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NSSH Part 647
Soil Map Development
Definition and Purpose (647.00)
Soil map development includes activities related to the preparation and completion of maps for soil
survey. The purpose is to provide current and accurate soil maps (digital and analog) and related
products to users. Four functional areas describe the major cartographic procedures: imagery acquisition,
map compilation, digital data capture, and map finishing.
- Imagery Acquisition
Field mapping in soil survey relies on
aerial photography as base imagery. Publications and SSURGO development use orthophotography where
it is available. Generally about two years before the start of the soil survey, the memorandum of
understanding initiates the acquisition of imagery for mapping and publication.
Part 647.02 explains
acquisition of imagery.
- Map Compilation
Map compilation is the accurate transfer of map information from soil
survey field sheet imagery to publication imagery or map bases for digitizing, and the accurate
conversion or correlation of soil map unit symbols and features to approved legends.
Standard compilation techniques encourage precise transfer of information from soil survey field
sheets to approved map bases for digitizing and map finishing.
- Digital Data Capture
Digital data capture or digitizing is the process of converting information
shown on analog maps into digital form for computer processing. Mapping on hard copy aerial photography,
subsequently compiling to orthophotography, and hand- or scan- digitizing are avoided if at all possible. Field
mapping is done using electronic media and on-screen digitizing as much as possible to avoid these extra steps.
This part establishes digital standards and specifications for the digital soil survey map component
of the Soil Survey Geographic (SSURGO) database.
- Map Finishing
Map finishing is the final transfer of line work and text to a product ready
for press negatives.
Policy and Responsibilities (647.01)
- Policy
- The publication scale for new and updated soil surveys is 1:12,000 or 1:24,000. Alaska
for 1:25,000 and the Caribbean for 1:20,000 are excepted.) Other scales require approval
by the Director, Soil Survey Division, of the Natural Resources Conservation Service.
- All new and updated soil surveys are to be digitized and SSURGO certified.
- The publication format for a map is 3.75 minute or 7.5 minute quadrangle. Soil maps for
publication of new and updated soil surveys rely on digital map finishing. This process captures
all correlated map features in the publication in a digital format.
- An approved and signed memorandum of understanding for the soil survey area must be on file
at the NRCS National Soil Survey Center, Lincoln, Nebraska, and the NRCS National Cartography
and Geospatial Center, Fort Worth, Texas, before processing a request to order imagery.
Part
606.01(a)(5) and Exhibits 606-1 and
606-2 provide additional information on the memorandum of
understanding.
- Soil surveys use the definitions and applications of soil survey features on NRCS-SOI-37A
in Exhibit 627-5. Definitions of ad hoc features are the responsibility of the MLRA regional
office.
- Responsibilities
- The Federal Geographic Data Committee and the Office of Management and Budget
formally assigned the responsibility for national coordination of digital soil data to the NRCS.
Refer to Office of Management and Budget Circular A-16, for more information.
- The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has the Federal responsibility
for the National Cooperative Soil Survey and Federal leadership for:
- collecting, storing, maintaining, and distributing soil information on privately owned
lands in the United States. These activities include
- preparing compilation bases for digitizing and map finishing
- performing the quality assurance of soil survey maps, and
- preparing map materials for publication.
- NRCS also has the lead Federal responsibility in collecting, archiving, and distributing
the Soil Survey Geographic (SSURGO) database.
- The MLRA soil survey office is responsible for:
- achieving an exact or acceptable join as described in the NSSH 609.03 and specified in
the memorandum of understanding,
- supervising map compilation (or coordinate with dedicated map compilation units if
established) in preparation for digitizing and publication as described in NSSH part 647,
- quality control of map compilation activities (100% check),
- quality control of all phases (soil business) of soil surveys,
- initiating documentation on discrepancies of joins, and
- the total scientific quality, including accuracy, completeness, and logic, of all soil
survey maps in the soil survey area.
Part 609.05 provides additional information.
- The MLRA regional office is responsible for:
- assuring all aspects of active soil survey projects,
- assuring that exact or acceptable joins are achieved as specified in the memorandum
of understanding,
- performing correlation activities in a manner that will lead to a seamless coordinated
soil survey throughout MLRAs and between MLRAs,
- assuring the definitions of ad hoc features,
- approving all correlation documents, including amendments to previously correlated surveys,
in coordination with the appropriate state conservationist,
- assuring the quality of all map compilation/recompilation/digitizing through a 10% check
and certification (a locally administered certification process may be established where
dedicated compilation units exist),
- informing states of any deficiencies in work submitted for review. Assisting states with
the resolution of these problems,
- assuring the quality of soil databases and tables,
- assisting states in the preparation of metadata,
- coordinating with states as needed for delivery of all map materials, soil data, and metadata
to the digitizing unit for processing,
- coordinating and providing quality assurance for products of map digitizing and finishing,
- coordinating the certification letter with digitizing units and appropriate state
conservationists,
- initiating plans for completing an exact join between soil surveys that do not have an
exact join.
- The state office is responsible for:
- obtaining all map materials needed in the state to perform map compilation/recompilation
activities, including those needed for a check of joins with other survey areas,
- coordinating with MLRA soil survey offices in the state concerning the flow of map compilation
work,
- determining priorities for soil survey areas to be digitized within each state,
- identifying and working with organizations outside of NRCS that can help us achieve our
digitizing goals and coordinating with digitizing units, digital map finishing sites, and MLRA
regional offices concerning these activities,
- deploying sufficient staff to achieve agreed upon goals for the digitizing initiative,
- reviewing joins with surrounding surveys and making corrections in coordination with the
MLRA regional office to achieve an exact join for recompilation of existing surveys,
- supervising recompilation (or coordinating with dedicated map compilation units if established),
- quality control of map recompilation activities (100% check),
- initiating correlation amendments/supplements through the MLRA regional office as needed
for recompiled soil surveys,
- preparing and providing metadata for all compiled/recompiled surveys from the state which are
submitted to digitizing units (through the MLRA regional office) for digitizing,
- certifying and downloading soil tabular data for SSURGO for all compiled/recompiled surveys
from the state which are submitted to digitizing units (through the MLRA regional office) for
digitizing,
- after passing digitizing quality control and quality assurance checks: certifiying SSURGO and
archiving to the Soil Data Warehouse,.
- archiving certified SSURGO to the Soil Data Warehouse, at which time it is automatically publicly
distributed via the Soil Data Mart, Web Soil Survey, and Geospatial Data Gateway.
- In-house distribution of SSURGO among NRCS field offices,
- providing to a digital map finishing site all layers for publication in digital format compatible
with digital map finishing processes.
- Digitizing units are responsible for:
- coordinating compilation/recompilation and soil business activities with states and MLRA
regional offices to ensure an orderly flow of work for all soil surveys which are to be digitized
by the unit,
- performing certification review of submitted materials,
- notifying MLRA regional offices of any problems discovered during certification review which
require action by the MLRA regional office or states prior to certification,
- digitally capturing compiled map materials including scanning soil lines, labeling, edge
matching, and digitizing linear and point features,
- performing quality control of final digital data including spatial (100 % hardcopy check
plot review by producing mylar check plots), tabular, and metadata,
- coordinating with the MLRA regional office to obtain a SSURGO (Exhibit 647-5) letter from
the state conservationist of the state whose survey is digitized, and
- exporting the spatial data to the staging server
- Digital map finishing sites are responsible for:
- electronically preparing soil survey maps for negative preparation by the National Cartographic
and Geospatial Center,
- coordinating soil business activities with states and MLRA regional offices to ensure and
orderly flow of work for all soil surveys which are to be map finished at the site, and
- performing quality control with 100 percent edit.
- The National Cartography and Geospatial Center is responsible for:
- providing training in SSURGO quality assurance activities,
- providing technical assistance to states, MLRA regional offices, and digitizing units in
spatial, tabular and metadata development to meet SSURGO specifications,
- assisting digitizing units with error
resolutions to successfully import spatial data to
staging server,
- assisting states with resolving problems related
to committing SSURGO datasets to the Soil Data
Warehouse,
- communicating changes/updates and enhancements
to SSURGO standards, certification routines and
procedures,
- performing 10% quality review of SSURGO
materials (spatial layer and metadata) documenting
SSURGO spatial and tabular discrepancies, and
forwarding findings to digitizing units, MO office,
and other digital capture entities,
- developing and updating map compilation and
digitizing techniques and standards,
- coordinating and implementing software updates
to reflect changes in standards,
- providing digital map finishing processes,
procedures, and training to offices conducting
digital map finishing,
- archiving, distributing certified SSURGO and
Digital General Soil Map data (Gateway and
Electronic Media),
- developing and maintaining SSURGO and other
geospatial standards, protocols, specifications and
training,
- migrating new data set boundaries into the Soil
Data Warehouse,
- updating SSURGO status map on the Soil Data
Mart,
- developing and providing Digital Map Finishing
processes, standards, protocols, specifications and
training,
- performing 10% quality assurance review of
digital map finishing materials,
- coordinating and implementing geospatial
software updates to reflect changes in standards and
specifications.
- The National Soil Survey Center is responsible for:
- developing standards, guidelines, and procedures for all aspects of soil survey work, soil
map development, and SSURGO certification,
- developing and applying geographic information systems for use with soil survey activities;
and
- developing, maintaining, and improving soil survey geographic databases.
- providing technical assistance in population of the NASIS database.
