Metadata for Watershed Boundary Dataset for Montana Metadata for Watershed Boundary Dataset for Montana

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Identification Information:

Citation:

Originator:

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service, National Geospatial Center of Excellence

Originator: U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)

Publication date: 02/04/2025

Title: Watershed Boundary Dataset for Montana

Publication place:: U.S. Geological Survey, National Geospatial Technical Operations Center, P.O. Box 25046, Denver, CO 80225
Publisher:: U.S. Geological Survey, National Geospatial Technical Operations Centere

Online linkage: https://ftpgeoinfo.msl.mt.gov/Data/Spatial/MSDI/HydrologicUnits

Larger Work Citation:

Originator: Montana State Library
Publication date: 02/24/2025
Title: Montana Watershed Boundaries - WEB SERVICE
Online linkage: https://mslservices.mt.gov/Geographic_Information/Data/DataList/datalist_Details.aspx?did={327de47e-c0dd-4b93-94d2-9ea63b12ebca}

Abstract:

The Watershed Boundary Dataset (WBD) is a comprehensive aggregated collection of hydrologic unit data consistent with the national criteria for delineation and resolution. It defines the areal extent of surface water drainage to a point except in coastal or lake front areas where there could be multiple outlets as stated by the "Federal Standards and Procedures for the National Watershed Boundary Dataset (WBD)" "Standard" (https://pubs.usgs.gov/tm/11/a3/). Watershed boundaries are determined solely upon science-based hydrologic principles, not favoring any administrative boundaries or special projects, nor particular program or agency. This dataset represents the hydrologic unit boundaries to the 12-digit (6th level) for the entire United States. Some areas may also include additional subdivisions representing the 14- and 16-digit hydrologic unit (HU). At a minimum, the HUs are delineated at 1:24,000-scale in the conterminous United States, meeting the National Map Accuracy Standards (NMAS). Higher resolution boundaries are being developed where partners and data exist and will be incorporated back into the WBD. WBD data are delivered as a dataset of polygons and corresponding lines that define the boundary of the polygon. WBD polygon attributes include hydrologic unit codes (HUC), size (in the form of acres and square kilometers), name, downstream hydrologic unit code, type of watershed, non-contributing areas, and flow modifications. The HUC describes where the unit is in the country and the level of the unit. WBD line attributes contain the highest level of hydrologic unit for each boundary, line source information and flow modifications.

The data was previously updated through the USGS National Hydrography Dataset (NHD) Program approximately annually. Data are available as a geodatabase with all HUC levels or as shapefiles subset by HUC level (2-digit, 4-digit, 6-digit, 8-digit,10-digit, 12-digit).

This dataset represents the Final Snapshot provided for download by the USGS on January 7, 2025. Find additional information on the USGS Watershed Boundary Dataset here: https://www.usgs.gov/national-hydrography/access-national-hydrography-products

Future watershed boundary updates will be completed with the USGS 3D Hydrography Program (3DHP): https://www.usgs.gov/index.php/3DHP

Purpose:

The intent of defining Hydrologic Units (HU) within the Watershed Boundary Dataset is to establish a base-line drainage boundary framework, accounting for all land and surface areas. Hydrologic units are intended to be used as a tool for water-resource management and planning activities particularly for site-specific and localized studies requiring a level of detail provided by large-scale map information. The WBD complements the National Hydrography Dataset (NHD) and supports numerous programmatic missions and activities including: watershed management, rehabilitation and enhancement, aquatic species conservation strategies, flood plain management and flood prevention, water-quality initiatives and programs, dam safety programs, fire assessment and management, resource inventory and assessment, water data analysis and water census.

Time period of content:

Calendar date: 02/04/2025
Currentness reference: Publication Date

Status:

Progress: Complete
Maintenance and update frequency: As needed

Access constraints: None

Use constraints:

The distributor shall not be held liable for improper or incorrect use of this data, based on the description of appropriate/inappropriate uses described in this metadata document. It is strongly recommended that this data is directly acquired from the distributor and not indirectly through other sources which may have changed the data in some way. These data should not be used at scales greater than 1:24,000 for the purpose of identifying hydrographic watershed boundary feature locations in the U.S.A. The NRCS should be acknowledged as the data source in products derived from these data. The Watershed Boundary Dataset is public information and may be interpreted by all organizations, agencies, units of government, or others based on needs; however, they are responsible for the appropriate application of the data. Federal, State, or local regulatory bodies are not to reassign to the Natural Resources Conservation Service any authority for the decisions they make. The Natural Resources Conservation Service will not perform any evaluations of these maps or purposes related solely to State or local regulatory programs. Photographic or digital enlargement of these maps to scales greater than that at which they were originally delineated can result in misrepresentation of the data. If enlarged, the maps will not include the fine detail that would be appropriate for mapping at the small scale. Digital data files are periodically updated. Files are dated, and users are responsible for obtaining the latest version of the data from the source distributor.

