Connecticut Hillshade for 2000 is a hillshade dataset for Connecticut based on 10-foot spatial resolution elevation information for Connecticut. It generates the appearance of a three-dimensional representation of terrain by placing shadows cast on high ground as if sunlight is shining from the northwestern direction. As a result, the northwestern side of elevated areas is intentionally lighter in color than the southeastern side. Relatively flat areas are not shadowed and appear smooth, whereas steeper slopes appear rough with the southeastern side appearing darker in color.

This hillshade information for Connecticut was obtained from the University of Connecticut, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Center for Land Use Education and Research (CLEAR). It is derived from point elevation data available for Connecticut captured during the year 2000 using Light Detection And Ranging (LiDAR) technology. Note, the 2000 LiDAR data for Connecticut is not complete so this statewide hillshade information may be incorrect in some areas.  For unknown reasons, in some areas of the state there are gaps in the underlying LiDAR point data. This is a known limitation of the 2000 LiDAR data for Connecticut. In an effort to create a seamless statewide elevation dataset, the University of Connecticut, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources edited point elevation files to remove anomalous observations. Given the volume of data, there are likely errors present in the point data as well as in an interpolated surface. The elevation data are in a gridded format and are projected into the State Plane Coordinate System Zone 0600, orthometric heights (NAVD 88) in US Survey feet.

This information is used to represent the general shape of landforms such as hills, valleys and ridges and is useful to cartographically illustrate geomorphic patterns, hydrologic (stream) networks, drainage patterns, etc. This hillshade information is best used for regional analysis and not intended for use at detailed scales or to determine the exact elevation at a particular location.

Based on a statewide data in ArcInfo format named ct-hillshade obtained from the University of Connecticut, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. This information is derived from point elevation data available for Connecticut that was captured in 2000 using Light Detection And Ranging (LiDAR) technology.

Aero-Metric, Inc. of Sheboygan Wisconsin was contracted by the State of Connecticut to provide the 2004 Statewide Aerial Survey of Connecticut. Contract deliverables include digital orthohotos, two sets of non-rectified prints for stereoscopic viewing, photo indexes, and LiDAR data. All 2004 Statewide Aerial Survey imagery and data products are defined under State of Connecticut contract award number RFP-990-A-14-0518-C (dated Feb 22, 2000), including contract award supplement #1 (dated Feb 28, 2002), contract award supplement #2 (dated Nov 4, 2004), contract award supplement #3 (dated Nov 26, 2004) and contract award supplement #4 (dated May 13, 2005). TerraPoint LLC of Woodlands Texas was subcontracted to create a Connecticut Statewide LIDAR dataset.

collection date

None. No restrictions or legal prerequisites for accessing the data. The data is in the public domain and may be redistributed.

None. No restrictions or legal prerequisites for using the data after access is granted. The data are derived through the spatial interpolation of airborne LiDAR collected in the year 2000. There is a known limitation in the LiDAR data collected for Connecticut. The LiDAR data is not complete and did not cover all of Connecticut. For unknown reasons, elevation information was not captured in some areas, resulting in data gaps in the underlying LiDAR point data. These data gaps are a know limitation in the 20-foot posting LiDAR data collected for Connecticut during the year 2000. In an effort to create a seamless statewide elevation dataset, the University of Connecticut, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources edited point elevation files to remove anomalous observations. Given the volume of data, there are likely errors present in the point data as well as in an interpolated surface.

This information may be incorrect in some areas due to gaps in the underlying point elevation LiDAR data used to generate the hillshade effect. When displayed at a detailed map scale, the hillshade will appear discontinuous in areas where information is incorrect, and linear breaks in the hillshade become apparent in areas where there are errors in the underlying elevation data. Due to these anomalies and inconsistencies, use caution when viewing and analyzing this informaiton.

The horizontal positional accuracy of this data is not known. The horizontal positional accuracy of the 20-foot posting LiDAR 2000 point data used to create this data product is approximately 3 feet on the ground.

The data are derived through the spatial interpolation of airborne LiDAR collected in the year 2000. There is a known limitation in the LiDAR data collected for Connecticut. The LiDAR data is not complete and did not cover all of Connecticut. For unknown reasons, elevation information was not captured in some areas, resulting in data gaps in the underlying LiDAR point data. These data gaps are a know limitation in the 20-foot posting LiDAR data collected for Connecticut during the year 2000. In an effort to create a seamless statewide elevation dataset, the University of Connecticut, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources edited point elevation files to remove anomalous observations. Given the volume of data, there are likely errors present in the point data as well as in an interpolated surface.

Connecticut Hillshade for 2000

Although this data set  has been used by the State of Connecticut, no warranty, expressed or implied, is made by the State of Connecticut as to the accuracy of the data and or related materials.  The act of distribution shall not constitute any such warranty, and no responsibility is assumed by the State of Connecticut in the use of these data or related materials. The user assumes the entire risk related to the use of these data.

Geographic information sytem (GIS), computer-aided drawing or other mapping software is necessary to display, view and access the information.

None. No restrictions or legal prerequisites for accessing the metadata.

None. No restrictions or legal prerequisites for using the metadata after access is granted.