Compare Characteristics of Aerial Photography

  • Compare Characteristics of Aerial Photography

    Photo Source Time Period Coverage Black & White (B&W) Natural Color Color Infrared (CIR) Season Scale / Resolution
    FSA mid-1980s - present
    • 2025; 2023; 2021; 2019; 2017; 2015; 2013; 2010; 2009; 2008: statewide
    • 2006, 2005 and 2004: most of the state
    • 2003-04: statewide
    • pre2003: agricultural counties
    		 N Y Y (2025; 2023; 2021; 2019; 2017; 2015; 2013; 2008) leaf-on (summer)
    • 2025, 2021, 2019: 60cm resolution;
    • 2023: 30cm resolution;
    • 2017; 2015; 2013; 2010; 2009, 2008, 2003-04 & 2002 digital: 1-meter resolution;
    • 2006, 2005, 2004 & 2001 digital: 2-meter resolution;
    • 35mm slides: one square mile section
    SAIP 2009-2014 statewide in regional phases N Y Y leaf-off (spring) 0.5-meter resolution. Some buy-up areas are 1-foot.
    NAPP 1991 - 92 statewide Y N Y leaf-off (spring) 1:40,000
    1996 - 98 statewide Y N N leaf-on (summer) 1:40,000
    NHAP 1980 - 87 statewide Y N Y leaf-off B&W: 1:80,000
    CIR: 1:58,000
    USGS topo 1940s - early 1980s most of state Y N N leaf-off 1:24,000
    BRD since early 1990s Mississippi River, Twin Cities to Iowa N Y Y various various
    1995-96 Voyageurs National Park N N Y leaf-on (fall) 1:15,840
    APFO 1955 - present statewide Y some some various 1:6,000 - 1:80,000
    DNR about once every 8 years forested counties N Y Y leaf-on (fall) 1:15,840
    USGS/NGA 2012, 2008, 2006, 2004, 2002 Minneapolis - St. Paul (area covered varies) N Y N leaf-off (spring) 0.3-meter resolution (0.15-meter resolution for Ramsey Co. 2006)
    Metro Council

    2025, 2020, 2016, 2010

    		 7-county Twin Cities metro N Y Y leaf-off (spring) 1:20,000;
    0.3-meter (1-foot) resolution

    2000, 1997

    		 7-county Twin Cities metro Y N N leaf-off (spring) 1:40,000;
    0.6-meter resolution
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  • Match Uses to Scale

    Match uses of aerial photograph to the appropriate scale
    Uses Scale type Scale ranges Map scales
    Large area studies High altitude
    (small scale)    		 1:50,000 to 1:90,000 1"=3333' to 1"=7500' (1.4 miles)
    Delineations of land use, land cover, crops, soils, wetlands, etc. Medium altitude 1:10,000 up to 1:50,000 1"=833' to 1"=3333'
    Site planning Low altitude
    (large scale)    		 Up to 1:10,000 1"=883' to 1"=100' or less
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