GIS IN USGS Water Research

Jim Kennedy & Cheryl Buchwald, USGS staff, at the GIS Day Expo at UW-Madison click for larger photo	Children enjoy learning about GIS at the USGS booth click for larger photo

GIS (Geographic Information Systems) are a tool used in many scientific disciplines, and are used in nearly all the water-resources research conducted by the USGS. The Wisconsin District office employs several geographers who specialize in GIS, as well as hydrologists and other scientists who regularly use GIS as a tool in their research.

Over 300 people attended the 2004 GIS Day Expo on the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus. The event took place on November 17, 2004 in the Memorial Union and was sponsored by the Department of Geography. The USGS Water Resources office was one of 35 departments, agencies and organizations that participated in the exhibition through GIS presentations, live demos, displays, map submissions and interactive activities. Through visiting with students and other interested attendees of all ages, USGS staffers were able to introduce the work we do that involves GIS and show examples of USGS information products that were created through the use of GIS.

USGS reports featuring GIS-based research

Numerical Simulation of Ground-Water Flow in LaCrosse County, Wisconsin, and into Nearby Pools of Mississippi

Simulation of Ground-Water Flow and Rainfall Runoff with Emphasis on the Effects of Land Cover, Whittlesey Creek, Bayfield County, Wisconsin, 1999-2001

An Alternative Regionalization Scheme for Defining Nutrient Criteria for Rivers and Streams

Useful GIS links

The National Map

geodata.gov

WisconsinView

Wisconsin Land INformation Clearinghouse

Wisconsin State Cartographer's Office

Wisconsin Dept. of Natural Resources