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National Hydrography Dataset Applications Overview

Symposium on

Terrain Analysis for Water Resources Applications

Austin, Texas

December 16, 2002

The National Hydrography Dataset Provides:

• Rich cartographic feature content for making maps

• A stream addressing system for linking water-related information to the national drainage network

• Upstream/downstream modeling along the drainage network

• Infrastructure for maintenance and enhancement

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NHD Modeling Components

• Upstream and downstream navigation• Reach-to-reach relationships• Computed attributes

• Reach drainage areas (catchments) connect the land surface to the drainage network

• Flow volume and velocity for dilution modeling

( Watershed and Stream Characteristics Track,9:30 – 5:00 Wednesday )

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(Draft)

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WB 12-digit

Nhddrain

DEM SEED

Burned NHD with WB

Burned NHD no WB

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Reach Address Database

WATERS(Watershed Assessment, Tracking and

Environmental ResultS)Reach Characteristics

Total Waters

Current

Planned

NationalHydrographyDatasetEnviroMapper for Water

(Web Interface)

Inte

rnet

Ask WATERS(Web Interface)

Nutrients

ImpairedWaters &

TotalMaximum

DailyLoads

Water QualityAssessments

Water Quality

Monitoring(STORET)

Water QualityStandards

Non-PointSource Grants

Drinking Water Supplies

No-Discharge Zones

Recreational Beaches

Permitted Dischargers

Fish Advisories

303(d)Events

305(b)Events

TMDLEvents

STORET

EventsWQS

Events319

Events

NHD Reach Addressing Tools

NH

D R

ea

ch A

dd

ress

ing

To

ols

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WATERS WATERS combines water quality information that describes the water bodies of the United States

http://www.epa.gov/waters

EnviroMapper for Water is an Internet tool that displays these

water bodies and associated water quality information (items 2-5). It enables users, from concerned

citizens to environmental scientists, to view environmental

data and make informed decisions.

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The Water Quality Standards Database contains information on the designated uses for water bodies, such as drinking

water, swimming, and fishing. As part of a State's water quality standards,

designated uses provide a regulatory goal for the water body and define the level of

protection assigned to it.

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The water bodies identified through WATERS are those found on topographic maps as represented in the EPA/USGS produced National Hydrography Dataset (http://nhd.usgs.gov).

The Water Quality Standards Database also

contains the scientific criteria to support these

designated uses.

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The National Assessment Database contains information

on the attainment of water quality standards. Assessed waters are classified as Fully

Supporting, Not Assessed or Not Supporting their

designated uses.

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The Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) Tracking System

contains information on waters that are Not Supporting their designated uses. TMDLs are

pollution budgets used to restore the health of these impaired

waters.

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The graphic above is for illustrative purposes only. The database reports shown do not necessarily describe actual water bodies displayed on the

map.

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AskWATERS

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NPS Grants for Watershed 050400004

Impaired Waters in Watershed 050400004

Overlap of Impaired Waters and NPS Grants

Report for NPS Grants vs Impaired Waters

AskWATERS

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• Watershed and Stream Characteristics Track, 9:30 – 5:00 Wednesday

• Web Sites– NHD, http://nhd.usgs.gov

• see NHD Applications link– WATERS, http://www.epa.gov/waters

• Tommy Dewald, USEPA/Office of Waterdewald.tommy@epa.gov

For More Information