Forest Fish Project
Digital Elevation Modelling in Ontario
As is mentioned in the Topographic Index section, digital elevation models provide a means for computing a spatially-distributed topographic index of surface and near-surface saturation. Digital elevation modelling in Ontario has evolved throughout the 1990’s and into the 21st century at the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and the Canadian Forest Service. There have been continuous improvements to the quality of the models and to the extent that these datasets cover. There is now a greater acceptance and capacity for the use of these spatially distributed models in Ontario. This is largely due to more integrated information systems such as Land Information Ontario and standardization of GIS platforms such as ArcGIS throughout government and academia.
Major Digital Elevation Modelling Initiatives
Mackey, B.G., McKenney D.W., Widdifield C.A, Sims, R.A, Lawrence K., Szcyrek N. 1994. A new digital elevation model of Ontario. Natural Resources Canada, Canadian Forest Service – Ontario, Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. NODA/NFP Technical Report TR-6. 26pp.
Kenny, F.M., Christilaw S., Bates, S.C. 1998. Providing the surface datum: MNR’s options for developing a large-scale provincial digital elevation model. Paper submitted to ‘Groundwater in a watershed context’ Conference. December 4-6, 1998. Burlington, Ontario.
Bates, S.C., Perry, C.L., Matthews, B.C. 2002. WRIP: A guide to the provincial watershed project – Second Edition. Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Internal Report. 25pp.
Ontario’s Current Provincial Model
Inputs: NRVIS contours & stream networks
Interpolation: ANUDEM 4.6.3 – thin plate spline interpolation, hydrologically conditioned
Resolution: 10 metre & 20 metre
Format: gridded binary floating point file
Projection: universal tranverse mercator