““CalWater”CalWater”and The California and The California
Watershed Watershed Boundary Boundary DatabaseDatabase
Robyn Myers, Chair, CalWater Committee, Robyn Myers, Chair, CalWater Committee, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Davis, CANatural Resources Conservation Service, Davis, CA
Lorri Peltz-Lewis, Western States WBD Coordinator, Lorri Peltz-Lewis, Western States WBD Coordinator, US Bureau of Reclamation, Sacramento, CAUS Bureau of Reclamation, Sacramento, CA
Status Report January 2004Status Report January 2004
What is CalWater?What is CalWater? CalWater, the CalWater, the mapmap, is , is
the “official” the “official” California Watershed California Watershed dataset, delineating dataset, delineating hydrologic units on hydrologic units on the landscape.the landscape.
There have been 3 There have been 3 versions to date:versions to date: CalWater 1.0CalWater 1.0 CalWater 2.0CalWater 2.0 CalWater 2.2CalWater 2.2
CalWater, the CalWater, the committeecommittee, is the , is the Interagency Watershed Interagency Watershed Mapping Committee Mapping Committee formed a decade ago to formed a decade ago to plan, delineate, plan, delineate, manage and distribute manage and distribute the CalWater maps.the CalWater maps.
An MOU of State and An MOU of State and Federal Agencies Federal Agencies supports cooperative supports cooperative efforts.efforts.
CalWater 2.0CalWater 2.0 Current Version is Current Version is
CalWater 2.0 CalWater 2.0 completed in 1999completed in 1999
Four levels of Four levels of watershedswatersheds
California State California State System for naming System for naming and numberingand numbering
California California watershed hierarchy watershed hierarchy (differs from (differs from Federal)Federal)
History of Early Watershed History of Early Watershed Mapping Efforts in Mapping Efforts in
CaliforniaCalifornia 1978 USGS 1:500,000 National 1978 USGS 1:500,000 National
Hydrologic Unit Maps – small scale map Hydrologic Unit Maps – small scale map with large sub-divisions not well suited with large sub-divisions not well suited for local use.for local use. Watersheds were defined using an inter-Watersheds were defined using an inter-
agency standard developed by NRCS.agency standard developed by NRCS. 8-digit “HUCS” commonly used as 8-digit “HUCS” commonly used as
watersheds.watersheds. 1995 CDF digital watershed map of 1995 CDF digital watershed map of
California with administrative and California with administrative and political boundaries for legal reporting. political boundaries for legal reporting.
USGS Hydrologic Unit USGS Hydrologic Unit MapsMaps
1978 USGS published the National Hydrologic 1978 USGS published the National Hydrologic Unit Maps at 1:500,000 scale for each stateUnit Maps at 1:500,000 scale for each state 21 Regions were divided down to 2,149 “Cataloging 21 Regions were divided down to 2,149 “Cataloging
Units” Units” Each has it’s own “Hydrologic Unit Code” Each has it’s own “Hydrologic Unit Code” In California these are often referred to as 8-digit In California these are often referred to as 8-digit
HUCs.HUCs. Represented a Federal Interagency effort at the Represented a Federal Interagency effort at the
time.time. These maps are still available on-line from USGSThese maps are still available on-line from USGS Represents the “Federal System of Watershed Represents the “Federal System of Watershed
Delineation” and Watershed Hierarchy”Delineation” and Watershed Hierarchy”
CDF Initiates “CalWater”CDF Initiates “CalWater”
In 1995 Interagency Watershed Mapping In 1995 Interagency Watershed Mapping Committee used CDF’s 1995 digital Committee used CDF’s 1995 digital watershed map as a place to begin.watershed map as a place to begin.
CalWater 1.1 was delineated down to CalWater 1.1 was delineated down to 3,000-10,000 acres watersheds.3,000-10,000 acres watersheds.
State naming and numbering system, State naming and numbering system, and watershed size definitions were and watershed size definitions were completely different than the Federal completely different than the Federal System.System.
