Spatial Water Data Subcommittee Update to Coordination Group Wendy Blake-Coleman, EPA (Representing Tod Dabolt, EPA & Bob Pierce, USGS) October 16, 2012 Coordination Group Meeting

2 Purpose of the Subcommittee The ACWI and FGDC created the Subcommittee to assist the ACWI and FGDC to coordinate Federal and non-Federal interests in spatial water data, including: (1) facilitating the exchange of information and transfer of data; (2) establishing and implementing standards for quality, content, and transferability; and (3) coordinating the identification of requirements and the collection of spatial data to minimize duplication of effort where practicable and economical.

3 Agency Participants  Bureau of Land Management  Forest Service  National Weather Service  National Ocean Service  Natural Resources Conservation Service  Tennessee Valley Authority  U.S. Environmental Protection Agency  U.S. Geological Survey  U.S. Army Corps of Engineers  American Society of Civil Engineers  FEMA  Texas Water Development Board  National States Geographic Information Councils

4 Responsibilities of the Subcommittee Facilitate the coordination of organizations' activities related to spatial water data and the exchange of spatial water data, by formal and informal means. Facilitate the collection and compilation of information for spatial water data activities. Participate in consensus standards development and evaluation efforts of the private sector in the United States, by United Nations and by other international organizations, as appropriate.

5 Responsibilities of the Subcommittee, Cont’d. Identify ways in which the National Spatial Data Infrastructure can include scientifically sound and well documented spatial water data from many sources. Recommend any changes in the definition of spatial water data to more accurately describe its scope. Assist the ACWI and FGDC in establishing and publishing consensus standards and specifications for spatial water data, and recommend priorities for producing data sets.

6 Responsibilities of the Subcommittee, Cont’d. Assist in the development and adoption of common standards and definitions for data elements, data content, format, and accuracy for spatial water data for use by all Federal agencies and to encourage use by non-Federal organizations. Promote wide use of defined and published spatial data transfer standards for spatial water data. Facilitate technology transfer for the economic and efficient application of spatial water data for decision making and scientific understanding. Support higher-order or crosscutting activities established or recognized by the ACWI or FGDC. Encourage organizations to provide for the permanent preservation of historically valuable data.

7 Recent Meetings/Accomplishments  Current Status Subcommittee is challenged to hold meetings quarterly.  Accomplishments in 2011 The subcommittee focused on the following key items:  Coordination with A-16 activities  Continued involvement and guidance in the development and maintenance of key national water datasets: WBD, NHD, NHDplus, NED/EDNA.  Collaboration with Water Resource Consortium to develop Water One- Flow, portal to explore and access water resources information nationally  Understanding availability of monitored water data and development of geospatial accessibility framework using OGC standards  Emerging Issues  Co-chairmanship of SSWDSSWD

8 Weaving the National Hydrologic Geospatial Fabric Over the years, SSWD fostered collaboration by providing vision and guidance for the NHD, NHD+, WBD, NED. Future, focus on coordination & leveraging of data and tools. Convergence of these collective activities to maximize opportunities enable effective management of the Nation’s water resources.

9 99  This Surface Water Geospatial Framework enables …  NARS Lakesheds  CWA Vulnerable Waters Analyses  Watershed Plan Builder  Co-Occurrence of Impaired Waters and Federal Lands  And Many Other Applications … Source Water Areas for Drinking Water Nitrogen & Phosphorus Pollution Data Access Tool Incident Command Tool for Water (ICWater) Pesticide Risk Assessments USGS StreamStats, WaterSmart … National Fish Habitat Action Plan USFS Post fire debris flow hazards DOE Hydro Power Potential Analyses Stream Loads of Atmospheric Sulfur & Nitrogen Sedimentation Risks to Water Quality in Reservoirs National Estuary Program Mapper  And Many Other Applications … Source Water Areas for Drinking Water Nitrogen & Phosphorus Pollution Data Access Tool Incident Command Tool for Water (ICWater) Pesticide Risk Assessments USGS StreamStats, WaterSmart … National Fish Habitat Action Plan USFS Post fire debris flow hazards DOE Hydro Power Potential Analyses Stream Loads of Atmospheric Sulfur & Nitrogen Sedimentation Risks to Water Quality in Reservoirs National Estuary Program Mapper  OW has developed a robust set of tools, services, and custom analyses that apply this Framework to support integrated, cross-programmatic display and analysis.

10  Elevation  (30m)  Hydrologic Units  (HUC12)  Stream Network  NHDPlus provides the Surface Water Geospatial Framework Stream NetworkMap ScaleMap Accuracy Total Stream Miles (mi) # of Stream Segments Stream Segment Average Length (mi)# of Lakes Catchment Average Area (sq mi) Reach File Version 1 (RF1)1:500K+/- 254m600,00060,000104,10050 Medium Resolution NHD1:100k+/- 50m3,200,0002,600, , High Resolution NHD1:24K or better+/- 12m7,500,00020,000, ,000do not exist  NHDPlus catchments link the landscape to the stream network forming a ‘surface water geofabric’

11 Questions?