- The Soil Survey Division is responsible for:
- reviewing and monitoring the SSURGO development process,
- issuing policy,
- coordinating with states, MLRA regional offices, National Cartography and Geospatial Center,
and National Soil Survey Center on soil survey compilation, digitizing, and map finishing
issues.
Imagery (647.02)
- Initiation of Imagery Acquisition
Acquisition of imagery for mapping and publication of soil surveys begins about
2 years before fieldwork is to begin. It starts with a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the Natural
Resources Conservation Service and the State and local governments, universities, or other cooperating
entities. For more information about the memorandum of understanding, see
part 606. Responsibilities and
intentions towards digitizing and map finishing are part of a soil survey area MOU or an amendment to an MOU.
- To acquire imagery for an initial soil survey:
- The MLRA Region-wide memorandum of understanding, approved by the Director, Soil Survey Division,
must be on file at the National Soil Survey Center and the National Cartography and Geospatial Center.
Optional memoranda of understanding for intial soil surveys and for update soil surveys that require
extensive revision may also be on file. Refer to
part 606.01.
- Use the on-line NCGC Ordering System at http://www.ftw.nrcs.usda.gov/ncgcos
to acquire imagery from the National Cartography and Geospatial Center. The ordering systen was
developed to streamline the process of ordering products and services from NCGC. The NCGC Ordering
System replaces the Carto-19. Items such as imagery and orthophotography, map compilation materials,
publication of soil survey products, SSURGO and digital map finishing standards, and status graphics
are available throughthe on-line ordering system
- To acquire imagery for a soil survey update:
- Send a written request to the National Soil Survey Center from the MLRA regional office and
the state conservationist for approval to update a published soil survey. The Soil Survey Division
responds by letter to requests to update National Cooperative Soil Survey projects.
- Obtain Division approval before making any agreements that bind the Natural Resources Conservation
Service with State or local governments, universities, or other potential cooperators.
- Use the National Cartography and Geospatial Center on-line ordering system at
http://www.ftw.nrcs.usda.gov/ncgcos for acquisition
and preparation of the imagery after approvals and agreements are complete.
- Delivery Time Schedules of Imagery
- Aerial Photography – Order aerial photography for field mapping from
the National Cartography and Geospatial Center. Allow 4 to 6 months for delivery to the field office.
- Digital Orthophotography – Order digital orthophotography
from the National Cartography and Geospatial Center. Allow a minimum 13 months for delivery of a soft copy of
the digital orthophotography and 16 months for a hard copy reproduction.
- Imagery Acquisition Assistance
- The National Cartography and Geospatial Center (NCGC) assists states to acquire aerial
photography and orthophotography. This assistance is available whether funding is from the states or by
the Soil Survey Division. The NCGC will:
- Provide information on imagery availability
- Order imagery
- Inspect imagery to ensure quality and coverage
- Provide digital orthophoto quadrangles on hardcopy
- Duplicate digital orthophoto quarter-quadrangles on CD-ROM media.
- Archiving
- Aerial Photography – The National Cartography and Geospatial Center does not archive
aerial photography. The Federal Records Center, Fort Worth, Texas archives the designated official field
sheets after the survey is published.
- Digital Orthophotography – The National Cartography and Geospatial Center retains
copies of all orthophotography acquired for use in the National Cooperative Soil Survey program. Reproductions
of archived digital orthophotography are available upon request the National Cartography and Geospatial Center
on-line ordering system at http://www.ftw.nrcs.usda.gov/ncgcos.
- Preparation of Maps and Mapping Material
- Index to Field Map Sheets – The National Cartography and Geospatial Center prepares an index to map
sheets for ordered photography. The format of this index to map sheets corresponds with indexes prepared
for publication of the soil survey.
The National Cartography and Geospatial Center includes a title block and special notes to aid the
user in interpreting the information on the index to map sheets.
- Field Mapping Material – Field mapping material can include aerial photography on paper or film positives.
Aerial photography is available at publication scale.
- Publication Index to Detailed Map Sheets – The National Cartography and Geospatial Center prepares an
index to map sheets for orthophotography ordered for publication of soil surveys. Copies of the index accompany
the compilation material sent to the state office.
The Center stores the original index to map sheets with the halftone negatives and use them to prepare the
index to map sheets for the publication of the soil survey. The Center prepares a press ready index when they
receive the request for index maps via the National Cartography and Geospatial Center on-line ordering system
at http://www.ftw.nrcs.usda.gov/ncgcos This occurs before
completion of the final publication negatives.
- Publication Compilation Material – The National Cartography and Geospatial Center prepares compilation
material for publication of the soil survey. Compilation material may include:
- Photobase positive – a halftone film reproduction made from the halftone negative. The
NCGC punch registers the photobase positive with the halftone negative, using a Hulen punch
registration system. When the soil survey boundary coincides with state, county, or national boundaries,
the Center draws these boundaries using information from topographic quadrangles. If the limit of the
soil survey does not coincide with boundaries on the topographic quadrangles, the ordering office must
draft the boundaries on the topographic quadrangles and supply them to the National Cartography and
Geospatial Center along with the request for ordering mapping and publication material. The proper
location of the soil survey area boundary ensures adequate coverage of the publication material and
proper placement of the boundary on the photobase positives. Add join notes and grid coordinate values
to the photobase positives as needed.
- Mylar
- Envelopes
- Index to map sheets
- Acetate
The National Cartography and Geospatial Center
considers the positive, index to map sheets, and
envelopes as a complete set of publication compilation
materials.
Compilation (647.03)
- Memorandum of Understanding
The memorandum of understanding describes who will perform the map compilation,
digitizing, and map finishing of the soil survey. This document also identifies the map scale, publication
format, the minimum size delineation to be mapped, and the publication due date. If a significant change is
made to the work or work area, the originator of the memorandum of understanding prepares an amendment to the
memorandum of understanding. See part 606 for more information.
- Classification and Correlation Document
The classification and correlation document identifies all approved map information
that will appear in the publication. It provides a conversion legend of field map unit symbols to publication
symbols; specific instructions for compiling, digitizing, and map finishing; and the Feature and Symbol Legend
for Soil Survey (NRCS-SOI-37A, Exhibit 627-5). See
part 609 for more information.
- Identification Legend
The identification legend consists of map unit symbols and map unit names. Map unit
symbols combine alpha, alphanumeric, or numeric characters. Map unit symbols uniquely identify delineations on
the map to descriptive and tabular information in the soil survey publication or database.
Part 627.04(e)(1)
provides development guidelines for the map unit symbols and names. In discussions concerning soil survey map
development, the terms “descriptive labels” or “labels” refer to map unit symbols of the identification legend.
The term “symbols” in the context of maps refers to specific features in the Feature and Symbol Legend for Soil
Survey.
- Feature and Symbol Legend for Soil Survey
Each soil survey requires a Feature and Symbol Legend for Soil Survey (NRCS-SOI-37A).
See Exhibit 627-5. The Feature and Symbol Legend for Soil Survey (NRCS-SOI-37A) identifies all approved map
features that may be published in soil surveys.
Exhibit 627-5 includes the description of standard landform and miscellaneous surface features.
The soil mapper describes the ad hoc features and the size of the standard features.
Part 627.04 describes the
application and development of the legend. The MLRA soil survey office indicates on the NRCS-SOI-37A the features
that are to be compiled with a red underline or other obvious indicator. The office submits this marked copy with
the final correlation. Compilers only transfer those features that are indicated.
- Specifications
Soil survey maps provide information about soils. Cultural and hydrographic information
on maps make the soil information more useful. Cultural information on soil survey maps assists the user to
establish location. Hydrographic information provides both location and information about the landscape. Although
this information combines onto a single map for the published soil survey, it consists of separate themes; culture,
hydrography, and soils.
Each map theme may have several types of map features; area, line, or point. Examples of area features include
soil areas and water. Examples of line features are streams, gullies, small linear soil delineations, political
boundaries, and escarpments. Point features include churches, schools, and most special features, such as wet spots,
pits, small point soil delineations, and ad hoc features.
Generally, the base map for field mapping is an aerial photograph or photobase, called a field sheet. The scale
within a field sheet may vary because of differences in ground elevation and tip and tilt of the aerial camera. The
compilation process, in addition to accurately converting and transferring map information, adjusts for these
distortions.
Field sheets are the source for the location and orientation of map features. These features align as shown on
form NRCS-SOI-37A in Exhibit 627-5. Most features orient north unless otherwise indicated. The U.S. Geological Survey
(USGS) topographic quadrangles serve as guides for locating and identifying some map features. When discrepancies
exist between the field sheets and the topographic quadrangles, use the field sheets as they provide the most up to
date information. However, a set of topographic quadrangles designated as the official set contains all
updated information and corrections. If an official set of topographic quadrangles exists, it will be delivered
with the compilation materials to the appropriate persons for the map finishing process. The Instructions for
Map Compilation, Map Finishing, and Digitizing section of the Classification and Correlation document refer
to the official set of USGS topographic quadrangles. All cultural and hydrographic features (schools, religious
structures, wells, and windmills) are to be drafted by freehand or indicated by codes. The size of the symbols
should approximate the size of the symbols shown in
Exhibit 627-5, Feature and Symbol Legend for Soil Survey.
Use the following specifications for compiling map information for soil surveys.
- Cultural Features. Cultural features are administrative and
political subdivisions of constructed features. They include boundaries, markers, transportation features,
utilities, and various structures. Indicate them on soil survey maps for location purposes.
