Application of Close-Range Photogrammetric Techniques
to Very Large Scale Aerial (VLSA) Photography
for Monitoring Aquatic and Riparian Habitats

Coalbed Methane (CBM) development, which is rapidly expanding in the Powder River Basin in Wyoming, produces large volumes of discharge water whose ecological effects are not yet known. An interagency working group has been formed to begin examining these impacts. For one project to monitor the effect of the increasing CBM outflow on the aquatic and riparian habitat of the Powder River, the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) acquired 22 mm resolution stereo, aerial imagery during June, July, and August, 2007 (representing varying flowrates) along 30 transects perpendicular to the river’s flow. This project’s aim is to combine the low cost, high resolution imagery from VLSA photography with close range photogrammetric technique to generate highly accurate, detailed orthophotos, digital terrain models, and stereo models to facilitate the monitoring goals of the work group. Initial results are showing great promise to rapidly produce sub decimeter-level georeferenced datasets to support a host of applications.