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Elevation-Derived Hydrography READ Rules: Connector

A known, but nonspecific, connection between two non-adjacent network segments. Connector feature types are used when two surface-water features appear to interact through a constructed feature but there is no discernable evidence of the interaction on the surface. A Connector feature is used to show the connection between the lake and the stream output through a dam (Figure 44).

Imagery and a map showing an example of a connector.
Figure 44. Oroville Dam, California, is an example of a Connector hydrographic feature. Source data are from the NHD (U.S. Geological Survey, 2020), which is used to provide examples of hydrographic feature types but may not have the same density and other characteristics of elevation-derived hydrography.

Delineation

The limit of Connector features is the virtual line connecting two nonadjacent network segments.

Representation Rules

Delineate features as points, lines, or polygons based on their area or length along different axes (Table 22).

Table 22. Connector Representation Rules.
Kind of feature object                                        Area Shortest Axis Longest Axis
0-dimensional (point) -- -- --
1-dimensional (line) -- greater than 0 --
2-dimensional (polygon) -- -- --
Special Conditions

If using the Connector feature for the purpose of connecting upstream and downstream
networks through an area with development or infrastructure, please see the Infrastructure Areas Special Case.

Data Extraction

Capture Conditions

If connector is required to maintain connectivity between two network feature objects that represent Canal/ditch, Lake/pond, Sea/ocean, or Stream/river,

then capture.

Attribute Information

FClass 1— Hydrography feature defined within the collection criteria of the elevation-derived hydrography specifications.
FCode 33400—Connector (a known, but nonspecific, invisible connection between two nonadjacent network segments).
EClass 3— Linear feature used for breaching.

OR

FClass 1— Hydrography feature defined within the collection criteria of the elevation-derived hydrography specifications.
FCode 33400—Connector (a known, but nonspecific, invisible connection between two nonadjacent network segments).
EClass 0— Not used to create elevation derivatives.

OR

FClass 2— Hydrography feature captured outside the collection criteria of the elevation-derived hydrography specifications.
FCode 33400—Connector (a known, but nonspecific, invisible connection between two nonadjacent network segments).
EClass 0— Not used to create elevation derivatives.

Source Interpretation Guidelines

The following conditions indicates when and why the capture of a Connector is required:

  • When a Connector is part of a connected network.
  • When there is a gap between network features for example, at a dam that causes a gap between an upstream Lake/pond and a downstream Stream/river.
  • When infrastructure or development is present and surface water connections are below ground or unable to be detected (see Special Case, Infrastructure Areas).
  • When two hydrographic features cross each other, but do not share water, a Connector shall be used to identify the smaller feature.
     
Imagery and a map showing an example of a connector.
Oroville Dam, California, is shown to provide an example of a connector hydrographic feature. Source data are from the National Hydrography Dataset (U.S. Geological Survey, 2020), which is used to provide examples of hydrographic feature types but may not have the same density and other characteristics of elevation-derived hydrography.
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