Post-Katrina Land-Cover, Elevation, and Volume Change Assessment along the South Shore of Lake Pontchartrain, Louisiana, U.S.A.

Abstract

Abstract Advances in remote-sensing technology have led to its increased use for posthurricane disaster response and assessment; however, the use of the technology is underutilized in the recovery phase of the disaster management cycle. This study illustrates an example of a postdisaster recovery assessment by detecting coastal land cover, elevation, and volume changes using 3 years of post-Katrina hyperspectral and light detection and ranging data collected along the south shore of Lake Pontchartrain, Louisiana. Digital elevation models and basic land-cover classifications were generated for a 34-km2 study area for 2005, 2006, and 2007. A change detection method was used to assess postdisaster land-cover, elevation, and volume changes. Results showed that the vegetation classes had area increases, whereas bare ground/roads and structures classes had area decreases. Overall estimated volume changes included a net volume decrease of 1.6 × 106 m3 in 2005 to 2006 and a net volume decrease of 2.1 × 106 m3 in ...