Federal standards and procedures for the National Watershed Boundary Dataset (WBD)

U.S. Geological Survey and U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service

Abstract:

The Watershed Boundary Dataset (WBD) is a comprehensive aggregated collection of hydrologic unit data consistent with the national criteria for delineation and resolution. This document establishes interagency guidelines, standards, and procedures for creating the WBD as seamless and hierarchical hydrologic unit data, based on topographic and hydrologic features at a 1:24,000 scale in the United States, except for Alaska at 1:63,360 scale, and 1:25,000 scale in the Caribbean. The data within the WBD are reviewed for certification through the 12-digit hydrologic unit against compliance to the criteria outlined in this document. Although not required as part of the framework WBD, the guidelines contain details for compiling and delineating the boundaries of two additional levels, the 14- and 16-digit hydrologic units, as well as the use of higher resolution base information to improve delineations. The guidelines presented herein are designed to enable local, regional, and national partners to consistently and accurately delineate hydrologic units. Such consistency improves watershed management through efficient sharing of information and resources and by ensuring that digital geographic data are usable with other related Geographic Information System (GIS) data. Terminology, definitions, and procedural information are provided to ensure uniformity in hydrologic unit boundaries, names, and numerical codes. Detailed standards and specifications for data are included. The document also includes discussion of objectives, communications required for revising the data resolution in the United States and the Caribbean, as well as final review and data-quality criteria. Instances of unusual landforms or artificial features that affect the hydrologic units are described with metadata standards. Up-to-date information and availability of the hydrologic units are listed at http://www.ncgc.nrcs.usda.gov/products/datasets/watershed/.

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USGS Numbered Series

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97404

Citation Author:

U.S. Geological Survey and U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service

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U.S. Geological Survey

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Second Edition 2011; First Edition (2009)

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ENGLISH

Citation Larger Work Title:

Chapter 3 of Section A, Federal Standards; Book 11, Collection and Delineation of Spatial Data

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Citation Phsyical Description:

ix, 56 p.; Appendices; (1 ed.; vi, 55 p.)

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Citation Publisher:

U.S. Geological Survey

Citation Series:

Techniques and Methods

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Citation Series Number:

11-A3

Citation Search Results Text:

Federal standards and procedures for the National Watershed Boundary Dataset (WBD); 2011; TM; 11-A3; Chapter 3 of Section A, Federal Standards; Book 11, Collection and Delineation of Spatial Data; U.S. Geological Survey and U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service