The URS Corporation was contracted by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to produce work maps to update the 100 and 500-year floodplains. The areas were located in and around the watersheds of the Susquehanna, Delaware and Mohawk Rivers located in New York, New Jersey and portions of Pennsylvania. Rogers Surveying was selected to perform hydrographic and upland surveying for a portion of the Susquehanna River.

The Rogers, surveying crews were provided with a plan view and a vicinity map of each study area over a thirty-seven (37) mile stretch of the Susquehanna River. URS selected and identified the cross-sections and levee locations on a map. These locations were than translated into geo referenced digital ortho photos by Rogers, coordinates of the section line ends were up-loaded into hand held GPS receivers. These lines were than navigated to down the river using shallow draft Jon boats. Once at the location, RTK GPS was used to set a pair of points (sometimes in the middle of the somewhat shallow river). With the heavy tree canopy on the river banks robotic total stations were used to collect a majority of data. All cross sections were photographed and sketches prepared.  URS verified the tabulated survey data, cross-section sketches and photos.

The final report included a survey plan, identification of primary controls, elevations, descriptions of ERMs and benchmarks used or established. All surveying was performed to FEMA’s Guidelines and Specifications for Flood Mapping Partners.