Unmanned Aerial Systems Applications in the San Simon Watershed
In October 2012, the BLM National Operations Center, BLM Safford Field Office, the University of Arizona, and the Gila Watershed Partnership collaborated to explore the use of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) to monitor watershed erosion control structures, vegetation condition, and recreation site boundary fencing within the San Simon Valley watershed in Arizona. The RQ-11a Raven was flown to collect images using high-resolution imaging cameras and high-definition video technology. By using a UAS to capture images from the air, land management specialists can efficiently identify