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1:1,000,000-Scale Waterbodies and Wetlands of the United States, 2014

Identification Information

Citation
Title
1:1,000,000-Scale Waterbodies and Wetlands of the United States, 2014
Originator
Geological Survey (U.S.)
Publisher
Geological Survey (U.S.)
Place of Publication
Rolla , MO , US
Publication Date
2014-03-01
Identifier
http://purl.stanford.edu/sv709xw7113
Geospatial Data Presentation Form
mapDigital
Collection Title
National Atlas of the United States of America, 1997-2014
Abstract
This polygon shapefile represents waterbodies and wetlands of the United States, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The map layer was produced primarily from the Medium-Resolution and High-Resolution National Hydrography Dataset NHDWaterbody feature classes, through feature selection and cartographic generalization based on reference to published small-scale ancillary data sets. This is a revised version of the July 2012 map layer. This layer is part of the 1997-2014 edition of the National Atlas of the United States.
Purpose
These data are intended for geographic display and analysis at the national level, and for large regional areas. The data should be displayed and analyzed at scales appropriate for 1:1,000,000-scale data. No responsibility is assumed by the National Atlas of the United States in the use of these data.
Scale Denominator
1000000
Temporal Extent
Currentness Reference
Publication date
Time Instant
2014-03-01T00:00:00
Bounding Box
West
-167.702841
East
-65.602571
North
71.322163
South
17.93083
ISO Topic Category
inlandWaters
Place Keyword
United States
Alaska
Alabama
Arizona
Arkansas
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York (State)
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington (D.C.)
Washington (State)
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming
Puerto Rico
United States Virgin Islands
Place Keyword Thesaurus
Theme Keyword
Hydrography
Drainage
Hydrology
Wetlands
Bodies of water
Theme Keyword Thesaurus
Legal Constraints
Use Limitation
Although these data have been processed successfully on a computer system at the U.S. Geological Survey, no warranty expressed or implied is made by the U.S. Geological Survey regarding the utility of the data on any other system, nor shall the act of distribution constitute any such warranty. No responsibility is assumed by the U.S. Geological Survey in the use of these data.
Status
completed
Maintenance and Update Frequency
irregular
Collection
Collection Title
National Atlas of the United States of America, 1997-2014
URL
http://purl.stanford.edu/cv275yx9215
Language
eng
Credit
U.S. Geological Survey. (2014). 1:1,000,000-Scale Waterbodies and Wetlands of the United States, 2014. USGS. Available at: http://purl.stanford.edu/sv709xw7113.
Point of Contact
Contact
National Atlas of the United States
Delivery Point
U.S. Geological Survey
City
Reston
Administrative Area
VA
Postal Code
20192
Email
atlasmail@usgs.gov
Phone
1-888-ASK-USGS (1-888-275-8747)

