Practice Test Geeks(CFS) Certified Floodplain Surveyor Practice Test
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Technology & Digital Tools Flashcards

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  1. Which file format is the standard for exchanging LiDAR point cloud data used in floodplain elevation mapping?

    Answer: LAS/LAZ

    LAS (and its compressed variant LAZ) is the industry-standard binary format for storing airborne LiDAR point cloud data.

  2. In GIS-based floodplain analysis, a Digital Elevation Model (DEM) derived from LiDAR typically has a horizontal resolution of:

    Answer: 1–3 meters

    Modern LiDAR-derived DEMs for floodplain mapping commonly achieve 1–3 meter horizontal resolution, far superior to older 30-meter SRTM data.

  3. What does the acronym GNSS stand for in the context of field surveying for floodplain studies?

    Answer: Global Navigation Satellite System

    GNSS encompasses all satellite constellations (GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou) used for positioning, making it the broad term surveyors use.

  4. A surveyor uses Real-Time Kinematic (RTK) GNSS for establishing benchmark elevations in a floodplain survey. The primary advantage of RTK over static post-processing is:

    Answer: Centimeter-level accuracy delivered in real time

    RTK GNSS uses a base station broadcasting corrections to achieve centimeter-level positional accuracy instantly in the field.

  5. When using FEMA's Map Service Center (MSC) online, a floodplain surveyor can primarily retrieve:

    Answer: Official FIRM panels and FIS reports

    FEMA's MSC is the official portal for accessing current Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) panels and Flood Insurance Study (FIS) reports.

  6. In HEC-RAS 2D hydraulic modeling, what grid cell size consideration is most critical when modeling an urban floodplain with narrow conveyance channels?

    Answer: Cell size must be small enough to resolve channel geometry

    In 2D HEC-RAS, the computational mesh must be fine enough to capture channel cross-section geometry; overly coarse cells miss critical conveyance pathways.

  7. Which FEMA tool allows communities to view and comment on preliminary FIRM data before they become effective?

    Answer: FEMA Mapping Information Platform (MIP)

    The FEMA Mapping Information Platform (MIP) is the project management and data submission portal where communities review preliminary flood maps.