State Agencies Lead the State Agencies Lead the Development of “CalWater”Development of “CalWater”
DWR took over coordination of the DWR took over coordination of the CalWater effort resulting in CalWater CalWater effort resulting in CalWater Versions 2.0 and 2.2Versions 2.0 and 2.2 CalWater 2.0 CalWater 2.0 CalWater 2.2CalWater 2.2 Cross-walk to Federal Hydrologic Units in Cross-walk to Federal Hydrologic Units in
table data.table data. Interagency MOU created by the Interagency MOU created by the
Interagency Watershed Mapping Interagency Watershed Mapping (“CalWater”) Committee(“CalWater”) Committee
Federal Agencies Take Lead Federal Agencies Take Lead in CalWater Effort (1999)in CalWater Effort (1999)
USDA-NRCS and the USGS take lead USDA-NRCS and the USGS take lead Nationally for WBD – Watershed Nationally for WBD – Watershed Boundary DatabaseBoundary Database
USDA-NRCS and the USGS take lead in USDA-NRCS and the USGS take lead in California to lead the “CalWater” California to lead the “CalWater” interagency watershed mapping interagency watershed mapping committeecommittee To bring “CalWater” into compliance with To bring “CalWater” into compliance with
the FGDC standards for the National WBD – the FGDC standards for the National WBD – Watershed Boundary DatabaseWatershed Boundary Database
CalWater MOU AgenciesCalWater MOU Agencies
California Department of California Department of Water Resources (DWR)Water Resources (DWR)
California Department of California Department of Forestry and Fire Forestry and Fire Protection (CDF)Protection (CDF)
California Department of California Department of Fish and Game (DFG)Fish and Game (DFG)
State Water Resources State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB),Control Board (SWRCB),
U.S. Forest Service (USFS)U.S. Forest Service (USFS) U.S. Geological Survey U.S. Geological Survey
(USGS)(USGS) U.S. Environmental U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency (USEPA)Protection Agency (USEPA) U.S. Department of U.S. Department of
Agriculture Natural Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Resources Conservation Service (USDA-NRCS)Service (USDA-NRCS)
U.S. Bureau of Reclamation U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (USBR)(USBR)
U.S. Bureau of Land U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Management (BLM)
An Interagency CalWater MOU for the use, An Interagency CalWater MOU for the use, management, and maintenance of a common management, and maintenance of a common watershed map of California.watershed map of California.
The CalWater MOU is -The CalWater MOU is -
A commitment by all involved agencies to: A commitment by all involved agencies to: reference the CalWater delineations for reference the CalWater delineations for
resource management and planning studies; resource management and planning studies; for environmental assessment, analysis, and for environmental assessment, analysis, and
regulatory purposes; regulatory purposes; for presentations of resource information and for presentations of resource information and
interagency communications; interagency communications; and as the base for future mapping and and as the base for future mapping and
modeling activities related to watershed modeling activities related to watershed management.management.
CalWater 2.2 – The Official CalWater 2.2 – The Official California Watershed Map California Watershed Map
Version 2.2 completed in Version 2.2 completed in 1999 – Currently the 1999 – Currently the “official” data set“official” data set
Six levels of watersheds, Six levels of watersheds, down to the detailed down to the detailed Planning WatershedPlanning Watershed
California State System for California State System for naming and numberingnaming and numbering
California watershed California watershed hierarchyhierarchy
Cross-walked to Federal Cross-walked to Federal systemsystem
CalWater 2.2 HierarchyCalWater 2.2 Hierarchy
Watershed Level Watershed Level Sq Miles /Acres Sq Miles /Acres Hydrologic Region (HR) Hydrologic Region (HR) 12,735 sq miles / 12,735 sq miles /
8,150,000 acres8,150,000 acres Hydrologic Unit (HU) Hydrologic Unit (HU) 672 sq miles / 430,000 acres 672 sq miles / 430,000 acres Hydrologic Area (HA)Hydrologic Area (HA) 244 sq miles / 156,000 acres 244 sq miles / 156,000 acres Hydrologic Sub-Area (HSA)Hydrologic Sub-Area (HSA) 195 sq miles / 125,000 acres 195 sq miles / 125,000 acres Super Planning Watershed (SPWS)Super Planning Watershed (SPWS) 78 sq miles / 50,000 78 sq miles / 50,000
acresacres Planning Watershed (PWS)Planning Watershed (PWS) 5-16 sq miles / 3,000- 5-16 sq miles / 3,000-
10,00010,000
This Hierarchy and Naming/Numbering System is the California System – and does not correspond directly to the Federal System used in the WBD.
Problems with CalWater Problems with CalWater 2.22.2
Does not meet the FGDC watershed Does not meet the FGDC watershed boundary requirements for watershed boundary requirements for watershed delineation.delineation.
Contains administrative and political Contains administrative and political boundaries in watersheds.boundaries in watersheds.
It does not contain the Federal watersheds.It does not contain the Federal watersheds. Central Valley watersheds stop at 500 foot Central Valley watersheds stop at 500 foot
contour or geologic contact.contour or geologic contact.
