LiDAR-Based Hydrologic Screening Tool for Stream Access in Utah

Course: GEOG 6700 / Capstone This capstone project designed a GIS-based screening tool using LiDAR-derived DEMs to identify potential stream access points across Utah. The tool supports land managers and recreation planners by automating the detection of topographically feasible access corridors along stream networks. Methods: LiDAR processing, DEM derivation, hydrologic flow analysis, slope and accessibility modeling, Python scripting for automation, ArcGIS Pro / ArcPy. Key Findings: The tool successfully identified hundreds of candidate access points across test watersheds. Automated outputs reduced manual screening time significantly. Results were validated against known access points.