GIS for Surface Water: Using the National Hydrography Dataset enables scientists, managers, and students to analyze the vital surface waters of the United States by combining the ready-to-use powers of a comprehensive database of the nation’s waters and the ArcGIS platform for geographic data analysis and mapping. This book explains how the water that exists on the landscape has been translated into a computer database, and how data about the water, such as chemistry and fish habitat, is linked to this database. Furthermore, elevation data is also incorporated to produce watersheds at the micro and macro levels. This, along with climatic data, leads to the creation of water flow and velocity estimates for every segment in the 7.5-million-mile drainage network in the US. With the development of this complete water information system, the reader is poised to generate new knowledge of the behavior of surface water systems.

Making this all come to life is the application of the ArcGIS suite of geographic and network analysis tools. The book vividly demonstrates how the vast capabilities of ArcGIS can be easily applied to the National Hydrography Dataset and companion Watershed Boundary Dataset to reveal the intricate properties of complex water networks using a variety of GIS operations made simple through the use of ArcGIS. The reader will be able to input the National Hydrography Dataset and trace the path of water within minutes. With just a little more effort, the reader will be able to create enlightening flow-volume maps showing how much water flows through river systems. To help the reader understand the possibilities, many user stories have been included by experienced water analysts. The reader will also discover that these methods are applicable to the surface water systems of any nation by following a few basic principles outlined in the book.