Getting Orthophotos and Aerial Imagery

Getting Orthophoto Imagery

• Depending upon your needs, you may be able to capture suitable orthophoto images from the screen while viewing PimaMaps.  Using PimaMaps, click the "Export" tool on the "Printing and Sharing" tab.  You'll have the option to include georeferencing information.   See Optimizing Orthophotos, Imagery and Map Details to optimize your screen captures using PimaMaps.
• Individual Pictometry Orthophoto Tile photos can be downloaded in .JPG format.  Scroll down to see the "Pictometry Orthophoto Tile Photos" section and  instructions on the Pictometry Aerial Photos page.
• The Pima Association of Governments (PAG) and a number of local government jurisdictions participate in the Regional Orthophoto Projects. The project has produced high quality digital orthophotos and data covering various areas of eastern Pima County. To order these images see PAG Image and Data Ordering.
• Other sources for orthophoto imagery include:
  • ARIA - Arizona Regional Image Archive
  • AGIC - Arizona Geographic Information Council
  • ALRIS - Arizona Land Resource Information System
  • EROS - Earth Resources Observation and Science Center
  • SCO - Arizona State Cartographer's Office - Arizona Imagery Server
  • USGS - United States Geological Survey

Getting Other Aerial Photos (not orthophotos)

This "other aerial photos" category includes older technology aerial photos that can’t easily be displayed on interactive maps, some going back as far as 1936 and possibly earlier.  Some of these have been scanned and are published on Pima County departmental websites.  For some photos, you can view them downtown, but we don’t have the rights to publish them on the Internet.  Many others are in the form of half-tone images on Mylar that are easy for the eye to see, but don’t scan well enough to make into files.  These "other aerial photos" vary considerably in terms of years, areas covered, quality, and resolution.

The Pima County DOT Maps and Records section maintains a library of historical paper and Mylar imagery. Hard copies are available for a nominal reproduction cost. While you can't see these photos on the web, you can use the Aerial Photo Lookup page to identify available photos that might meet your needs. If you find photos of interest, you can contact the DOT Maps and Records counter at 520-724-6332 to request copies and ordering details. You can also call them to determine what might be available. You may want to visit the DOT Maps and Records counter located at 201 N. Stone Av., 5th floor during business hours to review available photos.

The Pima County Regional Flood Control District has historical aerial photos related to their work. They include photos on their Historical Aerial Photos page and others that are not available online. You may be able to see these at their customer service counter. See their web site for contact information.

Aerial imagery firms such as Landiscor and Cooper Aerial Surveys are additional sources you may want to check.