- Boundaries
- National, State, or Province
- County or Parish
- Minor Civil Division (only use in Connecticut, Indiana, Maine,
Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Rhode Island, and
Vermont.)
- Reservations (national or state forest or park) (if desired)
- Limit of the Soil Survey (label) and/or denied access areas
- Field sheet and neatline
- Coordinate grid ticks and values. Place coordinate grid ticks and values during compilation
if the compiled information will be used as an interim product of soil survey. Generally placement
occurs during map finishing.
- Show coordinate grid ticks and values as UTM meters on all four sides of the map. The values
are 1,000 meters for 3.5-minute quadrangle format and 5,000 meters for 7.5-minute quadrangle
format intervals. Place so as to lessen any conflict with other marginalia.
- Indicate the latitude and longitude coordinates in degrees, minutes, and seconds at each
map corner and at the 2.5-minute tic locations.
- Public land survey system section boundary and corner tics. Generally all States that have
public land show public land information. The information includes land division corners or section
lines, section numbers, and township and range numbers and division bars. The placement of this
information is usually completed during map finishing, however, if compiled information will be used
as an interim product, place the information during compilation.
- Indicate township and range identification and division bars along the map neatline.
- Place the section numbers in open spaces as close to the center of the section as possible.
Obtain all public land information from the USGS topographic quadrangles or a more current and
precise source.
- Transportation features. Compiling roads, trails, and railroads is normally not done because
these features show on the published imagery. Use of the appropriate emblems or names for interstate,
Federal, state, and county roads is recommended. Place the emblems directly on the feature they
represent.
- Located Objects. Located objects are optional locational aids.
- Airport and landing field. Label with the proper name, use the term Airport, or place the
symbol for the feature.
- Cemetery. Label with the proper name, use Cemetery or Cem, or place the symbol for the
feature.
- Church. Only show where it is significant as a locational aid.
- Farmstead. Only show where it is significant as a locational aid.
- Lighthouse. These features are towers or other structures displaying a light for the guidance
of mariners
- Located object. Only show this feature in remote areas that have few or no other locational
features. Label with a descriptive label.
- Lookout tower. Only show a lookout tower in remote areas that have few or no other locational
features.
- Oil or gas well. Oil or gas wells are pits or holes dug or bored into the earth for the
extraction of oil or gases.
- Other religion. Other religion refers to sites with religious significance. Do not include
the religious denomination in the descriptive label.
- School. Only show where it is significant as a locational aid.
- Sample sites. These may be compiled but not published.
- Tank. Tanks are storage units for water or petroleum. Label as to type.
- Windmill. Show a windmill associated with a well as a windmill, and omit the well symbol. If
it is geothermal, do not show it.
- Hydrographic Features. Hydrography is information about flowing and standing water.
Compile hydrography to conform to the photobase imagery.
Where a hydrographic feature is wide enough that the actual width can be shown, compile the shoreline
or each bank as a soil delineation boundary and label with the appropriate map unit label. The shoreline
corresponds to the normal stage of water, which is usually marked by a line of permanent land vegetation.
The determination of this map unit boundary is a responsibility of the project leader. Areas covered by
shallow water may be map unit components that are not water.
Do not label large water areas as Water. Place the proper name inside the feature, if possible; otherwise
place it outside. Always use the appropriate map unit label.
The compiler is responsible for drafting any additional bodies of water visible on the photobase map
that are not delineated on the field sheets. These delineations are map units and therefore must coincide
with the legend, minimum size, requirements, and meet approval of the project leader.
Show a sewage lagoon, industrial waste pond, fish hatchery, or other miscellaneous water area, as a map
unit with a map unit label that identifies the area from other water. In addition, use the labels Sewage
Disposal Pond, Industrial Waste Pond, or Fish Hatchery.
- Drainage end. Drainage ends indicate the direction of flow. Compile the feature where streams
end abruptly and disappear into caverns, depressions, marshes, or other areas where the stream is no
longer clearly evident.
- Perennial stream. This is a stream that flows throughout most normal years. Compile this
solid line feature for a stream that is greater that 0.5 inch in length. Either indicate PSDR or note
on the margin that all streams are perennial where not indicated (and then label those that are
intermittent as INDR).
- Intermittent stream. This is a stream that is dry for a large part (more than 3 months) of
each year. Compile this solid line feature for a stream that is greater than 0.5 inch in length. Indicate
INDR or note in the margin that all streams are intermittent (and then label those that are perennial as
PSDR).
- Unclassified stream. This is a stream that is not distinguished as either perennial or
intermittent. Compile this solid line feature for a stream that is greater than 0.5 inch in length.
Label as UCDR.
- Perennial drainage or irrigation ditch. This is a perennial drainage or irrigation feature.
Compile the solid line with an arrow feature to indicate a feature that is greater than 0.5 inch in
length. Label DDIT or note use in the margin.
- Intermittent drainage or irrigation ditch. This is an intermittent drainage or irrigation
feature. Compile the solid line with an arrow feature to indicate a feature that is greater than 0.5
inch in length. Label IDIT or note use in the margin.
- Unclassified drainage or irrigation ditch. This is an unclassified drainage or irrigation
feature. Compile the solid line with an arrow feature to indicate a feature that is greater than 0.5
inch in length. Label UCDIT or note use in the margin.
- Flood pool line. Some reservoirs require a maximum flood pool boundary. For these reservoirs,
compile the soil boundaries and drainage lines to the normal reservoir shoreline. Obtain the location of
the flood pool line boundary from the topographic quadrangles, the field sheets, or both.
- Spring. Water seeps or flows from the ground naturally in these places. Only show large and
important springs on the soil map in well-watered areas. Because of their vital importance to land use
management in arid and semiarid regions, locate and compile springs with great care. These springs
usually have names that should appear on the soil map.
- Wells. These features are pits or holes dug or bored into the earth for the extraction of
water. Artesian wells are deep-bored wells in which water rises under pressure from a permeable stratum
overlaid by impermeable rock. Most irrigation wells use pumps rather than gravity flow to extract water.
The importance of wells and water tanks depends upon the soil use in the area. Show wells in arid and
semiarid regions. They may or may not exhibit surface flow.
- Soil survey features. Soil survey features include the delineations of soils or
miscellaneous areas, the soil labels, ad hoc features, and standard landform and miscellaneous surface
features. Ideally, while mapping, the soil scientist indicates only the features that appear on the legend and
will appear in the publication.
Some soil surveys require consolidating map units for correlation reasons, but extent of the map unit
should not be one of the reasons. Use standard or ad hoc features for surface located contrasting conditions
that affect use and management and that are important for locational purposes. Standard and ad hoc features are
not substitutes for describing components of map units.
The soil scientist indicates on the field sheets only the appropriate amount of detail and the features that
are necessary for publication. Any detail beyond this clutters the field sheet, may result in incorrect soil
information because of compilation decisions, and increases the cost of map preparation and publication.
Compilers maintain registration of field sheet information and the compilation base throughout the soil line
transfer process. They adjust the compilation base as the transfer progresses to ensure accurate location of
soil area boundaries. Depending on the amount of displacement present in the field sheets, the adjustment may
be minor or quite significant. Generally, nominal scale field sheets require much more adjustment during the
compilation process than orthophotography used as field sheets.
- Soil delineations and soil symbols
- Area soil map unit delineations.
Soil area boundary lines encircle all soil and miscellaneous areas (including water) that are
identified as polygons. Compilers accurately transfer soil area boundary lines from field sheets to
stable base media compilation base. They match and extend all feature edges across the neatline of
all adjoining sheets to ensure accuracy in the joining.
After compiling all hydrographic and cultural features onto separate overlays, compilers transfer
soil area boundaries onto a third overlay and letter the soil map unit labels that have been approved
for publication. They draft all compiled items with sufficient clarity to permit easy and accurate
legibility for later interpretation.
All soil area boundary lines will be smooth, solid lines with consistent line width without skips
or overlaps. Generally adjust soil area boundary lines to avoid coinciding with other compiled
features. Line features that are used to identify soil area boundaries may coincide with hydrography
features.
Do not terminate soil area boundary lines on other compiled features, except on neatlines in
cases where the neatline is the limit of the soil survey.
In some cases, one publication or approved soil label represents several different soil labels
shown on the field sheets. Where this occurs, consolidate adjoining areas of the same label into one
soil area. Delete the common soil area boundary line between soil areas combined in this manner.
Smooth or round any sharp or irregular delineation resulting from this combining.
- Point or line segment soil map unit delineations.
Use point or line segment soil map unit delineation features to indicate very significant soil
areas that are too small to be shown as soil area features (polygons) at the scale of mapping. Be
sure to accurately match the line segment feature to the adjoining map sheet to ensure accuracy in
joining.
The line segment soil map unit delineation feature has precedence over the hydrography feature.
- Other soil survey features.
Some soil map features are too small to be delineated as areas at a given scale and are
represented as either standard landform or miscellaneous surface features or as ad hoc features.
These areas are not significant enough to warrant the assignment of a map unit symbol, nor described
or interpreted. They generally are observable from the surface. They are locational aids and highlight
uncommon occurrences of soil survey features.
Each standard landform or miscellaneous surface feature has a standard description and symbol.
Their size is set in terms of acres by the mapper. Refer to the Descriptions of Standard Landform and
Miscellaneous Surface Features and Descriptions for Ad hoc Features on the back of NRCS-SOI-37A
Exhibit 627-5.
