Wisconsin Coastal GIS Applications Project

The Status of Digital Soils Mapping in Wisconsin's Lake Michigan CoastalCounties

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 -- Introduction

Chapter 2 -- Soil Survey Geographic Database

Chapter 3 -- Estimated Costs of Completion for Counties Not Scheduled for SSURGO

Chapter 4 -- SEWRPC Soils Data

Chapter 5 -- Sources

Appendix A -- SSURGO Soils Data

Appendix B -- Soils Coverage Status for Lake Michigan Coastal Counties

Authors

Principal Investigators

Allen H. Miller
University of Wisconsin Sea Grant Institute
and
Land Information and Computer Graphics Facility, University of Wisconsin-Madison

This research was conducted as part of an agreement between the Universityof Wisconsin-Madison and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Detroit Districtunder the supervision of David Barilovich.

Chapter 1. Introduction

Click here to view a Lake Michigan Counties soils inventory map.

Chapter 2. Soil Survey Geographic Database

SSURGO spatial data is based on maps from digital orthophoto quarter-quadrangles (DOQQ) and are collected and archived in 7.5 minute quadrangle units. Soils spatial data are digitized from maps that meet the National Map Accuracy Standards or the proposed U.S. National Cartographic Standards for Spatial Accuracy. In addition, the spatial data meet the NRCS Standards and Specifications for digitizing and are given a final review by the National Cartographic and GIS Center.

Overall mapping scales range from 1:12000 to 1:63630, however the scale for new surveys is done between 1:12000 and 1:24000. The most detailed soils maps are compiled at 1:12000 (5.3"=1 mile), 1:15840 (4"=1 mile), and 1:20000 (3.2"=1 mile) scales. The smallest map units used for soils classification range from 2-10 acres in size.

Accompanying the spatial data is a tabular soil property and interpretations relational database, the Map Unit Interpretation Record (MUIR). MUIR gives the proportionate extent of the component soils and their chemical and physical properties for each map unit. Additional information in the MUIR database include salinity, erodibility factors, flooding, water table depth, soils rating, hydric properties, bedrock, building site development, habitat suitability, and potential production yields. As such they are an excellent source for determining erodible areas and developing erosion control practices, for reviewing site development proposals and land use potential, and for making land assessments.

Chapter 3. Estimated Costs of Completion for Counties Not Scheduled for SSURGO

Cost estimates for Marinette and Oconto Counties based on estimates for completing DOQQ coverage and on the above estimates are as follows:

Marinette County

Estimated cost of completing DOQQ production for Marinette Co. (see DOP Estimated Completion Costs section ): $269,280
Estimated cost for completing SSURGO for the 142 quarter-quads of Marinette Co.: $144,000-162,000.00
Estimated Total Cost: $413,280-431,280.00

Oconto County

Estimated cost of completing DOQQ production for Oconto Co. (see DOP Estimated Completion Costs section ): $183,60
Estimated cost for completing SSURGO for the 108 quarter-quads of Marinette Co.: $108,000-121,500.00
Estimated Total Cost: $291,600-305,100.00

Mr. Lubich also mentioned that cost-sharing of NRCS projects is normally done on aone-half cost share of project expenses.

Chapter 4. SEWRPC Soils Data

Chapter 5. Sources

Appendix A. SSURGO Soils Data

Format:
SSURGO data is available from the NRCS in USGS Digital Line Graph-3 format or Arc/INFO exchange format. MUIR is a relational database format ASCII file and is normally distributed on CD-ROM or downloaded from the NRCS website.

SSURGO data is collected and archived in 7.5 minute Quadrangle units.

Scale:
Maps are made at scales ranging from 1:12,000 to 1:63,360. Typical scales are 1:15,840 (4"=1 mile), 1:20,000 (3.2"=1 mile) and 1:24,000 (2.6"=1 mile). Smallest map units range from 2-10 acres in size.

Projection and Coordinate System:
Universal Transverse Mercator, coordinates from NAD83, reference system based on GRS80. Map units in meters. No x-ycoordinate shifts (offsets).

Accuracy:
Spatial data meet NRCS Standards and Specifications for Digitizing.Digitized data are made from maps that meet that National Map Accuracy Standards or the Proposed US National Cartographic Standards for SpatialAccuracy. Mapping bases are orthophotoquads.

Certified soil data have passed a 100% state edit and have been certifiedto be an accurate representation of the published or revised soil survey.A final review is done by the National Cartographic and GIS Center.

Content:
MUIR database contains information on map unit acreage and the extent of the components in each map unit.Soils property and interpretation data are also contained for each map unit component.

Availability:
Certified data for Wisconsin is currently available (as of June 1, 1999) for the following counties: Barron, Brown, Calumet, Clark, Dodge, Door, Fond Du Lac, Forest, Green, Jackson, Jefferson, Lincoln, Manitowoc, Marathon, Oneida, Pepin, Portage, Rock, St. Croix, Shawano, Sheboygan and Vilas (Status Map).

Data access:
Public domain access. Ordering information is available from the NRCS website.

Appendix B. Soils Coverage Status for Lake Michigan Coastal Counties

Last modified by David Hart on June 1, 1999