Indian Creek LiDAR Project | F17AS00308

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - Indian Creek LiDAR Project (F17AS00308)

What is the Indian Creek LiDAR Project?

The Indian Creek LiDAR Project is a discretionary grant-funded effort to acquire LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) data across the Indian Creek Watershed in the Klamath River basin. The goal is to produce high-resolution topographic digital elevation models (DEMs) that provide detailed ground-surface information, especially in areas where small changes in elevation matter.

What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON) for this grant?

The Funding Opportunity Number is F17AS00308.

Which federal agency issued this grant opportunity?

This opportunity was issued by the U.S. Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service.

What CFDA program is associated with this opportunity?

The notice lists CFDA 15.608.

Is this an open, competitive funding opportunity?

No. The notice is explicitly labeled as a notice of intent rather than an open competitive solicitation, and it states the opportunity has already been awarded.

Who received the award for this opportunity?

The notice states the opportunity has already been awarded to the Mid Klamath Watershed Council.

How many awards were expected under this opportunity?

The expected number of awards is one.

What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?

The award ceiling listed in the notice is $31,845.

What is the main purpose of collecting LiDAR data for this project?

The core purpose is to generate high-resolution topographic DEMs that offer much more detailed ground-surface information than typical mapping products, particularly in complex terrain and riparian corridors.

How large is the LiDAR acquisition area?

The project centers on acquiring LiDAR data across 40,166 acres in the Indian Creek Watershed.

Where is the project located?

The work is located in the Indian Creek Watershed, which is a tributary to the Klamath River in the Klamath River basin, at approximately River Mile 108.

What is LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) in the context of this project?

In this project, LiDAR refers to a data collection method used to produce high-resolution elevation information. The resulting elevation products are used to create detailed digital elevation models (DEMs) for analysis and planning.

Why does the project emphasize high-resolution DEMs instead of typical mapping products?

The notice highlights that high-resolution DEMs can capture subtle elevation differences that are especially important in complex terrain and riparian corridors, where small changes in ground surface can influence water movement, habitat conditions, and restoration design.

How will the LiDAR-derived elevation data support fisheries work?

The elevation data is intended to support hydraulic analyses for fisheries projects, including evaluating channel geometry, floodplain connectivity, potential fish passage constraints, and how water moves through the system under different flow conditions.

What kinds of restoration planning decisions can the LiDAR data inform?

The dataset is meant to help practitioners identify and prioritize potential on-the-ground project locations by revealing landform features and subtle terrain patterns that can be hard to detect with coarser elevation data or standard aerial imagery.

How does the project relate to river restoration planning in the Klamath River basin?

The opportunity is focused on natural resources work in the Klamath River basin, and the LiDAR products are tied to fisheries and river restoration planning needs within the Indian Creek portion of the watershed.

Who else is expected to use the LiDAR products beyond fisheries-focused practitioners?

The notice states the LiDAR products will also be used by the Western Klamath Restoration Partnership, a collaborative group working to restore wildlife habitat and improve river health while supporting healthier fire regimes.

What is the Western Klamath Restoration Partnership expected to do with the LiDAR data?

According to the notice, LiDAR can help partners understand watershed and forest structure, locate areas prone to erosion or sediment delivery, map potential treatment areas, and improve planning across agencies and stakeholders by providing a shared, high-quality topographic baseline.

What administrative status does the notice indicate for this opportunity?

The notice is dated July 10, 2017, labeled as a notice of intent, and states the opportunity has already been awarded and that all required forms have been received.

What is listed for eligibility?

Eligibility is listed generally as "Others." The notice references additional eligibility details, but those details are not included in the provided text.

Does the provided information include application requirements or submission instructions?

No. The provided text indicates the award has already been made and does not include application steps, deadlines, or submission instructions.

Does the notice specify exact LiDAR deliverables or technical specifications?

Not in the provided text. The description focuses on acquiring LiDAR data and generating high-resolution DEMs, but it does not list file formats, accuracy standards, point density, or other technical specifications.

What is the practical benefit of having a shared topographic baseline for restoration partners?

The notice suggests that a shared, high-quality topographic baseline can improve planning and coordination across agencies and stakeholders by ensuring partners are working from the same detailed understanding of terrain and landscape features.