LibGuides: Geospatial Data: Digital Elevation Models, LiDAR, and Contour Data

What are DEM, TIN, and LiDAR datasets?

A digital elevation model (DEM) is a digital or 3D representation of a surface, created from elevation data. Digital elevation models can be used in GIS software, such as ArcGIS. A digital terrain model (DTM) is similar, but is usually a bare earth DEM where features such as trees and buildings have been removed.

Ontario and Toronto

Contemporary Datasets

City of Toronto Triangular Irregular Network (TIN)
Triangular Irregular Network (TIN) polygon elevation data produced by the City of Toronto. This TIN was derived from a 2015 LiDAR-derived 2.5 metre resolution bare-earth elevation source data.
City of Toronto Generalized Digital Terrain Model
City of Toronto Survey and Mapping Services. Order via our GAIA request system.
Digital Elevation Models (Scholars Geoportal)
Available for research and educational purposes to members of the York University community. To access, click on the title above OR go to Scholars Geoportal, login using your YorkU credentials, and use the data search term "DEM".
Digital Terrain Models (Scholars Geoportal)
Available for research and educational purposes to members of the York University community. To access, click on the title above OR go to Scholars Geoportal, login using your YorkU credentials, and use the data search term "DTM".
LiDAR Data of the City of Toronto
LiDAR data set produced by Airborne Imaging covering the City of Toronto is derived from the Airborne Imaging LiDAR Greater Toronto Area data library. The data was captured in Spring 2014/2015 and is distributed in ¼ km square tiles. The LiDAR data products available in this data set are: [1] Point Cloud LIDAR Data: LAS Format; [2] Digital Terrain Model (1 metre Grids) of Bare Earth and Full Feature: XYZ ASCII Format; [3] Hillside Images, Bare Earth and Full Feature: GeoTIFF Format; [4] 50 cm Contours, Bare Earth: Shapefile format. The data are distributed with basic metadata, detailed metadata, and reports. To order the LiDAR data consult the Index map, submit a data request via GAIA, and specify which tiles and products you need.
Contours (Toronto and Region Conservation Authority)
The Toronto and Region Conservation Authority geospatial data has produced 10 metre, 5 metre, and 1 metre contour data in shapefile format. Access: Available for research and educational purposes to members of the York University community. To access, go to Scholars Geoportal and use the data search term "TRCA".
Contour Data (Scholars Geoportal)
Available for research and educational purposes to members of the York University community. To access, click on the title above OR go to Scholars Geoportal, login using your YorkU credentials, and use the data search term "Contours".
Ontario Digital Terrain Model (LiDAR derived)
The Ontario Digital Terrain Model (Lidar-Derived) is a raster dataset representing the bare-earth terrain derived from a classified lidar point cloud.The DTM data is available in the form of 1-km by 1-km non-overlapping tiles grouped into packages for download. Data is in shapefile format.
Ontario Digital Elevation Model (Imagery Derived)
The Ontario Digital Elevation Model (Imagery-Derived) is a 2-m raster elevation product. Data coverage is of Northeastern Ontario, Eastern Ontario, Central Ontario, and Southwestern Ontario. It excludes the Greater Toronto Area and most of Northern Ontario.

Legacy Datasets

Downtown Toronto: Building outlines with heights, clutter data, DEM, contours and places
Year: 2009. Producer: RMSI Ltd. For more details consult the metadata description.
Access: Available for research and educational purposes, only for the York University Community. Please request the data via our GAIA request system.
North York (Yonge Street) building outlines with heights, clutter data (landuse), DEM, contours and places.
August 2009. RMSI Ltd. Access: Available for research and educational purposes, only for the York University Community. Please request the data via our GAIA request system.
Toronto 1 metre Contours, 2002
University of Toronto Map and Data Library.
York University building outlines with heights and clutter (land use) data
April 2010. RMSI Ltd. Access: Available for research and educational purposes, only for the York University Community. Please request the data via our GAIA request system.

DEMs & Contours - Canada

Canada3D
Canada 3D is a digital elevation model that was produced in 2001 by the Canadian Forestry Service. It a generalized elevation model which is adequate for elevation visualization of the entire landmass of Canada.
Canadian Digital Elevation Model, 1945-2011
The Canadian Digital Elevation Model is a legacy digital elevation model that ceased to be produced in 2011. It is being replaced by the HIgh Resolution Digital Elevation Model.
High Resolution Digital Elevation Model (HRDEM) - CanElevation Series
The High Resolution Digital Elevation Model (HRDEM) product is derived from airborne LiDAR data (mainly in the south) and satellite images in the north. If coverage isn't available for your area of interest, use the Canadian Digital Elevation Model product instead.

DEMs & Contours - World

Global Multi-resolution Terrain Elevation Data 2010 (GMTED2010)
Global Multi-resolution Terrain Elevation Data 2010 (GMTED2010) is a global wide digital elevation model. The GMTED2010 product suite contains seven raster elevation products for each of the 30-, 15-, and 7.5-arc-second spatial resolutions and incorporates the current best available global elevation data. EarthExporer can be used to search, preview, and download Global 30 Arc-Second Elevation (GTOPO30). The collection are located under the Digital Elevation category. An alternative is to download the data via this GMTED Viewer.
GTOPO30. Global digital elevation model
GTOPO30 is a global digital elevation model (DEM) with a horizontal grid spacing of 30 arc seconds (approximately 1 kilometer). GTOPO30 was derived from several raster and vector sources of topographic information. EarthExporer can be used to search, preview, and download Global 30 Arc-Second Elevation (GTOPO30). The collection are located under the Digital Elevation category.
National Elevation Dataset. Elevation data of the United States.
USGS.
Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) 1 Arc-Second - Via Earth Explorer
The Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) 1 Arc-Second (30 metre resolution) digital elevation model is the highest resolution available for Costa Rica. Earth Explorer can be used to search, preview, and download SRTM Global data. The SRTM collections are located under the Digital Elevation category.