scope:

Purpose. This manual provides technical guidance for referencing project elevation grades to nationwide vertical datums established and maintained by the U.S. Department of Commerce. It supplements ER 1110-2-8160 (Policies for Referencing Project Elevation Grades to Nationwide Vertical Datums) that requires controlling elevations and local datums on USACE projects shall be properly and accurately referenced to nationwide spatial reference systems used by other Federal, state, and local agencies responsible for flood forecasting, inundation modeling, water control, flood insurance rate maps, navigation charting, and topographic mapping.

Applicability. This manual applies to all USACE commands having responsibility for the planning, engineering, design, construction, operation, maintenance, and regulation of flood risk management, coastal storm damage reduction, hurricane protection, multi-purpose water supply/control, hydropower, regulatory, ecosystem restoration, and navigation projects.