Evaluating the National Hydrography Dataset and Stewardship Options for

Missouri

National Hydrography

Dataset

• Nation-wide spatial dataset for water and water-related features in the United States.

• Origins– USGS DLGs– EPA Reach files

Utility Network Trace of Subbasin 10300102

NHD Data Model

National Hydrography Dataset• Developments

– Resolutions•Medium Resolution NHD = 1:100,000•High Resolution NHD = 1:24,000•Local Resolution NHD = anything more

local than 1:24,000 (e.g., 12,000; 2,400; 1,200)

– Water Boundary Dataset• Uses:

– Model flow; geocode– MORAP’s Aquatic Gap – Cartography; GRC’s NMSZ project

NHD Stewardship• Partnerships; formal through MOA• USGS

– Infrastructure: initial training, software, documentation, quality control, serve data

• Stewards (usually at the state level)– Support, develop, and coordinate the use

and improvement of NHD for their area– Conduit between USGS & Stewards

•Ensure submitted data is accurate, consistent, and current

• Without Stewardship, Missouri and users of Missouri data fall behind.– 66 subbasins, only 25 contained in Missouri

Editing the NHD

• Importance of tables and metadata

Tools of the Trade• Requires special tools• Help automate process• Maintain

– accuracy of database

– consistency across the U.S.

• USGS training

Documentation

Editing Process

Stewardship Options for Missouri

• Participation• Action

– Requests for corrections or improvements from users

– Gradual improvements– Revision of existing NHD resolutions– Creating new local resolution NHD

Gradual Improvement• Filling out the data

model• Existing data

sources– Wells– Springs– Water intake/outflow– Dams

• New data– Levees– Bridges

• GNIS names

• Dams– USGS adding >2,400

acre feet capacity dams

– 4 such dams in Subbasin 10300102 NHDH

– 5,221 dams in MO DNR file; 372 in Subbasin 10300102

– Dams aid in distinction between “lake/pond” and “reservoir”

Revising High

Resolution NHD

• NHD based on 1:24,000 topographic map products– 1950s-1970s

• 2007 2-ft orthoimagery

Creating Local Resolution NHD1:2,400 & 1:1,200

Time Projections for Editing

Time Estimates for Quality

Control and Data

Submission

• Hard to project• Checking & re-

checking• Repeating circuits

NHD & Stewardship in Neighboring StatesState Agency MOA? Notes

Iowa Dept. Natural Resources

Create 4,800 local;1 meter LiDAR DEMs

Illinois USGS IL Water Science Center

Yes

Kentucky Geographic Info Office

Tennessee O. Info Resources - GIS Services

Create 4,800 & 1,200 local

Arkansas Dept. Environmental Q.

Draft Revise 24k“Awaiting Adoption”

Oklahoma Water Resources Board

Yes

Kansas DASC Yes Some 24k revision

Nebraska GIS Steering Committee & DNR

Yes DNR maintain 24k

Organizing NHD Work• Steward does all the

editing work• Steward’s agency

does all of the editing work

• Other state agencies contribute editing work

• Other government entities contribute editing work

• Other entities contribute editing work

• Steward responsibilities– Contact between the

USGS & work done in the state

– Organizing & coordinating editing work within the state

– Provide instruction and support for editing work done within state

– Check and submit NHD edits done in state to the USGS

Stewardship Options for Missouri• Should Missouri:

– Work towards using the NHD as the primary water-related dataset?

– Participate in the NHD Stewardship Program?

– Work to improve the NHD?

• How will Missouri structure Stewardship?

• Options for improving the NHD– “Stewardship

service”– Gradual

improvement• Existing data

sources– Dams, wells

• New data sources– Levees, bridges

• GNIS names– Revising 100k or 24k– Creating local

resolution NHD