Every Contour of the State, Mapped in Detail
U-Spatial provides direct access to Minnesota's statewide lidar and digital elevation model (DEM) data — the same foundational elevation datasets behind the state's MnTOPO elevation portal.
What This Data Shows
Minnesota completed its first statewide lidar collection between 2008 and 2012, and a second, higher-accuracy collection between 2021 and 2024 that replaced the older data with a seamless 0.5-meter DEM.
That level of detail supports work far beyond basic topographic maps: floodplain mapping, hydrologic modeling, forest canopy structure, watershed delineation, and infrastructure planning all depend on elevation data this precise.
Additional uses and/or benefits
Seamless Statewide Coverage
Both lidar generations were built as one continuous statewide dataset rather than a patchwork of separately processed tiles, so your study area doesn't need to fall neatly within a single county or collection boundary.
Built on Modern Accuracy Standards
The second-generation collection meets USGS Quality Level 1 (QL1) standards. A meaningful jump from the QL3-level data collected in 2008–2012, with vertical accuracy checked to within centimeters.
Multiple Derived Products
Beyond raw point clouds, the same lidar collection has been processed into digital elevation models, hillshades, and contours, so you're not always starting from scratch on a derivative you need.
Getting Access
Minnesota elevation data, including lidar and DEMs, is available directly to UMN students, faculty, and staff at no cost.
Connect to U-Spatial's shared network drive by following the University's guide to connecting to a shared drive or network folder.
Access the Drive through this pathway:
\\ad.umn.edu\umn\us\Administrative\
us_administrative\GIS\U-Spatial\UMN_Users\data
Navigate to the elevation data path and select the coverage area or product you need.
Need help? Contact the U-Spatial Help Desk for assistance.
Data Resources
Connect to a Shared Drive or Network Folder
University IT's guide for accessing the data path.
Open guide →Learn about the Minnesota Elevation Mapping Project
Read about the Minnesota Elevation Mapping Project on the official site.
View project →MN Geospatial Commons (Elevation Category)
Statewide lidar products, including the seamless DEM.
Access content →
What resolution is this elevation data?
This depends on how recent the data is.
As fine as 0.5 meters for the most recent (2021–2024) collection, which replaced the earlier 2008–2012 statewide lidar.
What can I use this data for?
A wide variety of uses.
Floodplain and hydrologic modeling, watershed analysis, forest structure assessment, infrastructure and transportation planning, and slope or viewshed analysis.
Is this the same data as MnTOPO?
Yes.
MnTOPO is the State's public web viewer for this same elevation data. U-Spatial's shared drive gives UMN researchers direct file access without the web viewer.
Does this cover the entire state?
Yes.
Both lidar generations were designed as seamless statewide datasets combining multiple acquisition partners.
What software works with this data?
ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS Online, QGIS, and LAStools.
ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS Online, and QGIS all support standard elevation formats. LAStools (also available through U-Spatial) can help with specialized lidar processing.
What It Costs
Free for the UMN Community
Minnesota elevation data is free for every UMN student, faculty, and staff member, accessed directly through U-Spatial's shared network drive — no separate license or request required.
Also Free for Everyone Else
Unlike U-Spatial's licensed software and imagery subscriptions, this elevation data comes from a public State of Minnesota program. Anyone — UMN-affiliated or not — can access the same underlying lidar and DEM data at no cost through MnTOPO or the MN Geospatial Commons. U-Spatial's shared drive is simply a more direct path for the UMN community.
Need to Access Minnesota's Elevation Data?
Connect to the shared drive and start working with statewide lidar and DEM data.