The NHD and the Future of Stream Mapping in West Virginia Jackie Strager Natural Resource Analysis Center Evan Fedorko Kevin Kuhn Kurt Donaldson WV GIS Technical Center wvgis.wvu.edu

WV GIS Conference June 2008 Introduction Outline of this seminar: –Existing stream map: 24K NHD Uses of the NHD Issues with 24K NHD Case study: Stream modifications in the Coal River –Current stream mapping: Local NHD What is the local NHD? Progress to date and questions –What’s next: Stewardship and the future of NHD NHD stewardship and maintenance Future of NHD –Discussion Introduction NHD 24K NHD local Stewardship

WV GIS Conference June 2008 NHD Status in WV National Hydrography Dataset (NHD) USGS standard for mapped surface waters NHD is complete in WV for: –Medium resolution (1:100,000 scale) –High resolution (1:24,000) Local resolution NHD (1:4,800) –Pilot projects nearing completion –Gauley –Upper Guyandotte Introduction NHD 24K NHD local Stewardship

WV GIS Conference June 2008 NHD at many scales… 1:100,000 scale NHD Medium resolution 32,000 miles of mapped streams statewide 1:24,000 scale NHD High resolution 54,000 miles of mapped streams statewide 1:4,800 scale streams Local resolution (approx 50% increase in total mapped length over 24K NHD) Sutton Lake Introduction NHD 24K NHD local Stewardship

WV GIS Conference June 2008 Benefits of NHD format Nationwide standards Fundamental framework data layer for The National Map Consistent format across spatial scales Data, tools, technical references available from USGS Introduction NHD 24K NHD local Stewardship

WV GIS Conference June 2008 Uses of NHD data Cartographic base map product Flow network model Stream measures model Direction of flow 1 mile 2 miles Measured Routes

WV GIS Conference June 2008 Evaluating the NHD What could be improved in 24K NHD in WV? How was this determined? –Track known issues (NRAC) –Stream naming/coding process (NRAC/WVDEP) –Systematic statewide review by WVDEP –Case study: mining impacts in the Coal River watershed Introduction NHD 24K NHD local Stewardship

WV GIS Conference June 2008 Issues with 24K NHD Main Issues: –Errors in geometry –Errors in attributes –Errors in NHD formatting, reach coding –Changes in stream geometry since streams were mapped Source data for 24K NHD: –24K DLG data –Topo map blue lines –GNIS names Introduction NHD 24K NHD local Stewardship

WV GIS Conference June 2008 Geometry errors NHD linework needs to be fixed Causes: –Original topo blue line wrong/missing –Error in NHD creation process (rare) Introduction NHD 24K NHD local Stewardship

WV GIS Conference June 2008 Geometry errors Introduction NHD 24K NHD local Stewardship

WV GIS Conference June 2008 Geometry errors Kanawha River Introduction NHD 24K NHD local Stewardship

WV GIS Conference June 2008 Attribute errors Most common: Name errors NHD name attribute: GNISName Causes: –GNIS name incorrect, typos –Name needs to be added to NHD –“Hollows” Introduction NHD 24K NHD local Stewardship

WV GIS Conference June 2008 Attribute errors Whitesville quad, Boone County Introduction NHD 24K NHD local Stewardship

WV GIS Conference June 2008 Attribute errors Trib to North Fork Cherry River, Nicholas County Introduction NHD 24K NHD local Stewardship

WV GIS Conference June 2008 NHD formatting issues Reach coding errors –Reaches need to be split –Mainstem/tributaries incorrectly identified NHD attributing errors (other than name) –Perennial/intermittent –Other (FCODE) Introduction NHD 24K NHD local Stewardship

WV GIS Conference June 2008 NHD formatting issues Perennial Intermittent (?) Introduction NHD 24K NHD local Stewardship

WV GIS Conference June 2008 Keeping NHD up to date Stream drainage changes Causes: –Mining –Road construction –Re-routing of streams, channelization –Braids/channels no longer exist Introduction NHD 24K NHD local Stewardship

WV GIS Conference June 2008 Keeping NHD up to date Introduction NHD 24K NHD local Stewardship Formerly Fourmile Branch/White Oak Cr Sylvester quad, Boone County

WV GIS Conference June 2008 Keeping NHD up to date Introduction NHD 24K NHD local Stewardship

WV GIS Conference June 2008 Keeping NHD up to date Introduction NHD 24K NHD local Stewardship

WV GIS Conference June 2008 The big picture… Introduction NHD 24K NHD local Stewardship Quantifying issues with the NHD Primarily based on WVDEP review

WV GIS Conference June 2008 The big picture… Introduction NHD 24K NHD local Stewardship Quantifying issues with the NHD Primarily based on WVDEP review

WV GIS Conference June 2008 The big picture (2)… Type of problem Number of Segments % of Segments Total Length (mi) Possible geometry error NHD attribute error (FCODE) Karst/sinking streams NHD format error (reaches)60.00n/a Name issues (possible) Name issues1, TOTAL216,57994,796 Quantifying 24K NHD issues as identified by WVDEP review Introduction NHD 24K NHD local Stewardship

