Watershed GIS: Exploring Tools & Resources

1. Watershed GIS: Exploring Tools & Resources Julia Cole GIS Coordinator, Southwestern Illinois GIS Resource Center

2. Overview • Software Options • Data Resources • Getting GIS to End Users

3. Software Choices

4. GIS has become “Mainstream” Technology • People want & need maps • Variety of software & hardware investment

5. Development of “Desktop GIS” for PC users • Use proliferated for various map related activities: planning, land records, market and sales distribution, crime and traffic analysis, etc. • Doesn’t make everyone a Geographer or Cartographer!

6. High-end Software Options “Intensive Users” “Dedicated Users” Either option provides a means to create data

7. Limited Software Options “Casual Users” “Browsers” Allows review, comparison, query, print and reporting features New data is generally not created

8. Pick the Right Tool for Job • What do you want to do with maps? • How much time can you invest? • Do you have the skills to apply to mapping projects – or require training? • Can someone else do it more efficiently?

9. Data Resources

10. Existing Data Resources Examples of Federal agencies with long-time investment in mapping • USGS (US Geologic Survey) • Census Bureau • EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) • USDA (US Dept. of Agriculture) • BLM (Bureau of Land Management)

11. Examples of State Data • Illinois Geologic Survey (ISGS) • Illinois Environmental Protection (IEPA) • Illinois Dept. of Natural Resources (IDNR) • Illinois Dept. of Agriculture (IDA) • Illinois Historic Preservation (IHPA)

12. Regional and County Data • County assessors, planning and economic development • Regional Planning agencies • RC&D organizations (have access and support from state & federal level)

13. Local Data • Cities • Watershed Associations • Outdoor Enthusiasts (trails & recreation) • Conservation groups

14. Before you use it, know….. • Purpose – why was it created? • Extent – what geographic area is it? • Scale and Accuracy – how reliable is it? • Availability: who is it shared with?

15. How do you know? • Information about digital data as a document (text file, word processing, HTML) • Should always accompany the data so end users know what its good for… METADATA

16. GIS Distribution Project Examples

17. McKnight Land Registry • Large, valuable watershed… • Way to inventory, display, “tell the story”

18. Watershed needs: • Understand potential resources • Display current status • Evaluate changes over time • See impact of conservation efforts

19. Inventory Existing Data • Flood zones • Streams • Landcover • Partnerships • Administrative boundaries

20. Data that needed to be created: • Parcels • Forest extent • Conservation practices

21. Analysis: • Forest loss • Property owners • Current conservation efforts

22. RuralWater Mapping Illinois Rural Water Association Provides technical assistance to operators USDA - Rural Development Provides financial assistance to expand services

23. They needed a tool to visualize location of operators across the state… Immediate Purpose • Economic development • Identify potential interconnections • Water system planning • Grant application evaluation

24. Project Goals State-wide continuous mapping of water system features Consistent data capture on common base map No constraints on product availability

25. Water mains • Gate valves • Flush hydrants • Fire hydrants • Elevated storage tanks • Water sources • Pump stations • Master meters

26. Data Distribution • Rural Water Mapping Security awareness following September 11, 2001 • McKnight Land Registry Targeted variety of users with variety of end products

27. Technical ability Training Support Standardized data Hardware Software Getting GIS to the End User

28. GIS Applications • Many potential users • Not all have time & capacity to become “specialists” • GIS web services

29. Thank you… Julia Cole GIS Coordinator Southwestern Illinois GIS Resource Center