Metadata for Relative Effective Annual Precipitation (REAP) for Montana and Yellowstone National Park, 1971-2000 Metadata for Relative Effective Annual Precipitation (REAP) for Montana and Yellowstone National Park, 1971-2000

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Identification Information:

Citation:

Originator: Natural Resources Conservation Service Montana State Office
Publication date: 05/08/2007
Title:: Relative Effective Annual Precipitation (REAP) for Montana and Yellowstone National Park, 1971-2000
Online linkage: http://mslapps.mt.gov/Geographic_Information/Data/nrcs/reap/

Abstract:

Relative Effective Annual Precipitation (REAP) values were developed for each Montana county and Yellowstone Park by the Natural Resources Conservation Service Montana State Office (NRCS). DAYMET precipitation data from the University of Montana were verified/adjusted to the 30-year precipitation data period from the National Water and Climate Center and then sensitized to the landscape according to slope and aspect. This was calibrated by soil scientists to known vegetation breaks on the landscape based on imagery, experience in assigned areas, and published SSURGO/NASIS soils data.

Purpose:

For display of relative effective precipitation values across Montana and input into decision processes that require knowledge of effective precipitation values.

Time period of content:

Beginning date: 1971
Ending date: 2000
Currentness reference: ground condition

Status:

Progress: complete
Maintenance and update frequency: Updates will be determined by availability of 10-meter DEMs.

Access constraints: none

Use constraints:

This data should be used for planning purposes only. This data set is provided "as-is" without warranty of any kind. The NRCS makes no representations or warranties whatsoever with respect to the accuracy or completeness of this data set and assumes no responsibility for the suitability of this data set for a particular purpose; and NRCS will not be liable for any damages incurred as a result of errors in this data set.

The Montana State Library provides this product/service for informational purposes only. The Library did not produce it for, nor is it suitable for legal, engineering, or surveying purposes. Consumers of this information should review or consult the primary data and information sources to ascertain the viability of the information for their purposes. The Library provides these data in good faith but does not represent or warrant its accuracy, adequacy, or completeness. In no event shall the Library be liable for any incorrect results or analysis; any direct, indirect, special, or consequential damages to any party; or any lost profits arising out of or in connection with the use or the inability to use the data or the services provided. The Library makes these data and services available as a convenience to the public, and for no other purpose. The Library reserves the right to change or revise published data and/or services at any time.

Point of contact:

Michael Hansen
Natural Resources Conservation Service Montana Office
10 East Babcock, Room 443
Bozeman, MT 59715-4704
Telephone: 406-587-6960
E-Mail: michael.hansen@mt.usda.gov

Data Quality Information:

Completeness report:

Data is available for all 56 Montana counties and Yellowstone Park. Edge-matching of data between counties and Yellowstone Park has been completed. Where available 10-meter DEMs were used, otherwise the REAP was developed using 30-meter DEMs, resampled to 10 meters. These areas will be updated periodically as additional 10-meter DEMs become available.

Lineage:

Source information:

Originator:: University of Montana Numerical Terradynamic Simulation Group (NTSG)
Title: DAYMET Daily Surface Weather Data
Online linkage: http://www.daymet.org/
Source scale denominator: 1 kilometer resolution data
Source contribution:: This data was used to provide the initial precipitation values that were then adjusted to 30-year averages.
Beginning date: 1980
Ending date: 1997

Source information:

Originator: NRCS National Water and Climate Center (NWCC)
Publication date: 10/04/2003
Title: Temperature and Precipitation Summary (TAPS)
Online linkage: ftp://ftp.wcc.nrcs.usda.gov/support/climate/taps/
Online linkage: http://www.wcc.nrcs.usda.gov/climate/foguide.html
Source contribution:: This data was used to expand the DAYMET period of coverage to 30 years from 18.

Source information:

Originator: U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) EROS Data Center
Publication date: 2007
Title: National Elevation Dataset
Online linkage: http://seamless.usgs.gov
Source contribution:: The 10-meter and 30-meter elevation data were used to derive slope and aspect which were incorporated in the model to adjust the precipitation for slope, aspect, and elevation.

Process step:

Adjust the DAYMET precipitation data using available TAPS and other precipitation station data to accommodate the 30 year data period used by the NRCS.

Process step:

Re-sample the adjusted and verified 1 km DAYMET to the 10 or 30 meter DEMs.

Process step:

Sensitize the adjusted data to the landscape to represent relative effective precipitation. Depending upon the geographic location and varying with degree of slope, actual precipitation for southerly aspects may be adjusted downward and northerly aspects may be adjusted upward, also varying on degree of slope. Neutral aspects (all slopes less than 15 percent as well as neutral compass points regardless of slope) were not adjusted up or down.