Abstract

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Wisconsin Watershed Boundary Dataset Production
Track: Water Resources
Author(s): Milo Anderson, Cheryl Buchwald, Walt Rasmussen, Andy Bock, Joan Rogers

There is an effort underway to develop a seamless hydrologic boundary dataset for the United States called the Watershed Boundary Dataset (WBD). The dataset's goal is to subdivide the existing 8-digit HUC national layer into smaller management units, the 10-digit HUC and the 12-digit HUC. This work was begun for Wisconsin in 2004, relying on interagency cooperation between various federal agencies, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, several local planning commissions, and bordering states. The production of the WBD for Wisconsin involves using simulated catchment boundaries derived from DEMs as a guide for aggregating drainage basins at a specific size range, comparing the simulated boundaries with other available catchment linework, and finally digitizing on USGS topo maps using the catchment lines as guides. The linework is then ground-truthed based on coordination with officials most familiar with the landscape, resulting in an agreed-upon watershed GIS data layer that meets national standards.

Milo Anderson
U.S. EPA
Region 5
77 W. Jackson Blvd.
Chicago , IL 60604
US
Phone: 312-886-6096
E-mail: anderson.milo@epa.gov

Cheryl Buchwald
USGS
Water Resources Division
8505 Research Way
Middleton , IL 53562
US
Phone: 608-821-3873
E-mail: cabuchwa@usgs.gov

Walt Rasmussen
U.S. Forest Service
1170 South 4th Avenue
Park Falls , WI 54552
US
Phone: 715-762-5142
E-mail: wrasmussen@fs.fed.us

Andy Bock
U.S. EPA Region 5
Wetlands and Watersheds
77 W. Jackson Blvd.
Chicago , IL 60604
US
Phone: 312-353-8341
E-mail: bock.andy@epa.gov

Joan Rogers
U.S. EPA Region 5
Wetlands and Watersheds
77 W. Jackson Blvd.
Chicago , IL 60604
US
Phone: 312-886-2785
E-mail: rogers.joan@epa.gov