Spatial Reference Information

Reference System Identifier
Code
4269
Code Space
EPSG
Version
8.6.2

Data Quality Information

Quantitative Attribute Accuracy Report
Absolute External Positional Accuracy
Lineage
Process Step
Description
Calculation of Feature Types The Feature attribute describes the type of waterbody or wetland. The set of feature types comes from the National Atlas Waterbodies 1:2M map layer. The Feature attribute value for each waterbody or wetland was calculated based on the NHD Fcode, using the following crosswalk: Lake: NHD FCode is 39000, 39004, 39009, 39010, 39011, or 39012. Lake Dry: NHD FCode is 36100. Lake Intermittent: NHD FCode is 39001, 39005, or 39006. Reservoir: NHD FCode starts with 436. Swamp or Marsh: NHD FCode is 46600. Glacier: NHD FCode is 37800. Stream: NHD FCode is 46006 (perennial), 46003 (intermittent), or 46000 (no info). Canal: Added manually
Process Date
2007-01-01T00:00:00
Process Step
Description
Cartographic Generalization - Phase 1 All waterbodies and wetlands selected in the feature-selection process were exported as a new feature class, then simplified using the Bend Simplify algorithm with a tolerance of 500 meters. The feature class was further simplified using the Douglas-Peucker algorithm with a 1-meter tolerance to remove extraneous vertices. The new, simplified and generalized data set was checked for multipart features, overlaps, and gaps. Topology errors were corrected.
Process Date
2007-01-01T00:00:00
Process Step
Description
Feature Selection The Medium-Resolution NHDWaterbody data served as the primary source data for waterbodies in the 48 conterminous States and Hawaii. The High-Resolution NHDWaterbody data served as the primary source data for waterbodies in Alaska, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Waterbodies and wetlands with an area greater than 1.0 square kilometer were selected from the NHDWaterbody data. Waterbodies and wetlands between 0.5625 square kilometers and 1 square kilometer were selected from the NHDWaterbody data if there was a corresponding waterbody or wetland included in the National Atlas Waterbodies 1:2M map layer.
Process Date
2007-01-01T00:00:00
Process Step
Description
Calculation of F_Code The F_code is a numeric code indicating the type of water feature described by the feature label. The set of F_codes comes from the National Atlas Waterbodies 1:2M map layer. The following crosswalk was used to create F_codes from the Feature values. F_code Feature value ============================= 1 Lake 2 Reservoir 4 Stream 5 Canal 7 Glacier 10 Lake Dry 11 Lake Intermittent 26 Swamp or Marsh
Process Date
2007-01-01T00:00:00
Process Step
Description
Elimination of Small Islands and Gaps Within and Between Waterbodies The 1 square kilometer size threshold for waterbodies and wetlands eliminated many small waterbodies that were completely surrounded by larger waterbodies (usually a lake within a wetland). This left holes in the waterbodies or wetlands. There were also gaps between waterbodies and islands within waterbodies, some of which were too small for the scale of the map layer. Polygons were created for the small holes and gaps and merged with the surrounding waterbodies or wetlands.
Process Date
2009-01-01T00:00:00
Process Step
Description
Integration of Waterbodies and Wetlands with 1:1M Streams During the generalization process, waterbodies sometimes became misaligned with the streams that flow through them. The streams and waterbody limits were corrected so that the streams flow through the waterbodies. The waterbody types included in the alignment process were lake, lake dry, lake intermittent, reservoir, and stream. No realignment was done for swamp or marsh.
Process Date
2009-01-01T00:00:00
Process Step
Description
Integration of Waterbodies and Wetlands with 1:1M Coastlines Waterbodies and wetlands were clipped or extended to the 1:1M Coastline. Aerial imagery, land cover, NHDPlus Waterbody, NHDPlus Area, High-Resolution NHDWaterbody and NHDArea, and topographic maps were used to determine where the limits of waterbodies and wetlands should coincide with the coastline. Swamp or Marsh waterbodies were created for islands that were predominantly wetlands. To ensure alignment of waterbodies and coastlines, the data were checked for topological consistency using ArcGIS.
Process Date
2009-01-01T00:00:00
Process Step
Description
Addition of River Polygons Polygons representing major rivers were added from the National Atlas Waterbodies 1:2M dataset and aligned with imagery and existing 1:1,000,000-scale (1:1M) waterbodies and wetlands.
Process Date
2009-01-01T00:00:00
Process Step
Description
