiton process of aerial photography. The 5KDEM data set available from the RIGIS was produced for the processing of the 1:5000 scale black and white digital orthophoto images. The 5kDEM data points were collected on analytical stereoplotters at a sufficient density to support generation of 3 meter contours conforming to the National Map Accuracy Standards (+ or - 1.5 meters). Mass points were collected along parallel scan lines 75 meters apart at variable dnsity as a function of the topography and other ground features. Spot elevations at summits and in depressions and breaklines along significant linear features were also collected. Distinctions between "hard" and "soft" breaklines were established and standardized to facilitate the generation of contours. The 5KDEMS are stored and distributed in ASCII delimited text format.
The 5kDEM data points were collected on analytical stereoplotters at a sufficient density to support generation of 3 meter contours conforming to the National Map Accuracy Standards (+ or - 1.5 meters). Mass points were collected along parallel scan lines 75 meters apart at variable dnsity as a function of the topography and other ground features. Spot elevations at summits and in depressions and breaklines along significant linear features were also collected. Distinctions between "hard" and "soft" breaklines were established and standardized to facilitate the generation of contours. Four hundred and eleven individual image tile DEMs were appended into one statewide ASCII data set using commercially available database software

About RIGIS

The Rhode Island Geographic Information System (RIGIS) is a consortium of government and private organizations employing computer and communications technology to manage and use a collective database of comprehensive geographically related information. The mission of the RIGIS is to monitor, coordinate, and provide leadership for activities related to the use of GIS technology within Rode Island, to support initiatives to implement or use the technology, and to manage and provide access to a common database of geographically referenced information.

The RIGIS database is maintained on a server at the University of Rhode Island's Kingston Campus, and at the Rhode Island Department of Administration in Providence. The Environmental Data Center within the Department of Natural Resource Sciences at the University provides on line access (web-browser only) to most RIGIS data via the Internet at www.edc.uri.edu/RIGIS. Data can also be provided on magnetic and optical media by request from the RIGIS coordinator at the RI Department of Administration's Statewide Planning program at rigis@admin.ri.gov.