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Batch Indexing, Enviromapper, Web Services, and GIS Tools. Randy Hill, Kevin Christian US EPA OWOW/AWPD/MB November 28, 2007. What is a Web Service?. A web service is a computer-to-computer protocol that allows for the direct sharing of information.
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Batch Indexing, Enviromapper, Web Services, and GIS Tools Randy Hill, Kevin Christian US EPA OWOW/AWPD/MB November 28, 2007
What is a Web Service? • A web service is a computer-to-computer protocol that allows for the direct sharing of information. • Web services allow for data from multiple sources to be packaged together in one layout, web presentation, or application. • Typically, a web service has input parameters, and pre-defined output format • These are the basic principles under which the Exchange Network functions
A common web service example • Weather bug: • The weather bug software is something that many are familiar with. It runs on a very basic web service. • It has basic input parameters: zip code • It has a defined output format (xml file) • The actual weather data does not need to be stored on your computer, it just pulls the data via a web service, and then displays that information in a user friendly format.
What Web Services are being planned? • Four core services are being developed: • Watershed/Station Catalog service – provides summary information on what data are available • Project Catalog service – provides summary information by projects based on an input of min/max latitude/longitude • Stations service – provides specific station information • Results service – provides results for modeling, analysis, and decision making
Where do Web Services fit? Data in/out services via WQX WH services available via Exch. Net. Data out services through direct access to the WH
So What? • Web Services allow for more accessibility to the data. • Allows for any application that can consume a web service to be able to access the data that are available in STORET • Includes: • Microsoft Excel • Mapping Applications • Models • Or any other custom application
Why Web Services? • Allow for you to create one method for accessing data that can be reused in multiple ways • Some example applications: • EPA’s Watershed Summary reports • The next release of Enviromapper for Water • An example Virtual Earth application
Virtual Earth • RANDY: Either live demo or slides like Enviromapper
Batch Indexing • New development that EPA is working on • Allow for any new stations submitted via WQX to be automatically georeferenced to the NHD+ • The Georeferenced reach codes would be returned to the data provider, as well an opportunity to QA the georeferenced locations • This will use a concept called ‘Rain Drop’ to ensure that points are tied to the correct NHD reach
If the two points represent Accuracy/Precison issues then note how raindrop results in same indexed location • Note how upper point with straight snap would go to wrong catchment • Note how the path does trace the topo delineation for water
Why this is Important? • Allows for monitoring data to be easily linked to other types of data (i.e. Impaired waters, assessments, permits, etc.) • Allows for upstream/downstream analysis • Greatly expands the usability of monitoring data
Batch Indexing Timeline • This capability should be available Fall of 2008 • Deployed as a service that any data flow could use (not just for WQX) • Also provide some Geospatial QA services (i.e. is the lat/long in the county/HUC/state that the user specified)
Questions? • Contacts: • Randy Hill 202-566-0644, hill.randye@epa.gov • Kevin Christian 202-566-1180, christian.kevin@epa.gov • STORET 1-800-424-9087, storet@epa.gov