In addition, approved marker symbols may be used for special purposes, but their use is not
standardized. They have unique definitions and sizes for each soil survey area. These special purpose
symbols represent ad hoc features.
When indicating ad hoc features, use only approved symbols. Use symbols that do not look similar
to other symbols used in the legend. The approved symbols for ad hoc features are shown on
NRCS-SOI-37A in Exhibit 627-5.
Compile all symbols for soil survey features to the compilation base in the exact location
portrayed on the field sheets. Orient symbols for soil survey features to north.
- Soil labels. Include at least one soil label in each soil area, or attached to each point or line
segment soil map unit delineation feature. Use the conversion legend (included in the classification and
correlation document) to select the correct soil label when converting field to publication labels. If,
during the compilation process, there are labels on the field sheets that are not found on the conversion
legend, the project leader will determine the disposition of the symbols. They may need to be added to the
legend and final correlation document. Account for every soil label during the correlation process. When
making the soil maps in the field, use the correlation process for documenting the disposition of all soil
labels. Do not change the soil labels for map units that are combined into other units while the mapping is
progressing. Attempting to change the labels rather than correlate them usually results in some labels not
being changed. This provides an untimely discovery at compilation of labels that do not appear on the
conversion legend.
The MLRA regional office is responsible for the conversion of all labels to either the publication labels
or to the legend in the signed classification and correlation document and amendments.
Position soil labels horizontally, space permitting, as near to the center of the delineated area as
possible. Where soil areas are large and irregular, place more than one soil label to permit easy
identification of the area. Avoid placing soil labels where the publication image is dark, e.g. wooded areas.
When an area is too narrow to accommodate a label placed horizontally, place it at an angle or vertically.
Do not allow soil labels to touch or be placed too close to the soil boundary or any other labels. A good
rule to follow is to leave a space the width of a soil area boundary line between labels or lines. Place
soil labels over streams only if the soil area is long and narrow and space does not permit locating the
label horizontally.
Other soil survey features are not labeled, but are accurately located on the map with the appropriate
marker symbol.
- Leaders. Only use leaders to connect soil area boundaries to their label when absolutely necessary. If
you must use them, do not allow them to cross more than one soil boundary or interfere with any other
labels or features. Extend the leader into the soil area so it does not touch the opposite side of the soil
area. All point and line segment soil map unit delineation features require a leader to the label.
- Coinciding Map Features
The USGS topographic quadrangles are the source for locating boundaries. However, if
any of the boundaries on the topographic quadrangles are out of date or incorrect, indicate the correct location
on the field sheets. Also make a notation of the discrepancy in Instructions for Map Compilation, Map Finishing,
and Digitizing in the classification and correlation document and on the official set of USGS
topographic quadrangles. Maintain uniformity in line spacing, widths, lengths, and symbolization throughout the map
compilation assignment.
- When two or more map features fall in the same location on a map sheet, the priority for showing these
features are shown in Table 1.
Table 1 Priority for showing coinciding map features
| Priority |
Feature |
| 1 |
Road |
| 2 |
National boundary |
| 3 |
State boundary |
| 4 |
County or parish boundary |
| 5 |
Reservation (national or state forest or park) |
| 6 |
Limit of soil survey boundary |
| 7 |
Minor civil division boundary |
| 8 |
Public Land Survey System Section Boundary |
| 9 |
Neatline |
- Features prioritized as 1 through 8 always precede the map neatline. If such situations exist, do not
remove the neatline from the compilation base; instead, indicate these features on top of the neatline.
- Compile all hydrographic features even if they coincide with prioritized features, removal should only
be done during map finishing.
- Point or line segment soil map unit delineation features precede hydrographic and other prioritized
features. Move soil area boundary lines so that they do not coincide with compiled features.
- Lettering
Legibility and consistency of lettering are the most important criteria for making a
legible map. Specifying size of lettering is difficult because there are a number of circumstances that make this
impractical. The density of soil area boundary lines and the presence of hydrographic and cultural features are
some of the items that determine the letter size limitations. Generally, lettering height of soil labels is no
less than 0.05 inch nor more than 0.15 inch. The lettering style is simple and legible. Avoid fancy or artistic
styles. Use the single stroke, either slant or vertical. It most nearly approaches the strokes ordinarily used in
writing, adapts itself to small space, can be photocopied, condensed or expanded without affecting the legibility,
and is easy to use.
Freehand letter all names in upper and lowercase. Specific type styles and sizes for hydrographic, hypsographic,
and place names are not required on the compilation documents. Use freehand vertical lettering for all features
other than transportation and hydrographic features, which are freehand slant lettered. The main requirements are
that all lettering be neat, legible, accurate, complete, and consistent.
Unless otherwise specified in the Instructions for Map Compilation, Map Finishing, and Digitizing in
the classification and correlation document, compile names shown on the field sheets and USGS topographic quadrangles
onto the compilation bases. Where discrepancies between the field sheets and topographic quadrangles exist, use the
name on the topographic quadrangle. An exception is when, during the mapping process, names or features that are
obsolete or incorrect have been crossed out and the corrections indicated in red ink on a set of topographic
quadrangles for compilation use. Send this set of corrected topographic quadrangles with the compilation materials
for use in the map finishing process.
Position all lettering to read from left to right or from bottom to top of the compilation base. Use the USGS
topographic quadrangles for locating features being named. Place all cultural names, road numbers, and soil labels
horizontal to the north and south neatlines. Position hydrographic, hypsographic, road, and railroad names in
alignment with the features they identify.
- Quality Control and Assurance
- The MLRA regional office is responsible for compilation and its quality assurance. The MLRA soil survey
office, or other office doing compilation, is responsible for a 100 percent edit of the compilation and the
MLRA regional office assures the edit with a 10 percent check before its release for digitizing or finishing.
- The MLRA soil survey office or compiling office carefully reviews, edits, and properly matches all data
(100 percent) from one compilation sheet to another.
Exhibit 647-1 provides a compilation edit checklist.
- The edit checklist and editorial symbols when used with the overlay provide a useful tool in identifying
the most common errors that occur in a given soil survey area. This information can be helpful, to both the
soil scientists that performed the mapping or the individual responsible for the compilation, in providing
feedback as to where improvements are needed to make a high quality soil map. If the compiler is not a soil
scientist, a soil scientist should resolve all soil related errors that are identified during the edit process.
- Refer to Exhibit 647-2 for a list identifying common kinds of errors and the recommended editorial symbols
indicating the actions needed to correct the errors.
- After correcting all edit errors, the MLRA regional office completes the Map Compilation Certification
shown in Exhibit 647-3.
Compilation Techniques (647.04)
Request the latest compilation techniques from the National
Cartography and Geospatial Center.
Recompilation for Digitizing (647.05)
- Planimetric Correct Base
Digitizing standards require a planimetric correct base. Recompile published soil surveys
to a planimetric correct base, typically orthophoto quadrangles, on stable mylar before or during digitizing.
- Line Adjustment
Use remote sensing techniques that capitalize on the improved base photography,
topographic contour features, and stereographic photographs to improve line placement, and thus create a more
accurate soil map. Improved placement of a soil delineation results in a slight to significant adjustment from the
original soil map in the published report. Reasons for line adjustment are the improved quality of the orthophoto
tones, correction of obvious discrepancies between soil delineations and topographic contours, and edge matching.
- Documenting Changes in Line Placement
Document changes in line placement and, if needed, provide a supplement of differences
from the published soil survey maps to the digitized soil maps. These guidelines also apply to the digitization of
parts of soil surveys, such as a local watershed or river basin project.
- Minimal Requirements
- Memorandum of Understanding. Reference to
part 606.01(a)(6) of the National Soil Survey
Handbook. Append the existing soil survey memorandum of understanding with amendments concerning the digital
product. Those cooperators that signed the original memorandum of understanding are to review and sign the
amendment. Address the following items in the amendment.
- Purpose - Specify the reason(s) for recompilation before digitizing, such as enacting an
exact join, improved photographic tones, more recent photographic image, corrected base, or more suitable
scale.
- Cooperating agencies and their responsibilities - Identify the cooperators and define their
roles in recompilation and digitizing.
- Specifications and procedures - Explain the procedures to compile and digitize the soil
survey or parts thereof. Identify the materials used in the procedures and discuss the general kinds of
adjustments that are anticipated in the placement of soil boundary lines. To easily differentiate from
the original delineations, specify that line edits will be made to contrast (red ink) with line work of
the published soil survey.
- Include the statement - “Maps produced from the new digitized map will be designated the
official copy of the soil survey for the NRCS field office technical guide. A record of line edits will
be on file for review upon request.”
- Include the statement - “The soil survey will be digitized according to SSURGO standards and
archived at the NRCS National Cartography and Geospatial Center. The digitized soil survey will not be
copyrighted and NRCS reserves the right to archive and distribute data generated under the terms of this
amendment for their use.”
- Identify plans - Identify plans to supplement the published soil survey, or state that no
supplement will be issued.
- Supplement to a published soil survey map. All supplements will
be available to users of soil survey information. The supplement may include the following.
- Narrative explanation - Provide a narrative that explains deviations from the published
report from digitizing. State in the narrative that “photocopies of edited portions of map sheets are
available for review.” Statements included in the supplement would be different if soil lines were
recompiled to stable base USGS topographic quadrangles rather than orthophotos or orthophoto
quarter-quadrangles. See Exhibit 647-4 for a sample narrative explanation.