But it is currently the “best (only) available But it is currently the “best (only) available data.”data.”
The National Watershed The National Watershed Boundary DatasetBoundary Dataset
Federal agencies coordinating spatial water data have Federal agencies coordinating spatial water data have identified the development of a National Watershed identified the development of a National Watershed Boundaries Data Set as a top priority for inclusion in the Boundaries Data Set as a top priority for inclusion in the National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI). National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI).
The proposed NSDI Watershed Boundaries Data Set will The proposed NSDI Watershed Boundaries Data Set will have the following key characteristics: have the following key characteristics: Nationally consistent digital data set Nationally consistent digital data set Nested subdivisions of established Cataloging Units Nested subdivisions of established Cataloging Units 5-15 Watersheds per Cataloging Unit 5-15 Watersheds per Cataloging Unit Boundaries based on 1:24,000-scale topographic maps Boundaries based on 1:24,000-scale topographic maps Hydrologically based watersheds, not political divisions Hydrologically based watersheds, not political divisions 10-digit Hydrologic Unit Codes 10-digit Hydrologic Unit Codes Formally established watershed names Formally established watershed names Attribute information to identify all upstream & Attribute information to identify all upstream &
downstream units downstream units
More About the WBDMore About the WBD Where watershed boundaries have not already been Where watershed boundaries have not already been
mapped using FGDC guidelines, new watershed mapped using FGDC guidelines, new watershed boundaries will be developed via local watershed boundaries will be developed via local watershed workshops, or where appropriate, using a semi-workshops, or where appropriate, using a semi-automated procedure based on elevation data from the automated procedure based on elevation data from the National Elevation Dataset. National Elevation Dataset.
The boundaries will be checked and edited using The boundaries will be checked and edited using 1:24,000-scale Digital Raster Graphics.1:24,000-scale Digital Raster Graphics.
The National Watershed Boundaries Data Set, the The National Watershed Boundaries Data Set, the National Elevation Dataset, and National Hydrography National Elevation Dataset, and National Hydrography Dataset inherently are related. Early maintenance Dataset inherently are related. Early maintenance efforts will seek to identify inconsistencies between efforts will seek to identify inconsistencies between these three data sets and use those inconsistencies to these three data sets and use those inconsistencies to help improve the quality of each national data set.help improve the quality of each national data set.
Difference between a Difference between a Watershed and a Watershed and a Hydrologic UnitHydrologic Unit
Classic WatershedClassic Watershed: is defined as “a land and water : is defined as “a land and water area that has all the surface drainage within its area that has all the surface drainage within its boundary converging to a single point.” (FGDC 2002)boundary converging to a single point.” (FGDC 2002) Once created, there will be remaining remnant Once created, there will be remaining remnant
areas, non-contributing area and diverted waters.areas, non-contributing area and diverted waters.
Hydrologic UnitsHydrologic Units: can be any drainage area : can be any drainage area “delineated to nest in a multi-level, hierarchical “delineated to nest in a multi-level, hierarchical drainage system … [and] can accept surface water drainage system … [and] can accept surface water directly from upstream drainage areas and indirectly directly from upstream drainage areas and indirectly from associated surface areas … to form a drainage from associated surface areas … to form a drainage area with a single or multiple outlet points.” (FGDC area with a single or multiple outlet points.” (FGDC 2002)2002)
Hydrologic UnitsHydrologic Units and and Classic WatershedsClassic Watersheds are the are the same only whensame only when their boundaries include all the source their boundaries include all the source area contributing surface area to a single defined area contributing surface area to a single defined outlet point. (FGDC 2002)outlet point. (FGDC 2002)
California Work on the California Work on the Watershed Boundary Watershed Boundary
Database (WBD)Database (WBD) California efforts with respect to the California efforts with respect to the
National Watershed Boundary Dataset National Watershed Boundary Dataset (WBD) (WBD) Following FGDC guidelines – hydrologically Following FGDC guidelines – hydrologically
correct watershedscorrect watersheds Nested watershed hierarchy (Federal Nested watershed hierarchy (Federal
System)System) Improves old USGS Hydrologic Unit MapsImproves old USGS Hydrologic Unit Maps
The WBD will be available nationally on The WBD will be available nationally on the National WBD website.the National WBD website.
