National Wetlands Inventory

Metadata:

• Identification_Information
• Data_Quality_Information
• Spatial_Data_Organization_Information
• Spatial_Reference_Information
• Entity_and_Attribute_Information
• Distribution_Information
• Metadata_Reference_Information

Identification_Information:

Citation:

Citation_Information:

Originator: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Publication_Date: January 22, 2010

Title: WETDBA.CONUS_wet_poly

Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: vector digital data

Series_Information:

Series_Name:

Classification of Wetlands and Deepwater Habitats of the United States. U.S. Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service, Washington, DC. FWS/OBS-79/31.

Publication_Information:

Publication_Place: Washington, D.C.

Publisher:

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Division of Habitat and Resouce Conservation

Online_Linkage: <http://www.fws.gov/wetlands/>

Description:

Abstract:

This data set represents the extent, approximate location and type of wetlands and deepwater habitats in the conterminous United States. These data delineate the areal extent of wetlands and surface waters as defined by Cowardin et al. (1979).
Certain wetland habitats are excluded from the National mapping program because of the limitations of aerial imagery as the primary data source used to detect wetlands. These habitats include seagrasses or submerged aquatic vegetation that are found in the intertidal and subtidal zones of estuaries and near shore coastal waters. Some deepwater reef communities (coral or tuberficid worm reefs) have also been excluded from the inventory. These habitats, because of their depth, go undetected by aerial imagery.
By policy, the Service also excludes certain types of "farmed wetlands" as may be defined by the Food Security Act or that do not coincide with the Cowardin et al. definition. Contact the Service's Regional Wetland Coordinator for additional information on what types of farmed wetlands are included on wetland maps.

Purpose:

The present goal of the Service is to provide the citizens of the United States and its Trust Territories with current geospatially referenced information on the status, extent, characteristics and functions of wetlands, riparian, deepwater and related aquatic habitats in priority areas to promote the understanding and conservation of these resources.

Supplemental_Information:

The wetland maps were produced as topical overlays using U.S. Geological Survey topographic maps as the base. The hard copy product is a composite map showing topographic and planimetric features from the USGS map base and wetlands and deepwater habitats from the Service's topical overlay. Thus, the data are intended for use in publications, at a scale of 1:24,000 or smaller. Due to the scale, the primary intended use is for regional and watershed data display and analysis, rather than specific project data analysis. The map products were neither designed or intended to represent legal or regulatory products.
Questions or comments regarding the interpretation or classification of wetlands or deepwater habitats can be addressed by visiting <http://www.fws.gov/wetlands/FAQs.html>
These data were developed in conjunction with the publication Cowardin, L.M., V. Carter, F.C. Golet, and E.T. LaRoe. 1979. Classification of Wetlands and Deepwater Habitats of the United States. U.S. Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service, Washington, DC. FWS/OBS-79/31. Alpha-numeric map codes have been developed to correspond to the wetland and deepwater classifications described.
These spatial data are not designed to stand alone. They form topical overlays to the U.S. Geological Survey 1:24,000 or 1:25,000 scale topographic quadrangles. Note that coastline delineations were drawn to follow the extent of wetland or deepwater features as described by this project and may not match the coastline shown in other base maps.
Any use of trade, product, or firm names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.
Although this Federal Geographic Data Committee-compliant metadata file is intended to document the data set in nonproprietary form, as well as in Arc/INFO format, this metadata file may include some Arc/INFO-specific terminology.

Time_Period_of_Content:

Time_Period_Information:

Range_of_Dates/Times:

Beginning_Date: 1977

Ending_Date: present

Currentness_Reference: ground condition

Status:

Progress: Ongoing

Maintenance_and_Update_Frequency: In Continuous Increments

Spatial_Domain:

Bounding_Coordinates:

West_Bounding_Coordinate: -127.982503

East_Bounding_Coordinate: -65.272195

North_Bounding_Coordinate: 51.611788

South_Bounding_Coordinate: 22.725718

Keywords:

Theme:

Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus:

REQUIRED: Reference to a formally registered thesaurus or a similar authoritative source of theme keywords.