The Montana State Library Geographic Information Services 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:

Authoritative Data Team
U.S. Geological Survey, National Geospatial Technical Operations Center
P.O. Box 25046
Denver, Colorado 80225
Telephone: 1-888-ASK-USGS (1-888-275-8747)
E-Mail: https://answers.usgs.gov/
Contact instructions: Prefer contact by e-mail.

Point of contact:

Montana State Library
PO Box 201800
Helena, MT 59620-1800
Telephone: 406-444-5354
TDD/TTY telephone: Montana Relay 711
Fax: 406-444-0266
E-Mail: geoinfo@mt.gov

Data set credit:

Funding and support for the Watershed Boundary Dataset (WBD) were provided by the Natural Resources Conservation Service, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the United States Geological Survey. Representatives from the U.S. Geological Survey and Environmental Protection Agency contributed a substantial amount of time and salary towards quality review and updating of the dataset in order to meet the Federal Standards for Delineation of Hydrologic Unit Boundaries.

Data Quality Information:

Attribute accuracy report:: All attempts were made to verify 100% of the initially required attributes using 24K digital raster graphics (DRGs) as the base. Additional datasets, like the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) and NHD, may also have been used to verify attribution. The accuracy of this data is dependent on the level of detail of the source material and the interpretation procedures for capturing that source. Other sources and methods may have been used to create or update WBD data. In some cases, additional information may be found in the WBD Metadata table.
Logical consistency report:: Lines, polygons and nodes conform to topological rules. Lines intersect only at nodes, and all nodes anchor the ends of lines. Lines do not overshoot or undershoot other lines where they are supposed to meet. There are no duplicate lines. Lines bound polygons. Gaps and overlaps among polygons do not exist. All polygons close.
Completeness report:: The WBD contains completed polygons at every level for the United States. All required fields within the polygon and line datasets are populated. Some of these fields may be populated with a zero "0". The lines coincident with the international boundary are assigned a HULevel value of 0. These cannot be attributed until the adjacent international units are added at which point the highest level of hydrologic unit can be determined. A detailed description of delineation methods and full attribute definitions can be found in the WBD Standards. Users are advised to carefully read the metadata record for additional details.
Horizontal Positional Accuracy Report:: The WBD was produced using a variety of digital spatial data including but not limited to Digital Raster Graphics (DRGs), aerial imagery and digital elevation models (DEMs). It is assumed these data are mapped at approximately 1:24,000-scale and contain a minimum inherent error of /- 40 feet. It should be noted that the WBD is undergoing continuous updates as source data improves and as hydrologic interpretations are refined. While general rules of hydrology were used in delineation, locations of boundaries may be subjective in some cases. Additional information may be found in the WBD Metadata table.
Vertical positional accuracy report:: A formal accuracy assessment of the vertical positional information in the data set has either not been conducted, or is not applicable.

Spatial Data Organization Information:

Point and vector object information:

SDTS object type: GT-polygon composed of chains

SDTS object count: 115

Spatial Reference Information:

Horizontal coordinate system definition:

Map projection:

Map projection name: NAD 1983 2011 StatePlane Montana FIPS 2500
Lambert conformal conic:

Planar distance units: meter

Geodetic model:

Horizontal datum name: D NAD 1983 2011
Ellipsoid name: GRS 1980
Semi-major axis: 6378137.0
Denominator of flattening ratio: 298.257222101

Distribution Information:

Distributor:

Montana State Library
PO Box 201800
Helena, MT 59620-1800
Telephone: 406-444-5354
TDD/TTY telephone: Montana Relay 711
Fax: 406-444-0266
E-Mail: geoinfo@mt.gov

Resource description: Downloadable Data

Distribution liability: See access and use constraints information.

Standard order process:

Digital form:

Metadata Reference Information:

Metadata date: 02/04/2025

Metadata contact:

Authoritative Data Team
U.S. Geological Survey, National Geospatial Technical Operations Center
P.O. Box 25046
Denver, Colorado 80225
Telephone: 1-888-ASK-USGS (1-888-275-8747)
E-Mail: https://answers.usgs.gov/
Contact instructions: Prefer contact by e-mail.

Metadata use constraints:

The Montana State Library Geographic Information Services 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.