Acquiring DEM data from USGS Earth Explorer and import it to
ArcGIS
Lab Report (Lab 1)
Engineering Hydrology (CE-305)
Instructor:
Dr. Usman Ali Naeem
Submitted By:
Ameer Hamza Masood
23-CE-197
Date of Submission: 17-09-2025
Department of Civil Engineering
UNIVERSITY OF ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY, TAXILA
Acquiring DEM data from USGS Earth Explorer and import it to
ArcGIS
In the field of hydrological engineering, Digital Elevation Model (DEM) information is
extremely important when used within ArcGIS, and that is because DEM information offers
a three-dimensional earth's surface model that can be analyzed to gain insights into terrain-
driven hydrologic processes. DEMs find extensive use for watershed and catchment
delineation, enabling engineers to observe drainage divides, flow paths, and basin
boundaries with great accuracy. These data are used to derive flow direction and flow
accumulation from which stream networks are extracted necessary for analyzing river
systems, the positioning of gauging stations, and the design of hydraulic structures like
culverts and canals. DEM analysis is also used in flood hazard mapping where flood-prone
and low-lying areas are mapped and combined with rainfall-runoff models to simulate
inundation extent for disaster management planning and urban drainage design. Also, slope,
aspect, and flow length obtained from DEMs are essential inputs to hydrological models such
as HEC-HMS and SWAT and hence enhance the accuracy of predictions for runoff, infiltration,
and erosion. Data are also applied in the identification of reservoir and dam locations,
storage volume estimation, and the mapping of groundwater recharge zones to facilitate
sustainable management of water resources. In urban hydrology, DEM-based terrain
analysis assists in simulating waterlogging areas and runoff paths and facilitates effective
stormwater drainage and sewer network design. In general, DEM data within ArcGIS
provides a complete and economical method for analyzing and managing water resources,
rendering it an essential tool for practical engineering applications and sophisticated
hydrological research.
Acquiring DEM data from USGS Earth Explorer
We can use USGS Earth Explorer (Open-Source) to obtain DEM data for Watershed and
Catchment Delineation. Here are the steps to doing so:
1. Create an account on USGS Earth Explorer Website and you will be shown the
following interface:
2. Now we will have to create a polygon over our area of interest by marking
coordinates.
3. Now go to the Datasets tab and select Digital Elevation and then SRTM and in it
SRTM Arc-Second Global.
4. Now Go to results tab and select all the Datasets that cover our area of interest by
checking their footprints and then download them.
5. Now we will open ArcGIS and Add the DEM Data to work with [Link] this, we would
click on the Add Data icon and connect to the Datasets folder and select them.
6. Now all these DEM files will be added to your Data Frame.
7. Now we turn these 4 individual tif files into a single one, so we can work with it easily.
For this we will open Arc Toolbox and then Data Management Tools.
Data Management Tools > Raster > Raster Dataset > Mosaic to New Raster.
8. A new window will pop up and ask you to input the raster and specify the location
for the new raster. Fill all the required fields and click OK. Now you will see a new
Layer in your Layers Panel.
Now we can easily work with this new file and can delineate the watershed.