Theme_Keyword: Wetlands

Theme_Keyword: Deepwater habitats

Theme_Keyword: Hydrography

Theme_Keyword: Surface water

Theme_Keyword: Swamps, marshes, bogs, fens

Place:

Place_Keyword: Conterminous United States

Place_Keyword: United States

Place_Keyword: Conterminous 48 states

Place_Keyword: Lower 48 states

Place_Keyword: Maine

Place_Keyword: Vermont

Place_Keyword: New Hampshire

Place_Keyword: Connecticut

Place_Keyword: Massachusetts

Place_Keyword: Delaware

Place_Keyword: Rhode Island

Place_Keyword: New York

Place_Keyword: New Jersey

Place_Keyword: Pennsylvania

Place_Keyword: West Virginia

Place_Keyword: District of Columbia

Place_Keyword: Virginia

Place_Keyword: Maryland

Place_Keyword: Ohio

Place_Keyword: Indiana

Place_Keyword: Michigan

Place_Keyword: Illinois

Place_Keyword: Wisconsin

Place_Keyword: Iowa

Place_Keyword: Missouri

Place_Keyword: Minnesota

Place_Keyword: Kansas

Place_Keyword: Nebraska

Place_Keyword: South Dakota

Place_Keyword: North Dakota

Place_Keyword: Montana

Place_Keyword: Colorado

Place_Keyword: Utah

Place_Keyword: Wyoming

Place_Keyword: Texas

Place_Keyword: Oklahoma

Place_Keyword: New Mexico

Place_Keyword: Arizona

Place_Keyword: Nevada

Place_Keyword: California

Place_Keyword: Oregon

Place_Keyword: Washington

Place_Keyword: Idaho

Place_Keyword: North Carolina

Place_Keyword: South Carolina

Place_Keyword: Georgia

Place_Keyword: Alabama

Place_Keyword: Florida

Place_Keyword: Mississippi

Place_Keyword: Louisiana

Place_Keyword: Arkansas

Place_Keyword: Kentucky

Place_Keyword: Tennessee

Access_Constraints: None

Use_Constraints:

None. Acknowledgement of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and (or) the National Wetlands Inventory would be appreciated in products derived from these data

Point_of_Contact:

Contact_Information:

Contact_Organization_Primary:

Contact_Organization: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Contact_Person: Wetlands Database Administrator

Contact_Position: Divison of Habitat and Resouce Conservation

Contact_Address:

Address_Type: mailing address

Address: 555 Lester Ave.

City: Onalaska

State_or_Province: WI

Postal_Code: 54650

Country: USA

Contact_Voice_Telephone: 608-238-9333

Contact_Facsimile_Telephone: 608-238-9334

Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: wetlands_team@fws.gov

Browse_Graphic:

Browse_Graphic_File_Description:

Topical overlay showing the extent and type of wetland and deepwater habitats.

Native_Data_Set_Environment:

Microsoft Windows XP Version 5.1 (Build 2600) Service Pack 3; ESRI ArcCatalog 9.3.1.3000

Cross_Reference:

Citation_Information:

Originator: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Serivce, National Wetlands Inventory

Publication_Date: Various

Title:

Wetlands and Deepwater Habitats of the Conterminous United States

Edition: Version 1.0

Publication_Information:

Publication_Place: Washington, D.C. USA

Publisher: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Data_Quality_Information:

Attribute_Accuracy:

Attribute_Accuracy_Report:

The source data was checked using standard review procedures. Attributes were checked by using visual inspection as well as automated verification routines. Quality of the attribute information varies with age and mapping protocols used when individual maps were prepared

Quantitative_Attribute_Accuracy_Assessment:

Attribute_Accuracy_Value: All polygons are attributed.

Logical_Consistency_Report:

Polygon and chain-node topology are present. Every polygon has a label.

Completeness_Report:

This data set represents the extent of wetlands and deepwater habitats that can be determined with the use of remotely sensed data and within the timeframe for which the maps were produced. Wetlands are shown in all of the conterminous 48 states and the District of Columbia. The accuracy of image interpretation depends on the quality of the imagery, the experience of the image analysts, the amount and quality of the collateral data, and the amount of ground truth verification work conducted.
There is a margin error inherent in the use of imagery, thus detailed on-the-ground inspection of any particular site, may result in revision of the wetland boundaries or classification, established through image analysis.
Wetlands or other mapped features may have changed since the date or the imagery and/or field work. There may be occasional differences in polygon boundaries or classifications between the information depicted on the map and the actual conditions on site.

