Create a slope map using LAS files in ArcGIS Pro

Summary

A slope map is a type of topographic map that displays the steepness of the terrain, and it is generated from digital elevation models (DEMs). This map is used to represent the rate of elevation for DEM cells and provides a visual representation of the slope steepness, which is useful for analysis in various applications, such as land planning and erosion control. Browse this article for the workflow to create a slope map using LAS files in ArcGIS Pro.

Procedure

Note:
The Create LAS Dataset and Slope tools require a Spatial Analyst license or a 3D Analyst license.

1. Open the ArcGIS Pro project.
2. Create a LAS dataset using the Create LAS Dataset tool. Refer to ArcGIS Pro: Create a LAS dataset using the Create LAS Dataset geoprocessing tool for instructions.
3. Convert the LAS to raster dataset using the LAS Dataset To Raster tool.
1. On the Analysis ribbon tab, in the Geoprocessing group, click Tools.
2. In the Geoprocessing pane, search for and click LAS Dataset To Raster (Conversion Tools).
3. In the LAS Dataset To Raster pane, for Input LAS Dataset, select the LAS dataset layer from the drop-down list.
4. For Output Raster, specify a name and location for the output raster dataset.
5. Click Run.

4. Identify the steepness of the slope in each cell of the raster dataset using the Slope tool.
1. On the Analysis ribbon tab, in the Geoprocessing group, click Tools.
2. In the Geoprocessing pane, search for and click Slope (Spatial Analyst Tools).
3. In the Slope pane, for Input raster, select the output raster layer in Step 3 from the drop-down list.
4. Specify a name and loction for Output raster.
5. For Output measurement, select the desired measurement unit from the drop-down list. In this example, Percent rise is selected.
6. Click Run.

5. Classify the values of the raster dataset using the Symbology pane.
1. In the Contents pane, right-click the output raster layer in Step 4 and click Symbology.
2. In the Symbology pane, on the Primary symbology tab, select Classify.
3. For Classes, select the number of classes from the drop-down list.
4. For Method, select Manual Interval from the drop-down list.
5. For Color scheme, select the color range from the drop-down list.
6. On the Classes tab, for the Upper value field, double-click the records to specify the value of each class.

The slope map generated from the LAS files is shown below.