Cartographic Review - Phase 1 Cartographers reviewed waterbodies and wetlands by comparing them to existing data sets, imagery, and maps. The name, location, extent, and feature type were examined and recommendations for deletions, modifications, and additions were incorporated.
Process Date
2010-01-01T00:00:00
Process Step
Description
Addition of the Great Lakes A Great Lakes polygon was created with the 1:1M coastline as the southern limit and the 1:1M national boundary between the United States and Canada as the northern limit. The resulting polygon was then divided into Lake Superior, Lake Michigan, Lake Huron, Lake Erie, Lake Ontario and smaller adjacent lakes, bays, and rivers.
Process Date
2010-01-01T00:00:00
Process Step
Description
Cartographic Generalization - Phase 2 A second phase of generalization was needed to address the width of waterbodies and the distance between waterbodies. It was determined that a minimum waterbody width of 500 meters was appropriate for this scale. Sections of a waterbody that were as narrow as 300 meters were acceptable if they connected wider areas or if they were the tapered end of a waterbody. The Buffer tool was used with a series of negative and positive buffer distances to create two sets of interior polygons for the waterbodies, one set representing the parts of the waterbodies that were at least 300 meters wide, and another set representing the parts of the waterbodies that were at least 500 meters wide. The waterbodies were then edited manually using the interior polygons as guidelines and using imagery, land cover, High-Resolution NHDWaterbody, High-Resolution NHDArea, NHDPlus NHDWaterbody, NHDPlus NHDArea, and topographic maps to support decisions. Some features were eliminated based on width. Other features were trimmed, widened, or merged with neighboring features. The minimum acceptable distance between waterbodies was 300 meters.  A set of exterior buffers 150 meters wide was created from the waterbodies.  If the exterior buffer of one feature overlapped that of another, the two features were separated or merged, or they were modified so that they shared a common limit. Imagery, land cover, High-Resolution NHDWaterbody, High-Resolution NHDArea, NHDPlus Waterbody, NHDPlus Area, and topographical maps were used to support decisions.
Process Date
2010-01-01T00:00:00
Process Step
Description
Integration of Waterbodies and Wetlands with 1:1M Transportation Features Waterbody and wetland limits that were parallel to transportation features in the National Atlas 1:1M Roads and Railroads were moved away from the transportation features to ensure that there was a 300 meter gap between the two types of features.
Process Date
2011-01-01T00:00:00
Process Step
Description
Cartographic Review - Phase 2 National Atlas 1:1M map layers were reviewed together to check for features that needed to be added, deleted, or modified, and to determine if the distances between features were appropriate for the product scale.
Process Date
2011-01-01T00:00:00
Process Step
Description
Integration of Waterbodies and Wetlands with 1:1M National Boundaries Waterbodies and wetlands were clipped or extended to 1:1M National Boundaries. To ensure alignment, the data were checked for topological consistency using ArcGIS.
Process Date
2011-01-01T00:00:00
Process Step
Description
Integration of Waterbodies and Wetlands with 1:1M Counties Waterbodies and wetlands that have limit on a county line were aligned with the county line so that the two are coincident.
Process Date
2011-01-01T00:00:00
Process Step
Description
Calculation of Name For the 48 conterminous states and Hawaii, the name of the waterbody or wetland generally comes from the GNIS_Name attribute in NHDPlus Waterbody. For Alaska, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, the name of the waterbody or wetland generally comes from the GNIS_Name attribute in High-Resolution NHDWaterbody. Some waterbodies and wetlands without names were identified manually if they intersected a waterbody in the National Atlas Waterbodies 1:2M file. Additional waterbody and wetland names were selected manually based on waterbody names on other small-, medium-, and large-scale maps. If two named waterbodies or wetlands were merged, the name value was changed to null (blank).
Process Date
2012-01-01T00:00:00
Process Step
Description
Calculation of Region The two-digit Hydrologic Unit Code was calculated from the four-digit NHDWaterbody Subregion code. Waterbodies and wetlands were also checked against National Atlas Hydrologic Units 1:2M. In cases where a waterbody or wetland was in two regions, the code for the region containing the majority of the waterbody or wetland was used.
Process Date