- Errata sheet - The errata sheet can either be a list of legal descriptions (e.g., Sheet 13,
N.W. ¼, Sec. 32) or a thematic map showing the geographic location, to the quarter section or an
equivalent, of each edit. An index to map sheets, shaded to depict the areas where changes occur, may
be used.
- Edited map sheets for distribution - Edited map sheets that are developed for distribution
must be of professional quality. States preference will dictate the kind of map product developed. The
National Cartography and Geospatial Center can provide copies of digitized full map sheets with an
orthophoto background. Reproductions by the National Cartography and Geospatial Center are on a
reimbursable basis. Another option is to provide photocopies of portions of published soil maps showing
only where significant changes to line placements have been made.
- Classification and correlation document. An amendment to the soil survey classification and
correlation document is required if map unit names or symbols, including symbols for ad hoc features, have been
converted, added, deleted, or revised. If map units are recorrelated or added, they must be accordance with
General Manual, Part 402.5.
- Source Materials Required For Digitizing
The following materials and documents should be available at the time of digitizing:
- Soil legend - An itemized listing of all soil map symbols and names to be digitized.
- Soil map - Soil maps showing cultural features, hydrographic features, soil area boundaries, point and line
segment soil map unit delineations, soil map unit labels, standard features, and ad hoc features.
- Map indexes - An index to soil maps and USGS topographic quadrangles or orthophoto quadrangles.
- Published soil survey maps - Copies of the original published soil survey maps.
- Soil classification and correlation document and amendments - An approved document is required before a
soil survey is contracted for digitizing.
SSURGO Characteristics (647.06)
The SSURGO database is:
- Defined in a memorandum of understanding.
- Mapping on hard copy aerial photography, subsequently compiling to orthophotography, and hand- or scan- digitizing
are avoided if at all possible. Field mapping is done using electronic media and on-screen digitizing as much as
possible to avoid these extra steps.
- If (b) above is not possible, map on orthophoto 7.5 minute quadrangles or orthophoto 3.5 minute quadrangles or
compile onto one of these bases before or during digitizing. USGS 7.5-minute topographic quadrangles or SPOT quadrangles
may also be used if orthophoto quadrangles are not available.
- Mapped at scales ranging from 1:12,000 to 1:63,360.
- Supported by an approved and signed classification and correlation document and amendments.
- Digitized by raster scanning and vector conversion or line-segment (vector) methods.
- Captured or converted to a Geographiccoordinate reference system, decimal degrees map units, and a North American
Datum of 1983 with a Geodetic Reference System of 1980 spheroid or a North American Datum of 1927 with a Clarke 1866
spheroid.
- Geo-referenced digital spatial data, tabular data, and metadata.
- Spatial data stored in a vector data structure.
- Archived in a seamless survey area.
- Within digitizing standards and specifications of NRCS.
Digitizing Specifications (647.07)
- Base Map Characteristics
The soil survey base map must meet the following characteristics.
- Maps to be used. Base maps used for digitizing soil surveys must meet National Map
Accuracy Standards. 7.5-minute orthophoto quadrangles, 3.75-minute orthophoto quadrangles, USGS 7.5-minute
topographic quadrangles or SPOT quadrangles meet these standards. Base maps produced from digital
orthophotography to the National Standard for Spatial Data Accuracy are also acceptable. Base maps are to be
on stable material to minimize distortion caused by contracting and expanding from changes in temperature and
humidity. Mylar material that is 0.004-inch (4 mil) thick is suitable under normal stable environmental
conditions. Generally humidity fluctuations affect mylar stability more than temperature fluctuations.
Soil surveys not mapped on a base that meets map accuracy standards are recompiled onto an accurate base
map before or during digitizing. If the soil survey is mapped on an accurate mylar base map, only the accurate
conversion of soil map unit symbols and standard and ad hoc features to those on the publication legend is
necessary. If the soil survey is mapped on rectified aerial photography, the accurate transfer of boundaries
onto one of these base maps is necessary to correct for ground relief distortion before or during digitizing.
The use of 1:12,000 or 1:24,000 digital orthophotography is strongly encouraged.
- National Standard for Spatial Data Accuracy. These standards define spatial accuracy as it
pertains to map products at scales of 1:250,000 and larger produced by Federal agencies. They supersede the
National Map Accuracy Standards issued June 10, 1941, and most recently revised on June 17, 1947, by the former
U.S. Bureau of the Budget.
These standards are the measure of positional accuracy of map features (the difference between their map
position and where they actually occur on the ground). Soil surveys will be digitized only from base maps that
meet these standards.
- Horizontal Accuracy - The standard error, or root-mean-square error, is measured separately in
both the x and y coordinates at the publication scale (Table 2).
- For Class 1 maps, the standard error shall not exceed ± 0.25 mm.
- For Class 2 maps, the standard error shall not exceed ± 0.50 mm.
- Maps that exceed ± 0.50 mm do not meet National Standard for Spatial Data Accuracy.
Table 2. Horizontal accuracy limits at ground-scale.
| Scale |
Limits for x or y meters (ft) |
| Class 1 |
Class 2 |
| 1:12,000 |
±3.0m (10) |
±6.0m (20) |
| 1:24,000 |
±6.0m (20) |
±12.0m (39) |
| 1:63,600 |
±15.8m (52) |
±31.6m (104) |
- Vertical accuracy - The following limits of accuracy apply to contour maps and to maps showing
spot elevations.
- For Class 1 maps, the standard error of elevations determined from the contours shall not exceed
one-third of the contour interval.
- For Class 2 maps, the standard error shall not exceed two-thirds of the contour interval.
- Maps with elevations that exceed the Class 2 criterion do not meet National Standard for Spatial
Data Accuracy.
- The standard error for spot elevations (heights) shall not exceed one-sixth of the published or
planned contour interval.
- Accuracy Test - The allowable limits are expressed in millimeters at the product scale, rather
than ground scale.
- Certification of products shall be based on both horizontal and vertical tests, unless contours or
spot elevations are not shown, in which case certification shall be based only on horizontal tests.
- All map measurements will be made on stable base materials.
- The horizontal and vertical accuracy tests shall each have a minimum of 20 and not more than 50
well-defined test points, well spaced and spread over the project as evenly as is economically
possible.
- Maps in which the vertical or horizontal standards are impractical to meet are considered to fail
standards for that dimension of the standards not tested.
- When testing a sufficient number of maps (3%) in a series is impractical to determine whether the
series as a whole passes or fails, then all maps in the series shall be labeled as not tested.
- Compute standard errors by comparing the positions or elevations of points with corresponding
positions or elevations as determined by surveys of a higher accuracy.
- Calculate the standard error separately for the x and y coordinates and for vertical test points
using all the test points.
- Determination may be made without a formal test when the product is derived using larger scale
products or products known to meet these standards, or by error propagation analysis that clearly proves
conformance.
- The limits of accuracy apply in all cases to positions of well-defined points. Well-defined points
are features, such as road intersections or road and railway intersections that can be accurately
identified and located at discrete positions.
- Product Identification - Label products with a two-part label; if elevation information is not
shown, label products for horizontal accuracy only.
- If both horizontal and vertical pass, label:
- “Complies with National Standard for Spatial Data Accuracy (Horizontal), Class __”
- “Complies with National Standard for Spatial Data Accuracy (Vertical), Class __”
- If either or both are tested, but fail, replace appropriate line or lines as shown below. Insert
Horizontal, Vertical, or Horizontal and Vertical as appropriate.
- “Does not meet National Standard for Spatial Data Accuracy (______)”
- If either or both are not tested, replace appropriate line or lines as shown below. Insert
Horizontal, Vertical, or Horizontal and Vertical as appropriate.
- “Not tested for Compliance with National Standard for Spatial Data Accuracy (______)”
- Series Maps - At least 100 maps are made using similar source material, instruments, and
procedures.
- The class of a series of maps may be determined by testing a limited number of individual maps from
the series.
- At least 3 percent (but not less than 10) individual maps must be tested.
- The class into which 90 percent of the standard errors of the individually tested maps fall will
apply to the entire series.
- Reference System. The horizontal control for the SSURGO database is the North American
Datum of 1983 or the North American Datum of 1927 and is determined by the compilation base.
- Map Sheet Formats. Soil surveys mapped on the ½ or 1/3 orthophoto quadrangle formats can
be digitized in these formats; however, soil digital data sets provided to the NRCS must be merged and formatted
in a 7.5-minute quadrangle format. Soil surveys mapped on 3.75-minute orthophoto quadrangles do not need to be
merged into a 7.5-minute quadrangle format. The map base for the final product of all soil surveys will be on
orthophoto quadrangles at a standard map scale of either 1:12,000 or 1:24,000.
- Features To Be Digitized
Area soil survey features and linear and point soil survey features are digitized as
three separate layers.
- Layer 1
- Examples of area features are soil and water areas. These features are composed of soil boundary
lines or other boundary lines such as a double line stream or limit of soil survey that form polygons
and occupy area.
- Layer 2
- Examples of soil line segments are narrow elongated riparian areas.
- Examples of soil point features are small circular riparian areas.
- Layer 3
- Examples of special linear features are escarpments and gullies.
- Examples of special point features are landform features, miscellaneous surface features, and ad hoc
features sometimes known as spot symbols. Wet spots, pits, and sinkholes are specific examples of these
features.