National WBD ProcedureNational WBD Procedure
Review Procedure (FGDC Guidelines):Review Procedure (FGDC Guidelines): State Coordinator submit completed dataset State Coordinator submit completed dataset
(linework and names) to NCGC(linework and names) to NCGC Review Committee checks dataset (pass/fail)Review Committee checks dataset (pass/fail) Problems fed back to state until dataset Problems fed back to state until dataset
passes passes State makes final corrections and submits State makes final corrections and submits
dataset and FGDC metadatadataset and FGDC metadata Dataset accepted and integrated Dataset accepted and integrated Official release as National WBDOfficial release as National WBD
National WDB StatusNational WDB Status
Nov 2003
WBD New Names and WBD New Names and NumbersNumbers
Level 1 - Region – 2-digit HUCLevel 1 - Region – 2-digit HUC Level 2 - Subregion – 4-digit HUCLevel 2 - Subregion – 4-digit HUC Level 3 - Basin – 6-digit HUC (was "accounting unit") Level 3 - Basin – 6-digit HUC (was "accounting unit") Level 4 - Subbasin – 8-digit HUC (was "cataloging unit") Level 4 - Subbasin – 8-digit HUC (was "cataloging unit") Level 5 - Watershed – 10-digit HUC (was 11-digit in Level 5 - Watershed – 10-digit HUC (was 11-digit in
NRCS) NRCS) Level 6 - Subwatershed – 12-digit HUC (was 14-digit in Level 6 - Subwatershed – 12-digit HUC (was 14-digit in
NRCS) NRCS)
For local planning and mapping purposes, California plans to For local planning and mapping purposes, California plans to extend the watershed hierarchy down two more levels, to include extend the watershed hierarchy down two more levels, to include Levels 7 and 8. Levels 7 and 8.
This will require additional funding and commitment to complete.This will require additional funding and commitment to complete.
WDB HierarchyWDB HierarchyLevel Name Number Area (approx.)
California StateCodes Description
California Approx. Area
Level 1 Region 2 digit 180,000 sq miles115,193,577 acres
Level 2 Sub-region 4 digit 16,844 sq miles10,779,559 acres
Hydrologic Region 12,735 sq miles 8,150,000 acres
Level 3 Basin 6 digit(used to be "accounting unit")
10,600 sq miles6,783,622 acres
Hydrologic Units 672 sq miles 430,000 acres
Level 4 Sub-basin 8 digit(used to be "cataloging unit")
703-1,735 sq miles449,895 – 1,110,338 acres
Hydrologic Areas 244 sq miles 156,000 acres
Level 5 Watershed 10 digit (used to be 11 digit in NRCS)
63-391 sq miles40,000 to 250,000 acres
Hydrologic Sub-areas 195 sq miles 125,000 acres
Level 6 Sub-watershed 12 digit (used to 14 digit in NRCS)
16-63 sq miles10,000 to 40,000 acres
Super Planning Watershed 78 sq miles 50,000 acres
Level 7 Drainage 14 digit 15 sq miles10,000 acres
Planning Watersheds 5-16 sq miles 3,000-10,000
Level 8 Site 16 digit 1 sq mile650 acres
California acknowledges the need for local California acknowledges the need for local watersheds to delineate in more detail than watersheds to delineate in more detail than planned for by the National Guidelines. We planned for by the National Guidelines. We propose that propose that DrainageDrainage and and SiteSite levels be added levels be added to California's guidelines to allow for this local to California's guidelines to allow for this local detail.detail.
Watershed Delineation Watershed Delineation WorkshopsWorkshops
To move towards these goals, over the last To move towards these goals, over the last three years the CalWater committee has three years the CalWater committee has completed SEVEN Watershed Delineation completed SEVEN Watershed Delineation Workshops:Workshops:
Workshop 1: Portland (May - June 2001)Workshop 1: Portland (May - June 2001) Workshop 2: Sacramento (December 2001) Workshop 2: Sacramento (December 2001) Workshop 3: Fresno (March 2002) Workshop 3: Fresno (March 2002) Workshop 4: Shasta (June 2002) Workshop 4: Shasta (June 2002) Workshop 5: Reno (November 2002)Workshop 5: Reno (November 2002) Workshop 6: San Bernardino (March 2003)Workshop 6: San Bernardino (March 2003) Workshop 7: San Francisco Bay Area Workshop 7: San Francisco Bay Area
(August 2003)(August 2003)
Watershed WorkshopsWatershed Workshops
Have been held in Have been held in areas through-out areas through-out the statethe state
Invited local Invited local participation for participation for “hands on – heads “hands on – heads up” delineationup” delineation
Participants debate Participants debate and decide literally and decide literally “where to draw the “where to draw the line”line”
Watershed Workshops Watershed Workshops Draft Linework CompletedDraft Linework Completed
Delineation Workshops and Delineation Workshops and Draft Linework to DateDraft Linework to Date
Draft Watershed Delineations fromWorkshops throughAugust 2003.