2012-01-01T00:00:00
Process Step
Description
Calculation of State Abbreviation and FIPS codes The waterbodies and wetlands were intersected with the National Atlas States 1:1M map layer to transfer the State abbreviations and FIPS codes. The intersected layer was analyzed to determine which waterbodies or wetlands were located in multiple States. For features crossing State boundaries, the State abbreviations and FIPS codes were concatenated with a hyphen to include information from multiple States.
Process Date
2012-01-01T00:00:00
Process Step
Description
Calculation of WaterbdyID The WaterbdyID is the unique identifier for the feature in the 1:1M map layer. The starting number is 1,000,001.
Process Date
2012-01-01T00:00:00
Process Step
Description
Harmonization of United States Waterbodies with Canadian 1:1M Waterbodies Along the United States-Canada Border Waterbodies that intersect or follow the United States-Canada border were aligned with Canadian waterbodies at the border in order to facilitate seamless cross-border mapping. This was a back-and-forth process in which each country reviewed the other's border waterbodies, made adjustments to their own waterbodies, proposed changes for waterbodies in the other country, and acted on proposals for changes in their own country. Types of modifications included reshaping waterbodies near the border, adding waterbodies if the corresponding waterbody exists in the other data set, and deleting waterbodies if no corresponding waterbody exists in the other data set. Glaciers and wetlands are not part of the Canadian waterbodies dataset so they were not included in this process.
Process Date
2012-01-01T00:00:00
Process Step
Description
Calculation of Perimeter and Area The data were converted to a North America Albers Equal Area Conic projection. Perimeter in miles and area in square miles were calculated, then the data were converted back to geographic coordinates.
Process Date
2012-01-01T00:00:00
Process Step
Description
Calculation of Global Map Attributes The attributes GM_f_code, GM_hyc, GM_hyt, GM_nam, and GM_soc are attributes for Global Map. They facilitate the use of National Atlas 1:1M data with other nations' Global Map data. GM_f_code, GM_hyc, and GM_hyt were calculated based on the Feature attribute. GM_nam was calculated from the Name attribute. GM_soc is the abbreviation for the United States listed in the Global Map Specifications Version 2.1.
Process Date
2012-01-01T00:00:00
Process Step
Description
Integration of Waterbodies with Version 2 of the 1:1M National Boundaries, Counties, Roads, Railroads, and Streams Version 2 of the transportation, boundaries, and streams 1:1M National Atlas data sets contain minor adjustments along the Canada-U.S. border and in other places where the data were improved or corrected. Waterbodies and wetlands were modified to remain aligned with these map layers. Topology and attributes were verified or recalculated for modified waterbodies and wetlands. Imagery and topographic maps were used for guidance.
Process Date
2013-01-01T00:00:00
Process Step
Description
Update of WaterbdyID The WaterbdyID is the unique identifier for the features. The starting number is 1,000,001. It was initially calculated in 2012 for the release of Version 1 waterbodies and wetlands. New waterbodies and wetlands as well as waterbodies and wetlands that were split into multiple features were given new WaterbdyIDs. All other waterbodies and wetlands retain their original WaterbdyID.
Process Date
2014-01-01T00:00:00
Source
Title
1:1,000,000-Scale National Boundaries of the United States
Publication Date
2014-03-01
Originator
National Atlas of the United States
Description
Spatial information. The national boundary was used to delimit waterbodies and wetlands that intersect the borders of Canada and Mexico.
Source
Title
1:1,000,000-Scale Streams of the United States
Publication Date
2014-03-01
Originator
National Atlas of the United States
Description
Spatial and attribute information.
Source
Title
1:1,000,000-Scale Streams of the United States
Publication Date
2012-08-01
Originator
National Atlas of the United States
Description
Spatial information. Used as a guide to determine the location and extent of waterbody and wetland limits during manual generalization processes.
Source
Title
National Land Cover Database 2001
Publication Date
2004-01-01
Originator
Multi-Resolution Land Characteristics Consortium
Description
Spatial and attribute information.
Source
Title
ESRI USA Topo Maps Map Service
Publication Date
2009-01-01
Originator
Environmental Systems Research Institute - ESRI
Description
Spatial and attribute information.
Source
Title
Streams and Waterbodies of the United States
