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~~ <br />Summer/Fall 1995 WATER TALK Page 13 <br />etlans, atere <br />and lolai: <br />ettin t I peed <br />Glenn Radde, Systems Analysis, GIS <br />Improved Watershed Data <br />The MRCS (formerly SCS) plans to produce a <br />comprehensive hydrologic unit atlas as it did a <br />number of years ago. The base information is <br />the DOW's file of major, minor, and sub-basin <br />delineations. Sandy Fecht and Jim Solstad have <br />spent a great deal of Time and effort ensuring <br />that our 1:24,000 quad delineations are <br />accurate. Besides this activity, LMIC, USGS, <br />Mankato State University (MSU), and MRCS <br />staff have integrated the Minnesota River Basin <br />data (of USGS) and MSU's data from thirteen <br />south-central counties to create a new, <br />comprehensive watershed data coverage. This <br />project (paper atlas and digital data) is <br />anticipated to be completed sometime this fall. <br />NWI, MnDOT & PWI Data <br />Managing the NWI GIS data has been a real <br />challenge. This is due to the sheer volume of <br />data (over 3 gigabytes of files) and its complexity <br />(about 2600 types of wetlands). As with all lazge <br />data projects, there is a substantial learning <br />curve which everyone involved must endure. We <br />have nearly completed checking all of the digital <br />NWI data (in August 1995). There remain a <br />number of persistent, serious technical <br />problems to overcome with a number of the <br />original 1:24,000 digital NWI quads. We plan on <br />28th nnual ater erce <br />nference... <br />Water Resources Conference <br />Tuesday, October 24,1995 <br />Earle Brown Center, St. Paul Campus <br />University of Minnesota <br />For more information, please call: <br />(61.2) 625-6689 <br />overcoming these problems this fall using the <br />latest digital data available from the USFWS. A <br />goal. is to make available county data sets of the <br />point, line, and polygon data far both the full <br />NWI and Circular39 classifications in ArcView <br />and. EPPL7 software formats. <br />Progress on converting the NWI into a PWI <br />data set encountered substantial problems <br />because of some of the limitations of the NWI <br />source data mentioned above, as well as a <br />number of new gotchas we've encountered. We <br />believe that a good resolution to our difllculties <br />might be in using the work MnDOT has just <br />done. MnDOT has digitized all of the surface <br />water features from the 1:24,000 quads. With <br />the MIS Bureau taking the lead, we are <br />Pxamtntng the utility of their data for trout <br />streams identification, PWI and river <br />numbering. The early results aze quite <br />promising. We will know more about the <br />feasibility later this fall. <br />Other Related Matters <br />We have been working with Larry Kramka <br />(Marshall Area Office) and Bob Leibfried (Grand <br />Rapids) on what has been loosely called pilot <br />projects. The intent is to determine what data <br />and GI5 support services are required. to enable <br />DOW staff` to make the best use of GIS in its <br />current status. We are looking at the positive <br />and not-so-positive impacts of both ArcView <br />and EPPL7 software and data on doing. <br />meaningful work. While there aze many small <br />stories to tell, Larry Kramka is working with me <br />on a Waters School presentation regazding our <br />work on watershed issues in his area. • <br />Department of <br />Natural Resources <br />Division of Waters <br />O 1995 State of Minnesota, Department of Natural Resources <br />