Building a Cabin on a Lake

RA556 Spatial Data MethologyFinal Project

Allison Willett, Meredie Sexton &Erik Johnson

Overview

• Project story line• Test parameters• Test procedures• Data and results• Conclusion

Project Description

• We are hired to survey a parcel to help determine the best location for a cabin

• We will go to the client’s land and collect elevation data using the total station

• We will enter the data into ArcMap• We will analyze the data• We will produced beautiful maps• The client will be able to build a cabin in the

perfect spot

Lebanon Hills Regional ParkDakota County, Eagan, MN

Beautiful lakeshore parcel.

Project Parameters

• Elevation (40ft above lake)• Slope (less than 20)• Aspect (NW, W or SW)• Distance from lake (greater than 200ft)• Distance from road (at least 50ft away)

Procedures• Locate high point and set up Total Station• Take 60+ measurements between highest point (top of

hill) and lowest point (lake shore)• Use ArcGIS to create point shape file of Total Station

measurements• Interpolate elevation raster• Create slope and aspect rasters based on elevation raster• Create buffers around lake and road• Use suitability analysis to locate best quality location for

cabin

Setting up the total station.

Results

Elevation

Contours

10 meter contour intervals

Slope

Aspect

Lake and Road Buffers

Conclusions

Conclusions

• We were able to identify an ideal location that met all the parameters set by the client.

• We learned about one way surveying might be used in the real world.

• We have the confidence and new insight to make an educated analysis of any parcel we might plan to buy or build on.

Further Steps

• More data points• Include GPS readings of lake and total station

locations• Analyze lake quality, especially in relation to

possible recreational uses

THANKS!