Toolik Lake

A geodetic GPS survey system, consisting of dual-frequency base station and roving receivers capable of centimeter-level accuracy, is available at Toolik Field Station to meet the surveying needs of researchers working in the vicinity of Toolik Lake on the north side of Alaska’s Brooks Range. Real-time kinematic (RTK) broadcasts provide real-time capability within a ~5km line-of-sight vicinity of Toolik, and centimeter-level accuracy can be realized over 100 kilometers away from the station by collecting and post-processing data.

This system consists of a Trimble NetR8 base receiver, a Trimble 5700 roving system, associated RTK radio equipment, and a base station computer for data management. Both survey grade and mapping/GIS grade equipment are supported. The bulk of the technical support, system maintenance, and interface with the science community is handled by the Toolik Field Station GIS staff. EarthScope is available to provide backup support and specific training.

Support

The primary technical support to DGPS system users is provided by Toolik Field Station GIS staff. This support includes training, field support, and data processing assistance. Users who intend to use the system for a significant amount of field surveying must contact Toolik GIS staff to coordinate their research needs.

Additional support is available from EarthScope as required, including training on GPS surveying and data processing prior to the field season, equipment loan to augment the equipment at Toolik, and field support for large or complex GPS projects. Remote assistance is also available. Upon project completion, GPS data and meta-data archival is available for permanent safeguarding.