GIS for Surface Water: Using the National Hydrography Dataset enables scientists, managers, and students to analyze the vital surface waters of the United States by combining the ready-to-use powers of a comprehensive database of the nation's waters and the ArcGIS platform for geographic data analysis and mapping. This book explains how the water that exists on the landscape has been translated into a computer database, and how data about the water, such as chemistry and fish habitat, is linked to this database. Furthermore, elevation data is also incorporated to produce watersheds at the micro and macro levels. This, along with climatic data, leads to the creation of water flow and velocity estimates for every segment in the 7.5-million-mile drainage network in the US. With the development of this complete water information system, the reader is poised to generate new knowledge of the behavior of surface water systems.

Making this all come to life is the application of the ArcGIS suite of geographic and network analysis tools. The book vividly demonstrates how the vast capabilities of ArcGIS can be easily applied to the National Hydrography Dataset and companion Watershed Boundary Dataset to reveal the intricate properties of complex water networks using a variety of GIS operations made simple through the use of ArcGIS. The reader will be able to input the National Hydrography Dataset and trace the path of water within minutes. With just a little more effort, the reader will be able to create enlightening flow-volume maps showing how much water flows through river systems. To help the reader understand the possibilities, many user stories have been included by experienced water analysts. The reader will also discover that these methods are applicable to the surface water systems of any nation by following a few basic principles outlined in the book.

About the Author
Jeff Simley was the Hydrography Program Lead for the US Geological Survey from 2006 to 2015. During this time he headed a nationwide consortium of federal, state, and local agencies to pool hydrography data and resources into building and maintaining the National Hydrography Dataset. Prior to this, Jeff was the Assistant Hydrography Program Lead from 2000 to 2005. During the period from 1989 to 1999 Jeff was Program Manager for digital geospatial data for the Western United States at the US Geological Survey. Jeff started his career at the former Defense Mapping Agency in 1978 where he developed computer graphics for the Digital Landmass System until 1988. He received the Department of the Interior Meritorious Services Award in 1999 and the American Water Resources Association's David R. Maidment Award for Exemplary Contributions to Water Resource Data in 2012. Jeff was educated in Cartography at the University of Wisconsin, in Computer Science at Washington University, and Geographic Information Systems at the University of Denver. Jeff retired after 37 years of Federal service and resides in Lakewood, Colorado, with his wife, Mary.

Reviews

"Technical books like this are always at risk of losing relevancy after a time, but not this one. Such a storyline can never be trumped, because this book captures the framework and the essence of what digital hydrography is all about."

-- Pete A. Steeves, American Water Resources Association, Impact

-- Pete A. Steeves, American Water Resources Association * Impact *

"... highly recommend this book to anyone who wants or needs to use the NHD to study not only hydrography but also hydrology in the United States."

-- Huidae Cho, Photogrammetric Engineering & Remote Sensing

-- Huidae Cho * Photogrammetric Engineering & Remote Sensing *



Book Information
ISBN 9781589484795
Author Jeff Simley
Format Paperback
Page Count 488
Imprint ESRI Press
Publisher ESRI Press