DRAFT WBD Watersheds
AccomplishmentsAccomplishments
Seven workshops held throughout Seven workshops held throughout statestate
Most of the State has had a “first Most of the State has had a “first pass” delineationpass” delineation
In-kind donations of staff time, In-kind donations of staff time, equipment, hardware and software equipment, hardware and software from CalWater MOU agencies.from CalWater MOU agencies.
$ in funding from USGS, BLM, NRCS, $ in funding from USGS, BLM, NRCS, and USFSand USFS
2004 Work Plan2004 Work Plan Review Draft-lines completed in Workshops 1-6, Review Draft-lines completed in Workshops 1-6,
returned from Contractorreturned from Contractor Edit to get “on contour” and “on pour point”Edit to get “on contour” and “on pour point”
Complete editing and attributes for 4Complete editing and attributes for 4thth Level Watersheds Level Watersheds Submit for USGS/NRCS ReviewSubmit for USGS/NRCS Review Public Pre-Release to generate interest and fundingPublic Pre-Release to generate interest and funding
Train additional Committee Members in Delineation, Train additional Committee Members in Delineation, Review and Attribute DevelopmentReview and Attribute Development
Hold additional workshops for 5ths and 6Hold additional workshops for 5ths and 6thth
Complete review, editing and attributes for 5Complete review, editing and attributes for 5thth and 6ths and 6ths Submit for USGS/NRCS ReviewSubmit for USGS/NRCS Review Public Release of Completed California WBDPublic Release of Completed California WBD
Simultaneously seek funding to support Simultaneously seek funding to support these efforts.these efforts.
The Future CalWater 3.0The Future CalWater 3.0
The CalWater committee has agreed to The CalWater committee has agreed to use the WBD standards and watershed use the WBD standards and watershed linework in the next version of linework in the next version of “CalWater.”“CalWater.”
The CalWater 3.0 will be the WBD The CalWater 3.0 will be the WBD watershed delineations, with the watershed delineations, with the CalWater 2.2 names and numbers CalWater 2.2 names and numbers included in the attribute table.included in the attribute table.
CalWater 3.0 will require a lot of behind-CalWater 3.0 will require a lot of behind-the-scenes GIS work to complete.the-scenes GIS work to complete.
DeliverablesDeliverables WBD – Viewable version for review purposes via WBD – Viewable version for review purposes via
ArcIMS Image Server (Spring 2004)ArcIMS Image Server (Spring 2004) WBD – Level 4 pre-release after FGDC review (Fall WBD – Level 4 pre-release after FGDC review (Fall
2004?)2004?) WBD – available on National WBD website, and WBD – available on National WBD website, and
CaSIL (ETA – Early 2005)CaSIL (ETA – Early 2005) CalWater 3.0 – WBD linework with both Federal CalWater 3.0 – WBD linework with both Federal
WBD and California State watershed names and WBD and California State watershed names and numbers. (Late 2005)numbers. (Late 2005)
Web based Watershed map, clickable to find your Web based Watershed map, clickable to find your watershed by name and number. (2006)watershed by name and number. (2006)
Legacy data – CalWater 2.0 and 2.2 will continue Legacy data – CalWater 2.0 and 2.2 will continue to be available. (Currently on CaSIL)to be available. (Currently on CaSIL)
What Do We Need to Get What Do We Need to Get There?There?
Funding $$Funding $$ Staff time (i.e. $$)Staff time (i.e. $$) ArcSDE Server and Programmer ($$)ArcSDE Server and Programmer ($$) Updates and Maintenance of datasetUpdates and Maintenance of dataset Storage and distributionStorage and distribution Data StewardshipData Stewardship
Next Meeting: January 30Next Meeting: January 30thth, 2004 NRCS, , 2004 NRCS, Davis, CA Contact Robyn or Lorri!! Davis, CA Contact Robyn or Lorri!!
CalWater WebsiteCalWater Website More information can be More information can be
found at the CalWater found at the CalWater Watershed web site: Watershed web site: http://www.ca.nrcs.usda.gov/features/calwater
(Not to be confused with (Not to be confused with the Cal-Fed California the Cal-Fed California Bay-Delta Authority’s Bay-Delta Authority’s URL URL http://calwater.ca.gov).ca.gov)
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