Lineage:

Source_Information:

Source_Citation:

Citation_Information:

Originator: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Publication_Date: 1977 to present

Title:

Wetlands and Deepwater Habitats of the Conterminous United States

Series_Information:

Series_Name: National Wetlands Inventory Maps

Publication_Information:

Publication_Place: Washington, D.C.

Publisher: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Source_Scale_Denominator: 1:24,000 and 1:25,000

Type_of_Source_Media: Digital file and hard copy paper

Source_Time_Period_of_Content:

Time_Period_Information:

Range_of_Dates/Times:

Beginning_Date: 1977

Ending_Date: present

Source_Currentness_Reference: ground condition

Source_Contribution: Spatial information

Process_Step:

Process_Description:

Original stable base hard copy maps of wetland and deepwater habitats were created based on USGS state and quadrangle boundaries. These maps were converted to digital files using various software packages (WAMS, ARC and others). The digital files were stored as ESRI Import/Export files corresponding to a single 1:24,000 USGS quadrangle. These digital files were imported and converted to ESRI Coverage format and checked for topological and attribute errors. All coverages were converted from a UTM map projection to an Alber's Equal Area map projection and the horizontal datum was converted from NAD27 to NAD83 were necessary. Polygons attributed as "Uplands" were removed from the dataset and polygons were merged at quadrangle boundaries where the quadrangle line divided polygons with the same attribute. The data was loaded into a seamless SDE geodatabase for the conterminous United States. These steps were conducted using both Arc Macro Language (AML) and ArcMap editing tools. All point data from the original ESRI Coverages were buffered by 11.28 meters (1/10 of an acre) and incorporated into this polygon feature class. Linear features from the original ESRI Coverages were merged at quadrangle boundaries where the quadrangle line divided lines with the same attribute. Linear data is stored in a separate feature class.
Further data improvements included the conversion of all old wetland codes that contained 'OW' to the new code containing 'UB'. All polygons labeled as 'OUT', 'No Data' and 'NP' were removed from the database.

Source_Used_Citation_Abbreviation: NWI

Process_Step:

Process_Description:

The file was converted to NAD83 in geographic coordinates, and saved in geodatabase format.

Process_Date: 200401

Spatial_Data_Organization_Information:

Direct_Spatial_Reference_Method: Vector

Point_and_Vector_Object_Information:

SDTS_Terms_Description:

SDTS_Point_and_Vector_Object_Type: G-polygon

Point_and_Vector_Object_Count: 15154485

Spatial_Reference_Information:

Horizontal_Coordinate_System_Definition:

Planar:

Map_Projection:

Map_Projection_Name: Albers Conical Equal Area

Albers_Conical_Equal_Area:

Standard_Parallel: 29.500000

Standard_Parallel: 45.500000

Longitude_of_Central_Meridian: -96.000000

Latitude_of_Projection_Origin: 23.000000

False_Easting: 0.000000

False_Northing: 0.000000

Planar_Coordinate_Information:

Planar_Coordinate_Encoding_Method: coordinate pair

Coordinate_Representation:

Abscissa_Resolution: 0.000156

Ordinate_Resolution: 0.000156

Planar_Distance_Units: meters

Geodetic_Model:

Horizontal_Datum_Name: North American Datum of 1983

Ellipsoid_Name: Geodetic Reference System 80

Semi-major_Axis: 6378137.000000

Denominator_of_Flattening_Ratio: 298.257222

Vertical_Coordinate_System_Definition:

Altitude_System_Definition:

Altitude_Resolution: 1.000000

Altitude_Encoding_Method:

Explicit elevation coordinate included with horizontal coordinates

Entity_and_Attribute_Information:

Detailed_Description:

Entity_Type:

Entity_Type_Label: WETDBA.CONUS_wet_poly

Entity_Type_Definition: Reference: Cowardin et al. 1979

Entity_Type_Definition_Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: OBJECTID

Attribute_Definition: Internal feature number.