Both linear and point special features represent areas that are too small to be digitized as
polygons (area features smaller than 0.5 cm in diameter).
- Data Capture
The following standards and specifications apply to digitizing soil surveys at scales
from 1:12,000 to 1:63,360.
- Soil and Water Boundaries.
- Digitize each soil or water boundary within a 0.01-inch (0.254 mm) line width of the source
document. Follow the centerline of the boundary. Represent each boundary with no greater number of
coordinate pair vertices, than is necessary to record the boundaries within the 0.01-inch (0.254 mm)
accuracy limit.
Digitize “islands” as a continuous line segment with only a beginning and ending node.
Connect beginning and ending points of each digitized line at a common intersecting point with another
soil boundary, water boundary, or limit of soil survey boundary.
- Limit of Soil Survey. Digitize each soil survey area boundary within a 0.01-inch (0.254 mm)
line width of the source document. Follow the centerline of the boundary. Represent each boundary with no greater
number of coordinate pairs, vertices, than is necessary to record the boundary within the 0.01-inch (0.254 mm)
accuracy limit.
- Geographic Control. Establish geographic control using the four corner coordinate values of
the 7.5-minute topographic quadrangle, 7.5-minute orthophoto quadrangle, or 3.75-minute orthophoto quadrangle.
- Nodes. Digitize nodes at the intersection of soil lines and at the endpoint of lines where
they join.
- Linear Features. Digitize linear features as a single line within a 0.01-inch (0.254 mm)
line width of the source document.
- Point Features. Digitize point features as a single coordinate pair within a 0.01-inch
(0.254 mm) distance of its location on the source document.
- Legends
- Area Features
- The soil map symbols in the legend in the classification and correlation document and amendments.
- Permanent water and miscellaneous water will
conform to soil map unit labels (i.e. alpha,
numeric, or alphanumeric)
Table 3 shows an example of an approved correlation legend.
Table 3. An approved correlation legend
| ApB |
Alpha silt loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes |
| Ba |
Barney loam, very stony |
| Be |
Beta silt loam |
| Go |
Gomer clay, frequently flooded |
| Md |
Madras loamy fine sand |
| W |
Water |
| We |
Wehadkee fine sandy loam |
- Point and Line Segment Soil Map Unit Features
The soil map symbols in the legend in the classification and correlation
documents and amendments.
- Linear and Point Special Features. Digitize the soil survey standard and ad hoc features
identified in Exhibit 627-5, NRCS-SOI-37A Feature and Symbol Legend for Soil Survey if they are identified in
the classification and correlation document and amendments. Table 4 shows an approved feature and symbol Legend.
Ad hoc features follow standard landform and miscellaneous surface features on the legend.
Part 647.08 describes
how to assign labels to the ad hoc feature.
Attribute the features with the descriptive labels during data capture.
Table 4. An approved soil survey features correlation legend
| CLA |
Clay spot |
| GPI |
Gravel pit |
| ROC |
Rock outcrop |
| SLP |
Short, steep slope |
| STV |
Very stony spot |
| WET |
Wet spot |
| BOG |
Area of acid organics |
- Labeling
- Descriptive Labels. Label each polygon with a descriptive label. The descriptive labels
are identical to the map unit symbols in the approved soil classification and correlation document and amendments.
This includes symbols for map unit delineations, standard features, and ad hoc features.
- Label Position. Position the coordinate point for the map unit label at or near the
centroid of the polygon. Move the coordinate point into the area if the centroid falls outside of the polygon.
Centrally locate the coordinate point for linear and point features on the feature.
- Special Labels. Special labels are assigned during digitizing to areas that were not
compiled with map unit labels. If they are assigned, they should be added to the classification and correlation
document. Special labels are listed in the mapunit table in NASIS so that a mukey can be generated for them. As
such, they will be included in the map unit legend legend.
- Label areas not yet mapped or digitized as part of a progressive survey NOTCOM
for not completed.
- Label area outside the limit of the soil survey area boundary, but within the neatline BLANK
- Label large concrete or riprap covered dams DAM and large levees LEVEE when unassigned.
- Label water areas (ponds, lakes) with the symbol that has been assigned. If the areas are not
assigned, label the water area as W or M-W if a miscellaneous water area.
- Label map features crossing into adjacent map sheets with the same descriptive labels.
- Label areas DA that are unmapped because of denied access.
- If the map unit symbols are numeric, then the symbols are assigned numeric values except BLANK and NOTCOM.
- Spatial Data Format
- Spatial Format. Digital soil data sets are in a seamless survey area format.
- Internal Spatial Reference. Coordinate values can be collected in any internal coordinate
system during the digitizing process.
- External Spatial Reference. The following coordinate reference system is required for all
coordinate data:
- Ground based system and projection are Geographic.
- Map units are in decimal degrees.
- An ArcInfo coverage is the format imported into the Soil Data Warehouse. Horizontal datum is the
North American Datum of 1983 that is based upon the Geodetic Reference System of 1980 spheroid or the
North American Datum of 1927 that is based upon the Clarke 1866 spheroid. The reference system is the
same as the digitizing base.
- No x_ or y_ coordinate shifts (offsets) are permitted.
- Format of data coordinates is real.
- Data Structure. Map data are in a vector structure (i.e., location of lines, points, and
area boundaries are represented as strings of x, y coordinate pairs).
- Spatial Data Files Naming Convention
- The naming convention for SSURGO spatial files is the 2-letter state abbreviation followed by the FIPS code.
Each geospatial layer has its own designation.
- a – soil polygon coverage
- b – soil survey boundary coverage
- c – linear soil map unit coverage
- d – point soil map unit coverage
- l – linear special feature coverage
- p – point special feature coverage
- q – quadrangle coverage
- An example of the soil polygon coverage name for Henry County, Virginia is VA089_a.
- Tabular Attribute Data
The MLRA regional office certifies the tabular attribute data to be current and accurate.
Current and accurate data are current with the soil classification and correlation document and amendments, and they
are identical to the data downloaded for use in the Field Office Technical Guide. The reliability of the individual
data elements and tables are to be addressed in the metadata file if necessary.
The exportcertdate column in the distlegendmd Map Unit Record table is defined as the mm/dd/yyyy the data for
the soil survey area was certified by the MLRA regional office as edited and available for public use. This column
must be populated when submitting the tabular data. This is essential for dating the tabular data, which are
periodically updated.
- Map Unit Record Database. Each map unit symbol contained in the spatial data must have a
matching symbol in NASIS. It is acceptable for extra symbols to be in the NASIS data that are not in the spatial
data.
- Soil survey features. Prepare and archive a soil survey features file for the SSURGO
database. The name of the file will be “feature.” The format is a variable record length ASCII text file. The
first row contains the name of each column, feat_label, feat_name, and feat_desc. The second row contains at
least one dash underneath each column name. Tabs separate the column names and dashes. A return character is at
the end of each of these rows. Delimit each subsequent row by a return character and form a record in the table.
A row consists of tab delimited columns. Each row has the same number of columns as the file header (first two
rows). The file contains a descriptive label, feature name, and definition for each linear and point soil survey
feature and ad hoc feature in the legend.
- Metadata
The Soil Survey Geographic (SSURGO) product is a combination of both spatial and tabular
data. Federal Geographic Data Committee compliant metadata exists for the spatial
and tabular data. Both static and
dynamic metadata exist for the tabular component.
Metadata provide information about the content, quality, condition, and related characteristics of data. Metadata
provide information about the NRCS Soil Survey Geographic (SSURGO) database holdings to data catalogues,
clearinghouses, and brokerages. They also provide information needed to process and interpret SSURGO data received
through a transfer either by media or Internet. Metadata provide information needed to:
- Determine the sets of data that exist for a geographic location.
- Determine if a set of data meet a specific need.
- Acquire an identified set of data.
- Process and use a set of data.
- Submit metadata with the SSURGO spatial for archiving in the Soil Data Warehouse.
The template in Exhibit 647-13 is used
to create metadata. The template and
explanation of numbered blanks are available in an ASCII digital format from the National Cartography and
Geospatial Center. The name of the metadata file in the SSURGO database is the area symbol for the soil survey
area to which the dataset applies. The extension will be “.met”. For example, va001.met, is the name of the
metadata file for Accomack County, Virginia.
- SSURGO Version 2 Static Tabular Metadata. The dynamic metadata documents the contents of a particular export.
The reports and diagrams listed below document the static tabular metadata, which includes documentation of the
tables that ultimately record the dynamic tabular metadata. The following reports and diagrams are available in
Adobe Portable Document Format at
http://nasis.nrcs.usda.gov/documents/metadata/ssurgov2_0/
- Static Tabular Metadata - Domains
- Static Tabular Metadata - Tables
- Static Tabular Metadata - Table Columns
- Static Tabular Metadata - Table Column Descriptions
- Static Tabular Metadata - Indexes
- Static Tabular Metadata - Relationships
- Traditional Data Structure Diagram
- Physical Data Model
- SSURGO Version 2 Microsoft Access Template Database for Microsoft Access 97 (zipped)
- SSURGO Version 2 Microsoft Access Template Database for Microsoft Access 2000 (zipped)
- Quality Control
Quality control of soil surveys and their digitized products is the responsibility of
the office doing the work. The MLRA regional office provides quality assurance. The MLRA regional office ensures
that the digitizing source document is correct and that the digitized data match the digitizing source.
