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Viewshed Analysis Along the Appalachian Trail
CLIENT: Maine Land Use Regulation Commission
SOFTWARE: ArcView GIS, Spatial Analysis

BACKGROUND: The Maine Land Use Regulation Commission (LURC) acts as a planning board for approximately 470 unorganized townships in Maine. This work includes identifying and zoning locations that are suitable for future growth. One area receiving particular attention in recent years is Rangeley Lakes Region of Maine. LURC needed to determine which locations in Rangeley Lakes were visible from popular scenic vistas along the Appalachian Trail.

Viewshed for Saddleback Mountain   Viewshed for Old Blue Mountain
SOLUTION: Northern Geomantics began this analysis by developing a series of highly accurate digital elevation models (DEM). These models were created from 1:24,000 scale digital USGS contour data after coding and edgematching problems were corrected. The DEMs were enhanced by adding streams, rivers, and lakes to enforce flow direction and create a more detailed elevation model. After the models were created, a series of viewsheds were produced depicting various scenarios for tree height and other factors.

The above maps show the results of analyses around Saddleback (left) and Old Blue (right) mountains. On the maps, green areas are visible from the location cited (shown in yellow), while gray areas are obstructed from view. The Appalachian Trail is shown in red.

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