Fugro Horizons, Inc., has been selected by the International Water Institute to acquire highly accurate elevation data across the Red River Basin.

The Red River Basin Mapping Initiative is a $5.0 million dollar project implemented by the International Water Institute. Thanks to the efforts of Senator Byron Dorgan and 13 non-federal and 3 federal funding partners, the Red River Basin Mapping Initiative. The project will include the entire US portion of the Red River Basin in ND, MN and SD (~40,000 miles2).

Initially identified as a need by numerous local, state, and federal agencies after the 1997 flood, the essential high accuracy digital elevation data will have numerous applications including flood plain management, flood forecasting, and decision-support, precision farming, project alternatives analysis, and planning. With the exception of the urban areas along the Red River, most of the Red River Basin has elevation data that is over 35 years old with accuracies ranging from 6 - 23 feet. "Data collected through the RRBMI will have 15 centimeter - about 6 inch - accuracy. That is an incredible improvement when compared to what is currently available," says Chuck Fritz, project manager and Director of the International Water Institute.

"Our staff, along with the local survey support of Kadramas Lee and Jackson are committed to provide high accuracy DEM, which will bring enormous value to this important mapping initiative, for all participating federal, state, and local agencies involved, " said Larry Deibert, President of Fugro Horizons, Inc.

Data will be collected using Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) technologies, using Fugro Horizons aircraft with global positioning systems, computers, and lasers. LiDAR is a proven technology capable of collecting massive quantities of highly accurate elevation data over large land regions. The digital elevation data will be available to the public at no charge on the US Geological Survey's website.

After completing an exhaustive request for proposals and a proposal review process earlier this year, the Institute selected Fugro-Horizons Inc. of Rapid City, South Dakota as the prime contractor. Houston Engineering Inc. will be providing data quality assurance services. "This project will profoundly impact how we make and defend natural resources management decisions in the Red River Basin. We are excited to begin this important initiative with Horizons, Houston Engineering, and our local, state and federal partners" says Paul Swenson US Chair International Water Institute.