Abstract

US Drought Monitor Production - Process Modernized with ArcGIS 10
Track: Analysis
Authors: Calvin C Poulsen, Jeff Nothwehr, Jeff Nothwehr

The US Drought Monitor is a set of shapefiles produced weekly by a consortium of agencies and housed at the National Drought Mitigation Center in Lincoln, Nebraska. Weekly maps and statistics and derivative datasets are generated from this data using a variety of ageing tools. The process has become unstable and is inherently difficult to maintain or enhance.
ArcGIS 10 and Python were chosen as the replacement for this system. ArcGIS allowed us to model all of the necessary components and then easily scale them up to the production environment. Python scripting also allowed for the automation and enhancement of the map production process. The new system lets us leverage ArcSDE functionality to expand our statistical and spatial data products and services. The new system allows for better quality control and ease of expansion and eliminates much of the current compiled code, allowing more access for by specialized programmers.