The digitizing unit performs a 100 percent edit of all materials. This includes a 100 percent hardcopy check plot
review. The digitizing unit submits materials to the MLRA regional office during the course of the work. The MLRA
regional office provides a 100 percent review of 10 percent of the digitized material. The MLRA regional office does
not provide final approval until approval by progressive correlation or by a final classification and correlation
document.
- Editing. A complete and detailed edit of the digitized data (100% edit by digitizing unit)
occurs before their release for negative preparation or for submission into the SSURGO database.
- Check Plots. Each digitized quadrangle of a soil map data set requires a computer generated
mylar check plot. The digitizing units produce the check plots. The check plots are to check line and label
accuracy with the source maps. The digitizing unit conducts this 100 percent edit. MLRA regional office
supervises or ensures this edit. Check plots require the following (the color used for the plots are optional,
they should be a different color than the compilation documents):
- Generate an ink check plot for each quadrangle with a 0.01-inch (0.254 mm) line width on stable base
mylar (minimum of 4 mil) material. Plot all data within 0.005 inch (0.127 mm) of their coordinate
locations in the database.
- Plot descriptive labels horizontally as single stroke characters with a height and width of 0.08 to
0.1 inch (2.032 mm to 2.54 mm).
- Plot the map name and scale outside of the map neatline.
- Plot area features and linear and point features either on a single plot or on separate plots.
- Plot area feature boundaries, neatlines, limit of soil survey boundaries, and descriptive labels and
other text in black.
- Plot the origin points for point features 0.03 (0.762 mm) in diameter. Plot the origin points and
their abbreviated descriptive labels in green. Offset the label from the original point such that the
label does not touch the origin point. Use the lower left corner of the first character of the
descriptive label as the point of text origin.
- Plot linear features and their abbreviated descriptive labels in green. Locate the label point at
the center of the line feature. Offset the label from the label point such that the label does not touch
the feature. Use the lower left corner of the first character of the descriptive label as the point of
text origin.
- Position the descriptive labels within the soil area so they begin within the soil area. The
descriptive labels for area features are identical to the soil map symbols shown on the
compiled/recompiled soil map. Use the lower left corner of the first character of the descriptive label
as the point of text origin.
- Plot unidentifiable feature labels as XXX in red until resolved.
- Plot the maps at the same scale and projection as the original digitized maps.
- Plot a second set of maps at the 1:24,000 (or 1:12,000) scale if the original map scale is other
than 1:24,000 (or 1:12,000). This is done after the final digitized data are accepted.
- Statistics. Generate statistics for each quadrangle in the soil survey area and for the
survey area. Generate the acreage statistics by UTM projection. In addition to quality control, acreage
statistics replace the grid dot counts or planimetered acreage normally performed. Do not submit these statistics
as a part of SSURGO. Note the discrepancies of more than 10 percent of the total between the Natural Resource
Inventory (NRI) total and spatially determined totals in the SSURGO review. The state soil scientist and MLRA
regional office leader review and decide where adjustments to individual map unit totals are needed.
Maintain and document the digitized acreage summary as “Digitized SSURGO Acreage Summary” when distributed.
Adjust the digitized acreages for the Bureau of Census water and land totals for publication. Document as “Census
Acreage Summary” when distributed. The main difference between the two acreage summaries is the water acreage.
Census water includes only water areas greater than 40 acres, and the digitized SSURGO acreage summary includes all
water. Water, a miscellaneous area, can be phased to meet the needs of the soil survey. Also broken down into
permanent water (lakes, ponds, reservoirs) and miscellaneous water (sewage lagoons, holding ponds, fish hatcheries).
- Quadrangle – As needed or requested by the State Soil Scientist or MLRA regional office,
generate acreage calculations and a total polygon (area) count for each 7.5-minute quadrangle or
3.75-minute quadrangle area feature map. Sort acreage calculations, to the nearest acre, by descriptive
labels.
- Summary - Summarize acreage data and polygon counts by descriptive labels for all 7.5-minute
quadrangles or 3.75-minute quadrangles. Use the format shown in Table 5.
Table 5. Acreage calculation and polygon count for a quadrangle
| NOTCOM |
798 |
| BLANK |
2280 |
| ApB |
1082 |
| Ba |
1920 |
| Be |
267 |
| Go |
2287 |
| Md |
115 |
| W |
101 |
| We |
198 |
| Total acres |
9048 |
| Total
polygons |
165 |
- Quality Assurance
The MLRA regional office is responsible for the overall technical accuracy of soil
surveys.
The National Cartography and Geospatial Center provides assistance to the MLRA regional office on quality
assurance review of digitized soil surveys.
Attributing Linear and Point Soil Features (647.08)
- Definition
Linear and point soil delineation features are soil
spatial areas that are too
small to delineate as polygons at the mapping scale, but are large enough and contrasting enough to significantly
influence use and management. Soil surveyors do not map linear and point soil delineations when the feature they
represent is a common component in the map unit. They name, describe, and locate features that are common components
in the map unit in the map unit description.
- Legend Development
Use a leader to attach the symbols for point and line segment map unit delineations to
the point or line segment. Correlate these symbols or labels into the soil survey area legend and handle like other
map units.
- Digitizing
For the SSURGO database, digitize all linear and point features that are mapped and
correlated.
Digital Map Finishing (647.09)
- General
The memorandum of understanding describes who will perform map finishing. The NRCS-SOI-37A
(Exhibit 627-5) in the Classification and Correlation document identifies features to appear in the soil survey
publication. Only map finish the items indicated on this approved NRCS-SOI-37A. Omission of features on the
compilation does not constitute the omission of features on the map finished maps. The MLRA regional office decides
the fate of questionable compilation map features. The MLRA
regional office has responsibility for developing, archiving,
and maintaining text layers for soil survey publication maps.
- Quality Control and Assurance
The MLRA regional office is responsible for map finishing and its quality control and
assurance. This office is responsible for ensuring a 100 percent edit of the map finishing before the final negative
preparation. The digital map finishing site is responsible for carrying out the 100 percent edit and the MLRA
normally conducts a 10 percent spot check. State offices upon agreement may share this role. A map finishing edit
checklist is provided in Exhibit 647-10. If the review is satisfactory, the MLRA Leader signs the map finishing
certification letter and ships the materials to the National Cartography and Geospatial Center. Refer to
Exhibit
647-11 Map Finishing Certification for a certification letter example. The National Cartography and Geospatial Center provides quality review assistance to the MLRA regional office.
After the MLRA regional office approves the map finished materials, they ship them to the center for final negative
preparation.
Prior to preparing the negatives, the National Cartography and Geospatial Center selects at random, a ten percent
sample of the maps. They plot the selected map files and review them for data format conformity and data accuracy.
If the review indicates that the data files are acceptable, they prepare the data as negatives.
If the review indicates that the data are not acceptable in the provided format, they return the materials to the
MLRA regional office. The MLRA regional office corrects all deficiencies before submitting the materials for an
additional sample review by the National Cartography and Geospatial Center.
Materials
- Compilation materials including the photobase maps and compilation overlays
- Index to maps
- Composite check plots for each quadrangle or quarter-quadrangle map
- Signed SSURGO certification (Exhibit 647-5) and map finishing certification (Exhibit 647-10)
documents
- Signed classification and correlation document and amendments with new NRCS-SOI-37A
- Postscript files of all publication maps on an 8 mm tape
- Specifications
Base map requirements for digital map finishing are the same as those for SSURGO
digitizing. Part 647.07(a) (1) has additional information. Generally MLRA regional offices digitize and certify as
SSURGO all surveys that are compiled to orthophotography prior to digitizing for map finishing. Soil surveys mapped
and compiled in the 1/3 quadrangle format can be digitized in this format; however, digital data sets provided to and
archived by the NRCS must be merged and formatted in a full 7.5-minute quadrangle. Soil surveys mapped on 3.75-minute
orthophoto quadrangles do not need to be merged into a 7.5-minute quadrangle format.
Develop data layers for the soil data theme and optionally for the culture and hydrography themes, as determined
by the State Soil Scientist and Memorandum of Understanding. Format these layers for archiving in modified DLG-3
optional format. Digitize data features as points, lines, or areas.
Exhibit 647-13, DLG major and minor codes for
soil survey publication features, defines the descriptive label, major and minor codes for all cultural and
hydrographic features. Derive the soil data from the certified SSURGO data. Develop text files containing additional
soil labels. Give consideration for the best placement and for the number of labels needed for each soil area.
Develop text files with proper names for cultural, hydrographic, and hypsographic features in agency supported
software.
For each published map, combine and process the data layers into two plot files in Postscript format. One plot
file contains all data to be published in blue, the other plot file contains the data to be published in black. All
work must meet the proper density, line widths, symbol, font styles, and sizes as listed in
Exhibit 647-7, Symbol and
Font Specifications. Register all work to the photobase image.
- Data Files
Develop up to four data files for each soil survey publication map. The cultural data
theme embeds the public land survey. One file of this theme contains only the public land survey section corners and
section labels and another file contains all other cultural features. The files are named with the .pf and .cf
extensions respectively. Non-public land survey areas only have one cultural data file. Develop one data file named
with the .hf extension for all hydrographic features. Two data files may exist for the soil theme. One required file
is the soil area file with the .af extension. A special feature file named with the .sf extension may exist.
