This paper states the importance of LiDAR as the cartographic source
to extract well known geometric parameters relevant in levee design
and maintenance and an assessment of the levee not only in terms of
its elevation, but of its shape and size. We present a new approach to
assess the geometry of the levees using LiDAR data to characterize and
assess their integrity. LiDAR is used in flood hazard assessment to provide
a fast and automatic evaluation of the geometric condition of the
levees once the parameter definition and the threshold are defined.
An initial index of the stability condition of the levees was inferred
and the tracks with a higher risk of failure where maintenance operation
should be a priority, identified. Thus, LiDAR can provide an initial
automated assessment of the stability condition to support specific geotechnical
explorations, which requires extensive fieldwork, including
drilling and geophysical methods, along with associated laboratory
testing and modeling procedures, such as seepage modeling, hydraulic
modeling, slope stability, or fragility analysis (URS Corporation, J. R.
Benjamin & Associates, 2009). Such methods could be applied once a
potential hazard has been identified, thus providing more efficient use
of management resources.