URL: www.nationalatlas.gov/hydrom.html COST: Free for download AGENCY: USGS FORMAT: Shapefile PROJECTION: Decimal degrees, NAD83

DESCRIPTION: This map layer portrays the streams and waterbodies of the United States (including Alaska and Hawaii) that can be represented at a map scale of 1:2,000,000 (one inch on a map at that scale would equal about 31.6 miles on the land surface). Some streams, ponds, lakes, and reservoirs are not portrayed at this scale. Names to all stream segments and water bodies for which official geographic names were available have been provided. The Streams and Waterbodies map layer was compiled by the U.S. Geological Survey from a variety of sources.

DOWNLOAD: Go to www.nationalatlas.gov/hydrom.html and click "Download this file in shapefile format". Click "Save this file to disk" and save it on your computer. It is zipped when downloaded in tar format.

METADATA: Metadata in FGDC format is also available at www.nationalatlas.gov/hydrom.html.

RESULTS: Shown is the hydrography layer for the continental U.S. The downloaded shapefile also cover Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico. Also shown is a closer picture of Connecticut showing various water features in shades of blue (lake, reservoir, stream, canal) and bay, estuary, and ocean in tan. Notice the coarseness of the level of mapping. A final image is shown of Connecticut, with the hydrogaphy layer shown on top of the NLCD land cover. The hydrography polygons are outlined in heavy black. Notice the amount of "blue" on the land cover map that is not shown on the hydrography layer.

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