What sources were used to produce the National Hydrography Dataset (NHD)?
The National Hydrography Dataset (NHD) is a combination of USGS hydrologic digital line graph (DLG) files and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reach files, version 3.0 (RF3). U.S. Forest Service Cartographic Feature Files (CFF) and USGS Tagged Vector Hydro (TVH) captured from 7.5-minute printed maps were also used.
Some states also contributed their own stream layer data to the compilation of the 1:24,000-scale NHD. The USGS files were used for spatial accuracy and the EPA files were used for attribute information.
Learn more: Hydrography Standards and Specifications
Related Content
How should I cite datasets and services from The National Map?
What is the positional accuracy of the National Hydrography Dataset (NHD)?
In what scale are the data in the National Hydrography Dataset (NHD)?
What formats are available for hydrography data products in The National Map?
How do I download hydrography data products?
User's guide for the national hydrography dataset plus (NHDPlus) high resolution
The National Hydrography Dataset Plus High Resolution (NHDPlus HR) is a scalable geospatial hydrography framework built from the High Resolution (1:24,000-scale or better) National Hydrography Dataset (NHD), nationally complete Watershed Boundary Dataset (WBD), and ⅓-arc-second (10-meter ground spacing) 3D Elevation Program (3DEP) digital...
Moore, Richard B.; McKay, Lucinda D.; Rea, Alan H.; Bondelid, Timothy R.; Price, Curtis V.; Dewald, Thomas G.; Johnston, Craig M.
Description of the National Hydrologic Model for use with the Precipitation-Runoff Modeling System (PRMS)
This report documents several components of the U.S. Geological Survey National Hydrologic Model of the conterminous United States for use with the Precipitation-Runoff Modeling System (PRMS). It provides descriptions of the (1) National Hydrologic Model, (2) Geospatial Fabric for National Hydrologic Modeling, (3) PRMS hydrologic simulation code...
Regan, R. Steven; Markstrom, Steven L.; Hay, Lauren E.; Viger, Roland J.; Norton, Parker A.; Driscoll, Jessica M.; LaFontaine, Jacob H.
NHDPlusHR: A national geospatial framework for surface-water information
The U.S. Geological Survey is developing a new geospatial hydrographic framework for the United States, called the National Hydrography Dataset Plus High Resolution (NHDPlusHR), that integrates a diversity of the best-available information, robustly supports ongoing dataset improvements, enables hydrographic generalization to derive alternate...
Viger, Roland J.; Rea, Alan H.; Simley, Jeffrey D.; Hanson, Karen M.
The National Map hydrography data stewardship: what is it and why is it important?
The National Hydrography Dataset (NHD) and Watershed Boundary Dataset (WBD) were designed and populated by a large consortium of agencies involved in hydrography across the United States. The effort was led by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)....
Arnold, Dave
Ground water: the hidden resource
Ground water is water underground in saturated zones beneath the land surface. Contrary to popular belief, ground water does not form underground "rivers." It fills the pores and fractures in underground materials such as sand, gravel, and other rock. If ground water flows from rock materials or can be removed by pumping from the saturated rock...
Vandas, Stephen; Farrar, Frank
Watersheds: where we live
We all live in a watershed. Animals and plants all live there with us. Everyone affects what happens in a watershed by how we treat the natural resources. So what is a watershed? It is the land area that drains water to a stream, river, lake, or ocean. Water travels over the Earth's surface across forest land, farm fields, pastures, suburban lawns...
Vandas, Stephen; Farrar, Frank
National Hydrography September 2019 Newsletter released
The USGS National Hydrography Dataset Newsletter, Vol. 18, No. 9, September 2019 has been released and posted for viewing.
NHD and WBD Map Services Moving to the Cloud
As part of an ongoing effort to improve performance and reliability for the suite of USGS Hydrography web-based map services, the USGS is migrating the National Hydrography Dataset and Watershed Boundary Dataset services to a Cloud location.
Exploring the Nation's waterways through the National Hydrography Dataset Plus
Interested in finding a good river to float down this hot summer? Or a favorite fishing hole? Ever wonder where those blue lines mapping the rivers, streams and lakes on the US Topo and other maps come from?
National Hydrography Dataset / Watershed Boundary Dataset Map Service Improvement
As part of an ongoing effort to improve the suite of hydrography web-based map services, the USGS will separate the services for the National Hydrography Dataset (NHD) and Watershed Boundary Dataset (WBD).
Lesson 15b: NHDPlus HR
This lesson will provide a brief overview of the National Hydrography Dataset, Watershed Boundary Dataset and 3D Elevation program. This lesson will also discuss NHDPlus and introduce NHDPlus high resolution and tell you how to get the data.
Alaska Mat-Su Watershed
This graphic shows the extent of the Mat-Su Watershed and displays the terrain and hydrography of the basin.
Watershed Boundary Dataset Map - Mississippi
Watershed Boundary Dataset Map - Mississippi
Hydrography Seminar Series - Session 9 (NHDPlus HR)
The USGS Hydrography Seminar Series shares success stories from users, provides information on the National Hydrography Dataset (NHD), Watershed Boundary Dataset (WBD), NHDPlus High Resolution (NHDPlus HR), and other related products, and provides a forum for users to learn more about hydrography-related topics. Seminar 9 is an overview of the NHDPlus HR.