Blake A Draper

Biography

My work is primarily client-side, developing web apps in Javascript/Typescript and the Angular framework. I also work on system administration and technology infrastructure maintenance for the WIM team. Much of my work requires configuring server environments and preparing GIS data for use in web services.  My professional goal is to create useful, intuitive data visualization and data management products that advance and promote USGS science.

Some of the applications I have worked on or authored:

USGS Flood Event Viewer (FEV):  FEV is the public data viewer for STN, which is the flood event database for the USGS. The STN database contains data for short-term sensors, flood peak summaries, and high-water marks related to coastal and riverine flood events. During a storm event, USGS field staff use the STNWeb application to deploy and retrieve short-term sensors collecing data on water levels, wave heights, barometric pressure, and other other metrics. Additional data, including storm surge, wave height analysis, and site photos are uploaded and stored as post-storm conditions allow for data retrieval and processing. Some sensors all for public facing map applications that display real-time stream flow and tidal data. The STN applications consist of STNWeb, a data managment system used by USGS field staff, the Flood Event Viewer or FEV, a data viewer for public use, STN web services, and a public data download portal. The STN application suite unifies the data stream for collection and dissemination of critical flood conditions data used across the USGS and other Federal agencies.      

USGS Flood Inundation Mapper (FIM): Combines flood inundation map libraries with real-time USGS river-level data and National Weather Service flood forecasts into a powerful tool that helps communicate when and where flooding may occur and better inform local responses that can protect lives and property. 

NorEaST: Stream data are needed to enable managers to understand baseline conditions, historic trends, and potential impacts of climate change on stream temperature and flow, and in turn on aquatic species in freshwater ecosystems. NorEaST aggregates steam temperature data from the northeastern and midwestern U.S. into an online map interface linked to temperature datasets.

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Coastal Barrier Resources System Mapper: In response to Hurricane Sandy, FWS has made an interactive Coastal Barrier Resources System (CBRS) Mapper available to the public. The mapper can be used to help property owners, local, State, and Federal stakeholders, and the public determine whether or not properties or project sites may be affected by CBRA. The Coastal Barrier Resources System (CBRS) boundaries depicted in the mapper are representations of the controlling CBRS boundaries, which are shown on the official CBRS maps. The boundaries depicted in the mapper are not to be considered authoritative for in/out determinations close to a CBRS boundary (i.e. the area depicted within the “CBRS Buffer Zone”).