Publication Date
2005-12-01
Originator
National Atlas of the United States
Publisher
National Atlas of the United States
Description
Spatial and attribute information. Used to identify additional features to include in the map layer.
Source
Title
1:1,000,000-Scale National Boundaries of the United States
Publication Date
2012-07-01
Originator
National Atlas of the United States
Description
Spatial information. The national boundary was used to delimit waterbodies and wetlands that intersect the borders of Canada and Mexico.
Source
Title
Atlas of Canada National Scale Data 1:1,000,000 - Waterbodies
Publication Date
2013-11-08
Originator
Government of Canada; Natural Resources Canada; Earth Sciences Sector; Canada Centre for Mapping and Earth Observation
Description
Spatial and attribute information. Waterbodies were aligned with Canadian waterbodies.
Source
Title
National Forest Maps
Originator
U.S. Forest Service
Description
Spatial and attribute information.
Source
Title
Alaska State Base Map
Originator
U.S. Geological Survey
Description
Spatial and attribute information.
Source
Title
1:63,360-Scale Topographic Map Series
Originator
U.S. Geological Survey
Description
Spatial and attribute information.
Source
Title
1:1,000,000-Scale State Boundaries of the United States
Publication Date
2012-07-01
Originator
National Atlas of the United States
Description
Attribute information. Used to determine the State code and FIPS code.
Source
Title
Sectional Maps
Originator
National Atlas of the United States
Description
Spatial and attribute information.
Source
Title
1:1,000,000-Scale Coastline of the United States
Publication Date
2012-07-01
Originator
National Atlas of the United States
Description
Spatial and attribute information. The coastlines were used as the limit for waterbodies and wetlands bordering the ocean or Great Lakes. They were also used as the source for the shoreline of the Great Lakes.
Source
Title
1:2,000,000-Scale Hydrologic Unit Boundaries
Publication Date
2005-06-01
Originator
U.S. Geological Survey
Publisher
National Atlas of the United States
Description
Attribute information. Used to determine which region a waterbody or wetland belonged in if it crossed regional boundaries.
Source
Title
1:24,000-Scale Topographic Map Series
Originator
U.S. Geological Survey
Description
Spatial and attribute information.
Source
Title
(variable) Official State Highway Maps
Originator
State Transportation Departments
Description
Spatial and attribute information.
Source
Title
High-Resolution National Hydrography Dataset NHDArea
Publication Date
1999-01-01
Originator
U.S. Geological Survey
Publisher
U.S. Geological Survey
Description
Spatial and attribute information.
Source
Title
National Hydrography Dataset Plus NHDArea
Publication Date
2006-01-01
Originator
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA)
Originator
U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)
Description
Spatial information. Used as a guide to determine the location and extent of waterbodies and wetlands during manual generalization and aggregation processes. Used for the conterminous United States, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Source
Title
1:1,000,000-Scale Major Roads of the United States
Publication Date
2012-07-01
Originator
National Atlas of the United States
Description
Spatial information. Waterbody and wetland limits were offset from roads if the limit of the waterbody or wetland was parallel to the road and within 300 meters of the road.
Source
Title
1:250,000-Scale Topographic Map Series
Originator
U.S. Geological Survey
Description
Spatial and attribute information.
Source
Title
1:100,000-Scale Topographic Map Series
Originator
U.S. Geological Survey
Description
Spatial and attribute information.
Source
Title
Google Maps
Originator
Google
Description
Spatial and attribute information.
Source
Title
1:1,000,000-Scale Railroads of the United States
Publication Date
2012-07-01
Originator
National Atlas of the United States
Description
Spatial information. Waterbody and wetland limits were offset from railroads if the limit of the waterbody or wetland was parallel to the railroad and within 300 meters of the railroad.
Source
Title
Medium-Resolution National Hydrography Dataset NHDWaterbody
Publication Date
1999-01-01
Originator
U.S. Geological Survey
Publisher
U.S. Geological Survey
Description
Spatial and attribute information. Served as one of the primary sources from which the 1:1,000,000-scale map layer was created. Used for Hawaii and the 48 conterminous States.
Source
Title
ESRI Imagery World 2D Map Service
Publication Date
2009-01-01
Originator
Environmental Systems Research Institute - ESRI