Attribute_Definition_Source: ESRI

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: Polygon

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: 2-dimensional element.

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: ESRI GIS software

Unrepresentable_Domain:

Sequential unique whole numbers that are automatically generated.

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: ATTRIBUTE

Attribute_Definition:

Alphanumeric code identifying the wetland classification of the polygon.

Attribute_Definition_Source: <http://www.fws.gov/wetlands/Data/wetlandcodes.html>

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: HGM_CODE

Attribute_Definition: Hydrogeomorphic code

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: QAQC_CODE

Attribute_Definition: Results of a test for data quality

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: SHAPE

Attribute_Definition: Feature geometry.

Attribute_Definition_Source: ESRI

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Unrepresentable_Domain: Coordinates defining the features.

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: WETLAND_TYPE

Attribute_Definition: General description of the wetland classification.

Attribute_Definition_Source: <http://www.fws.gov/wetlands/Data/MapperTips.html>

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: ACRES

Attribute_Definition: Area of the polygon in acres.

Attribute_Definition_Source:

Calculated in an Albers Equal Area projection using ESRI's geometry calculator.

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: DECODE

Attribute_Definition: URL to the wetlands code interpreter

Attribute_Definition_Source: <http://www.fws.gov/wetlands/Data/WetlandCodes.html>

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: GLOBALID

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: SHAPE.AREA

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: SHAPE.LEN

Distribution_Information:

Distributor:

Contact_Information:

Contact_Organization_Primary:

Contact_Organization: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Contact_Position: Wetlands Database Administrator

Contact_Address:

Address_Type: mailing address

Address: 555 Lester Ave.

City: Onalaska

State_or_Province: WI

Postal_Code: 54650

Country: USA

Contact_Voice_Telephone: 608-268-9333

Contact_Facsimile_Telephone: 608-238-9334

Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: wetlands_team@fws.gov

Contact_Instructions:

Hard copy maps can be purchased through Cooperator-Run Distribution Centers. Each Center establishes its own pricing structure, product types and order procedures. View Cooperator-Run Distribution Centers. The wetlands data can also be viewed by accessing The National Map.

Resource_Description: Downloadable Data

Distribution_Liability:

Although these data have been processed successfully on a computer system at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, no warranty expressed or implied is made by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service regarding the utility of the data on any other system, nor shall the act of distribution constitute any such warranty. No responsibility is assumed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in the use of these data.

Standard_Order_Process:

Digital_Form:

Digital_Transfer_Information:

Format_Name: Shapefile or File Geodatabase

Digital_Transfer_Option:

Online_Option:

Computer_Contact_Information:

Network_Address:

Network_Resource_Name: <http://www.fws.gov/wetlands/data/DataDownload.html>

Offline_Option:

Offline_Media: CD-ROM or DVD

Recording_Format: tar

Fees:

There is no charge for the online option. Requests for large amounts of data are handled on a cost reimbursable basis.

Metadata_Reference_Information:

Metadata_Date: January 22, 2010

Metadata_Contact:

Contact_Information:

Contact_Organization_Primary:

Contact_Organization: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Contact_Position: Wetlands Database Administrator

Contact_Address:

Address_Type: mailing and physical address

Address: 505 Science Drive

City: Madison

State_or_Province: WI

Postal_Code: 53711

Country: USA

Contact_Voice_Telephone: 608-238-9333

Contact_Facsimile_Telephone: 608-238-9334

Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: wetlands_team@fws.gov

Metadata_Standard_Name: FGDC Content Standards for Digital Geospatial Metadata

Metadata_Standard_Version: FGDC-STD-001-1998

Metadata_Time_Convention: local time

Metadata_Security_Information:

Metadata_Security_Classification_System: None

Metadata_Security_Classification: Unclassified

Metadata_Security_Handling_Description: None

Metadata_Extensions:

Online_Linkage: <http://www.esri.com/metadata/esriprof80.html>

Profile_Name: ESRI Metadata Profile

Metadata_Extensions:

Online_Linkage: <http://www.esri.com/metadata/esriprof80.html>

Profile_Name: ESRI Metadata Profile