WV GIS Conference June 2008 Coal River case study Goal: Quantify amount of stream drainage change related to mining for southern WV watershed Input datasets: –24K NHD stream lines –1:4,800 local stream lines –2003 SAMB aerial photos –2007 NAIP aerial photos Introduction NHD 24K NHD local Stewardship

WV GIS Conference June 2008 Original 24K NHD Introduction NHD 24K NHD local Stewardship

WV GIS Conference June Aerial photos Introduction NHD 24K NHD local Stewardship 2003 Photo

WV GIS Conference June 2008 Mining visible in 2003 Introduction NHD 24K NHD local Stewardship 2003 Photo

WV GIS Conference June 2008 Aerial photos 2007 Introduction NHD 24K NHD local Stewardship 2007 Photo

WV GIS Conference June 2008 Mining visible 2007 Introduction NHD 24K NHD local Stewardship 2007 Photo

WV GIS Conference June 2008 Summary for 24K NHD in Coal DescriptionArea (acres) Length of 24K streams (mi) Entire Coal watershed570,0002,232 Impacted by mining (2003)12,32159 Impacted by newer mining (2007) 10,75733

WV GIS Conference June 2008 Local resolution NHD Local streams mapped from 2003 SAMB aerial photography and 3m DEM Benefits: –Better cartographic base for local mapping –Captures changes in stream geometry, length Uses: –Emergency and floodplain management –Water quality permitting –Water resources inventory –Other local/municipal level projects Status: –Pilot projects nearly complete for Gauley, Upper Guyandotte Introduction NHD 24K NHD local Stewardship

WV GIS Conference June 2008 Local NHD issues Level of detail varies Special situations: ditches and culverts Changes in stream geometry Using final product: need for stream generalization? Introduction NHD 24K NHD local Stewardship

WV GIS Conference June 2008 Issue: Detail varies Introduction NHD 24K NHD local Stewardship

WV GIS Conference June 2008 Issue: Ditches and culverts Introduction NHD 24K NHD local Stewardship

WV GIS Conference June 2008 Issue: Geometry updates Streams change constantly Coal River case study Introduction NHD 24K NHD local Stewardship

WV GIS Conference June 2008 Coal case study: Local Introduction NHD 24K NHD local Stewardship

WV GIS Conference June 2008 Coal case study: Local DescriptionArea (acres) Length of streams (mi) Length of streams (mi) 24K 1:4,800 Entire Coal watershed570,0002,2322,829 Impacted by mining (2003)12,32159n/a Impacted by newer mining (2007) 10, Introduction NHD 24K NHD local Stewardship

WV GIS Conference June 2008 Future of NHD for WV… Goal: Stewardship plan for NHD in WV –Data updates –Ensures data maintenance –Central point of contact Additional considerations –NHD generalization? –Completion of local NHD statewide? Introduction NHD 24K NHD local Stewardship

WV GIS Conference June 2008 Stewardship Introduction NHD 24K NHD local Stewardship

WV GIS Conference June 2008 Stewardship In response to production wrapping up and major partners reducing their role, USGS has envisioned a stewardship program. What does the USGS mean by “stewardship?” –Two goals: A process by which we ensure that data continues to evolve and reflect changes on the ground as well as correct existing errors Bring users with local knowledge to the table Introduction NHD 24K NHD local Stewardship

WV GIS Conference June 2008 Stewardship USGS loosely defines two roles: –Data steward Supervision and management of edits to the data A trustworthy, trained “super-user” –“Contributors” Less well defined – those with ‘knowledge’ about hydrography on the ground This is essentially “everyone else” Introduction NHD 24K NHD local Stewardship

WV GIS Conference June 2008 Stewardship So, stewardship generally is envisioned to be arranged as such: National NHD Database State NHD Steward “Contributors” Well documented! Murky! Introduction NHD 24K NHD local Stewardship

WV GIS Conference June 2008 Stewardship USGS has developed a robust editing tool for THE STEWARD’S use, the NHDGeoEditTool. They have also aided in the coordination of stewards. The process of actually collecting edits is being left up to the individual stewards. Introduction NHD 24K NHD local Stewardship

WV GIS Conference June 2008 Stewardship Enter the NHD Community! Introduction NHD 24K NHD local Stewardship

WV GIS Conference June 2008 Stewardship Several states are developing methodologies and tools for NHD stewardship Most states favor a “targeted audience” approach that also includes the general public: State NHD Steward Stewardship Partners (e.g., DEP, DNR, USFS) General Public Introduction NHD 24K NHD local Stewardship

WV GIS Conference June 2008 Stewardship What should West Virginia do? –Identify principal steward(s) –Consolidate key stakeholders –Critically examine existing NHD data –Discuss the ways in which NHD data is utilized –Develop a stewardship plan Introduction NHD 24K NHD local Stewardship

WV GIS Conference June 2008 Discussion Natural Resource Analysis Center West Virginia University WV GIS Technical Center West Virginia University wvgis.wvu.edu