| client: | earthwhere | geospatial solutions group |
| content type: | case study |
| objective: | produce a case study detailing the application and success of earthwhere technology in the field |
Before the spring of 2004, the Schroeder Dam was a sleepy, remote reservoir hidden in the rugged canyon country of Nevada. When Spring melted an uncommonly lush snow pack the dam swelled to dangerous levels, threatening lives and property downstream.
Too much water? In Nevada? Unexpectedly, the dam's status was elevated to "High Risk". The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), a federal agency tasked with disaster mitigation, preparedness, and response and recovery planning, quickly called on dam safety inspector Dwayne Willard to assess the pending situation.
Dwayne was to fly within hours from Albuquerque to the Escalante and lead a four-wheel drive convoy to the nearly inaccessible site. Unfortunately the dam's location was so remote, no one knew exactly how to find it. Dwayne turned to John L. Peterson at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to help locate primary and secondary routes to the dam.
Time was of the essence, so John and Dwayne got down to business. Using EarthWhere™, they quickly searched through a myriad of disparate datasets to identify the dam's exact location. Retrieving crucial maps from the USGS database, they accessed Digital Ortho Quad Maps (DOQ) and clipped the data to topographical and digital line graphs and corresponding photography.
DISASTER AVERTED
Within one hour EarthWhere delivered the accurate data they needed. Dwayne made his plane, maps under arm, and headed out to the site. When he got there, it was clear the dam was going to breech - and soon. Dwayne quickly radioed for help. A Chinook helicopter with backhoe in tow was deployed from a nearby air field. Using the same EarthWhere maps, the helicopter navigated the rugged terrain and deposited the equipment. Dwayne used the backhoe to dig a strategically-placed trench at the top of the dam, releasing the pressure.
A potential disaster to homes and wildlife was averted thanks to the availability of fast, accurate data-data that made it simple for multiple agencies and users to access and share what they needed quickly and efficiently.
WORKING TOGETHER
"The implementation of EarthWhere and the hosting of data at the USGS Rocky Mountain Mapping Center (RMMC) gave agencies rapid access to critical existing datasets," said Dr. Clay Mathers, Geospatial Coordinator, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Albuquerque District. "EarthWhere provided a framework that allowed a diverse community to collaborate with standardized datasets and still meet the individual needs of each stakeholder." EarthWhere brought federal, state and private agencies together to save time in a critical situation. The USGS already had the necessary data-EarthWhere made it possible to leverage, collaborate, and quickly access it. Without the help of EarthWhere, locating and reaching the dam in time would have been impossible.
EARTH WHERE?
The data they needed was out there. Once they found it, how could they use it? To help the USGS address issues of data management and delivery, the Geospatial Solutions Group within SANZ recommended EarthWhere, a software application that combines cataloging, image processing and storage management into a data provisioning application. The system provides the ability to store data in native file formats, projections and datums and then provision specific datasets directly to the end user's desktop. EarthWhere improves the value of data by making it easy to locate, share, customize and use.
AN EFFECTIVE APPROACH TO DATA MANAGEMENT
In an emergency, you need to know where, and what's there. EarthWhere supports agencies with the data needed to help save valuable land, property and lives. To learn more about how an integrated approach to software, server and storage technologies can enhance data access and create collaborative environments to share information, visit www.earthwhere.com.