Description
Spatial and attribute information.
Source
Title
1:1,000,000-Scale Railroads of the United States
Publication Date
2014-03-01
Originator
National Atlas of the United States
Description
Spatial information. Waterbody and wetland limits were offset from railroads if the limit of the waterbody or wetland was parallel to the railroad and within 300 meters of the railroad.
Source
Title
1:1,000,000-Scale County Boundaries of the United States
Publication Date
2012-07-01
Originator
National Atlas of the United States
Description
Spatial information. Used to determine the location of waterbody and wetland limits that are coincident with county boundaries.
Source
Title
Global Map Specifications Version 2.1
Publication Date
2011-01-01
Originator
International Steering Committee for Global Mapping
Description
Attribute information. Used to define the Global Map attributes and determine their values.
Source
Title
National Hydrography Dataset Plus NHDWaterbody
Publication Date
2006-01-01
Originator
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA)
Originator
U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)
Description
Spatial information. Used as a guide to determine the location and extent of waterbodies and wetlands during manual generalization and aggregation processes. Used for the conterminous United States, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Source
Title
High-Resolution National Hydrography Dataset NHDWaterbody
Publication Date
1999-01-01
Originator
U.S. Geological Survey
Publisher
U.S. Geological Survey
Description
Spatial and attribute information. Served as one of the primary sources from which the 1:1,000,000-scale map layer was created. Used for Alaska, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Source
Title
Geographic Names (GNIS) Map Service
Originator
The National Map
Description
Attribute information.
Source
Title
1:1,000,000-Scale Major Roads of the United States
Publication Date
2014-03-01
Originator
National Atlas of the United States
Description
Spatial information. Waterbody and wetland limits were offset from roads if the limit of the waterbody or wetland was parallel to the road and within 300 meters of the road.
Source
Title
1:1,000,000-Scale State Boundaries of the United States
Publication Date
2014-03-01
Originator
National Atlas of the United States
Description
Attribute information. Used to determine the State code and FIPS code.
Source
Title
1:1,000,000-Scale County Boundaries of the United States
Publication Date
2014-03-01
Originator
National Atlas of the United States
Description
Spatial information. Used to determine the location of waterbody and wetland limits that are coincident with county boundaries.
Source
Title
1:1,000,000-Scale Coastline of the United States
Publication Date
2014-03-01
Originator
National Atlas of the United States
Description
Spatial and attribute information. The coastlines were used as the limit for waterbodies and wetlands bordering the ocean or Great Lakes. They were also used as the source for the shoreline of the Great Lakes.
Source
Title
Google Earth
Originator
Google
Description
Spatial and attribute information.
Source
Title
1:1,000,000-Scale State Base Map Series
Originator
U.S. Geological Survey
Description
Spatial and attribute information.
Source
Title
1:1,000,000-Scale Waterbodies and Wetlands of the United States
Publication Date
2012-07-01
Originator
National Atlas of the United States
Description
Spatial and attribute information
Source
Title
1:500,000-Scale State Base Map Series
Originator
U.S. Geological Survey
Description
Spatial and attribute information.

Distribution Information

Format Name
Shapefile
Distributor
Stanford Geospatial Center
Online Access
http://purl.stanford.edu/sv709xw7113
Protocol
http
Name
wtrbdyp010g.shp
Function
download

Content Information

Feature Catalog Description
Compliance Code
false
Language
eng
Included With Dataset
true
Feature Catalog Citation
Title
Feature catalog for 1:1,000,000-Scale Waterbodies and Wetlands of the United States, 2014
Feature Catalog Identifier
d9b6e644-6a3a-402a-b3e1-495270667bd1

Spatial Representation Information

Vector
Topology Level
geometryOnly
Vector Object Type
composite
Vector Object Count
26878

Metadata Reference Information

Hierarchy Level
dataset
Metadata File Identifier
edu.stanford.purl:sv709xw7113
Parent Identifier
http://purl.stanford.edu/cv275yx9215.mods
Dataset URI
http://purl.stanford.edu/sv709xw7113
Metadata Date Stamp
2016-01-12
Metadata Standard Name
ISO 19139 Geographic Information - Metadata - Implementation Specification
Metadata Standard Version
2007
Character Set
utf8
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