Floodplain Mapping

Client

Genzel Land Surveying

Project Overview

Genzel Land Surveying was engaged to support a contractor planning the construction of three new residential homes. To meet local municipal requirements, the contractor needed confirmation that the proposed building sites were not located within a regulated floodplain. This required a detailed topographic map of an approximately 40-acre site, clearly illustrating existing ground conditions relative to the mapped floodplain boundary.

Traditional surveying methods were possible, but site conditions and scheduling constraints made them inefficient. DronePoint was brought in to provide a faster, cost-effective solution using UAV-based LiDAR, photogrammetry, and civil drafting services.

Aerial photograph captured by drone depicting a creek traversing the property.

The Challenge

The primary challenge was producing accurate, municipality-ready topographic data for floodplain verification within a limited timeframe.

Key constraints included:

• A 40-acre site with noticeable elevation change

• An active wheat field that limited efficient ground access

• Time-sensitive review and permitting requirements

• The need to clearly demonstrate that three proposed home sites were outside the floodplain

Relying solely on conventional ground methods would have increased field time, office processing time, and overall project cost.

Why a Drone-Based LiDAR Approach

Genzel Land Surveying selected DronePoint based on prior successful collaborations and confidence in the quality of deliverables.

Additional factors included:

• Competitive pricing well within budget

• Rapid mobilization to the site

• Fast turnaround of usable deliverables

• Demonstrated expertise in UAV and LiDAR technology

Our Approach

DronePoint worked as a seamless extension of Genzel Land Surveying’s workflow.

• Our approach included:

• Coordinating data requirements and scope in advance

• UAV LiDAR and photogrammetry data collection across the full 40-acre site

• Processing and validating terrain data

• Civil drafting to integrate topography with floodplain mapping

This approach minimized time in the field while maximizing accuracy and usability of the final deliverables.

Deliverables

DronePoint provided a complete, ready-to-use dataset, including:

• LiDAR-derived topographic surface

• High-resolution ortho-mosaic imagery

• Civil drafting deliverables in DWG format

• Floodplain boundary overlaid directly onto the ortho-mosaic and topography

These deliverables allowed for quick municipal review and confident decision-making by the contractor.

Contours overlaid on the orthomosaic image to enhance clarity and visual interpretation.

Results & Impact

The UAV-based solution delivered clear advantages over traditional surveying methods:

• Time savings: Reduced both field and office time compared to conventional approaches

• Cost efficiency: Lower overall project cost by minimizing labor-intensive ground surveying

• Improved workflow: Allowed the surveyor to focus on boundary and legal surveying

• Faster approvals: Information delivered ahead of alternative methods

Client Outcome

The contractor was able to proceed with confidence, knowing the proposed homes were located outside the regulated floodplain. For Genzel Land Surveying, the project delivered meaningful operational benefits.

Conclusion

This project demonstrates how UAV LiDAR and photogrammetry can streamline floodplain mapping for residential development. By replacing time-intensive ground surveying with aerial data collection and integrated drafting, DronePoint helped reduce costs, accelerate schedules, and improve workflow efficiency—while maintaining the accuracy required for municipal approval.

Digital Elevation Model (DEM) of the project site