- Culture. Cultural information including political and administrative boundaries,
transportation, buildings, structures, and public land survey are black on the publication maps. When two or
more boundaries fall in the same location, the Table 6 shows the priority for digitizing these features:
Table 6. Priority for showing coinciding map features
| Priority |
Feature |
| 1 |
Road |
| 2 |
National |
| 3 |
State |
| 4 |
County or parish |
| 5 |
Reservation (National or state
forest or park) |
| 6 |
Limit of soil survey |
| 7 |
Minor civil division |
| 8 |
Public Land Survey System
Section |
| 9 |
Neatline |
- Hydrography. Hydrographic information includes streams, drainage and irrigation ditches,
flood pool boundaries, springs, and wells. Streams less than 0.5 inch in length are not shown except those
connected to neatlines that extend onto the adjacent map. All hydrographic features as represented in the
“Hydrographic Features” column in the “Feature and Symbol Legend for Soil Survey” are represented in blue on
publication maps and are printed on a separate negative. Water bodies, while of hydrographic origin, are
represented on a negative containing all other soil survey information shown in black.
- Soils. Soil information includes the soil delineations, soil labels, standard landform and
miscellaneous surface features, and ad hoc features certified as SSURGO. Use a copy of the certified data to
ensure that all soil information is complete and accurate. Soil delineations include all linear and point soil
delineations as well as soil and miscellaneous areas such as gravel pit areas, water areas, miscellaneous water
areas which are further identified as sewage lagoons and filtration ponds, and double line streams and canals.
Soil area boundaries must match adjoining maps and never are broken or interrupted for any other feature.
All soil survey features are black on the publication maps.
- Text
Text includes proper names of cultural, hydrographic, and hypsographic features indicated
on published soil surveys. It also includes marginalia describing map parameters and source notes, and soil labels.
Use the USGS 7.5-minute series topographic quadrangles as guides for determining the names and locations of all text
excluding the placement of soil labels. Position all lettering so that the wording is read from left to right or from
the bottom to the top of the map. Align text with the general shape of the feature it represents, unless specified to
be placed horizontally. When letter spacing is required for effective presentation of feature names, display the text
with the letters proportionately spaced across the area to be identified. Repeat text on adjacent maps with
consistent letter spacing and size. Avoid placing text over other features whenever possible.
- Marginalia. All marginal information must be within 0.5 inch of the image area. The image
area may not exceed 25 inches (width) by 29 inches (height). Show marginal map information for each map and
include:
- agency name. Locate the agency name in the upper left corner of each map, 0.75 inch above the map
neatline and 1 inch from the map margin, in 12 point, Century condensed. Indicate as:
UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE
- soil survey area title. Locate the soil survey area name in the upper right corner of each map, ¾ of
an inch above the map neatline and 1 3/8 inch below the map margin, in 12 pt, Times.
- quadrangle name. Indicate the USGS quadrangle name in the upper right corner of each map, below the
soil survey area name in 12 pt, Times.
- soil survey publication sheet number. Indicate the map sheet number on the line below the quadrangle
name in 12 pt, Times.
- USGS map series. Indicate the USGS map series below the soil survey publication sheet number in 8 pt,
Triumvirate. It is either 3.75-MINUTE SERIES or 7.5-MINUTE SERIES.
- bar scale. Indicate three separate bar in the lower center of each map. Position the first,
representing the one kilometer increment, 1 inch below the map neatline. Position a second bar scale,
representing 1000 foot increments, up to 7000, 0.5 inch below the first scale. Position a third bar
scale, representing a mile increment, 0.5 inch below the foot bar scale.
- map projection information. Indicate map projection parameters to the left of the bar scale and map
scale information in the lower center of each map. They include the UTM coordinate system and zone,
Polyconic projection, and datum. A survey area may fall within more than one UTM zone. The information
requires the appropriate zone for each quadrangle. The datum may be either 1927 or 1983 North America
Datum. The datum is the same for all maps within a survey area. Indicate all map projection information
in 8 pt, Triumvirate.
- source note. Each map requires a source note on the lower left corner of each map in 8 pt,
Triumvirate. It references contributors to the soil survey program and identifies the imagery date.
Modify it for each survey area but at a minimum include the following:
This soil survey map was compiled by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources
Conservation Service, and cooperating agencies. Base maps are orthophotographs prepared by the U.S. Department of Interior, Geological Survey, from _____(year)
aerial photography.
Coordinate ticks and land division corners, if shown, are approximately positioned. Digital data
are available for this quadrangle.
- Join notes. Indicate join notes identifying the adjacent sheet number and quadrangle name at the
center of each of the map neatlines, 7/8 of an inch from the map neatline, for each map in 8 pt, Univers
and in parenthesis. Orient join notes on the western and eastern sides of maps to read from bottom to
top. Use the index to map sheets to determine the adjoining sheet numbers for all maps.
- State coordinate ticks and values. State coordinate ticks and values are optional features. If shown,
the preferred system is Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) meters. Indicate these tick values in one
thousand meter increments in 6 pt, Univers medium along the margin. Delete them if the values coincide
with other margin information. Always orient the values horizontally.
- Geographic coordinate ticks and values. Indicate the geographic coordinate values as latitude and
longitude in 8 pt, Univers medium at each map corner. The values are either the full 7.5-minute corner
values or the 3.75-minute values. In addition, for full quadrangle format maps indicate the coordinate
values representing the 2.5-minute ticks.
- North arrow. Indicate a north arrow in the lower left center of each map, positioned approximately 1
inch below the map neatline and 1 inch to the left of the neatline corner. It is 1 inch in length with
the arrow portion 0.10-inch length. Indicate the “North” in 6 pt, Truimvirate condensed.
- Land division township and range identifications and division bars. Indicate township and range
identifications on all surveys that contain these survey divisions. Indicate the values in 8 pt, Univers
medium.
- Boundary Identification
- Political Boundaries. Identify all national, state, county, or parish boundaries in 8 point
Century Schoolbook Caps placed parallel to the boundary line.
- For surveys that coincide with counties, show the names of adjacent counties along the
outside edge of the soil survey boundary parallel to the boundary. Where the survey joins another
state, show the adjacent state name along with the adjacent county names. Where the survey
adjoins another nation, show the national name and its provincial name along the national
boundary. If a boundary spur occurs along the map edge, show the adjacent names approximately 0.5
inch from the boundary spurs.
- For survey areas that contain more than one county or portions of counties and have county
(or state) boundaries within a survey area, show the names of counties and states as they occur
on each side of the state boundaries. Show the names more than once on maps where the boundaries
are meandering and difficult to follow.
- Position county names with approximately a 0.30-inch space between word components and
approximately 0.50-inch spacing between the county name and state name word components. Lengthen
or shorten the spacing to avoid overprinting of marginalia.
- Some maps in some states require minor civil divisions and administrative subdivisions of
counties. The following states require minor civil division boundaries and names on soil survey
maps: Connecticut, Indiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York,
Ohio, Rhode Island, and Vermont.
- Show the minor civil division names widely letter spaced, horizontal in placement, and
centrally located within the bounded areas. They may be placed vertically only in areas with long
vertical dimensions. Standard type size and style is 12 point Century Schoolbook Caps.
- Where a minor civil division extends throughout the entire map, place its name near the
center, allowing clearance for other lettering and line work detail. Average spacing between
letters should be about 1.25 inches for short names and about 0.75 inch for longer names. Select
an equal spacing interval between letters, which will allow placement without overprinting.
- Where towns or cities are also minor civil divisions with different proper names, show the
official minor civil division name in letter spaced News Gothic and the place name in Spartan
Heavy. Small areas of minor civil divisions occurring on adjacent maps that can not accommodate
both the place name and the minor civil division name should show only the place name.
- If an adjoining minor civil division is the same name as the town or city minor civil
division, omit the name within the town or city minor civil division. Show only the place name
in Century Schoolbook. The exception is when the imagery of a town does not encompass the
complete minor civil division limit and large areas of open land are evident. Then show both the
minor civil division and place name.
- Administrative boundaries. Letter the names of national or state parks, forests, and
reservations in 12 point Century Schoolbook Caps. These names are usually letter spaced and placed
horizontally to neatline. Use the maximum 12 point size when the features occur over several maps. Set
their name components on separate lines and space apart to suggest the extent of their areas.
- Soil survey boundaries. Show all boundary identifications in 6 pt, Univers Condensed. Do not
show boundary identifications haphazardly on either side of the boundary line. Locate the identifications
within the area being identified in open map spaces where possible. The exception to this rule is the
limit of the soil survey boundary. Label boundaries at least one time per map and parallel to the
boundary alignment.
- If the proper name of a reservation, forest, or national or state park does not appear in
the interior of the map, identify the boundary with its proper name, such as “ROSEBUD INDIAN
RESERVATION BOUNDARY”.
- Identify limit of soil survey boundaries only when they do not correspond with national,
state or county identified reservation boundaries. Label them “LIMIT OF SOIL SURVEY”.
- Occasionally, certain boundaries that follow along meandering streams or in rugged terrain
are not positively located on topographic quadrangles or other source material. This is most
often because of boundary disputes or lack of modern cadastral survey establishing the boundaries.
Label these boundaries “INDEFINITE BOUNDARY”.
- Some boundaries are positively located on the landscape, but because of inadequate source
material, label the boundaries “APPROXIMATE BOUNDARY”. This is particularly applicable to minor
civil division boundaries in rapidly urbanizing areas. Many of these boundaries change faster
than available source materials can be updated.
- Land Division. Identify all land division sections or tract numbers, if mapped, within the
interior of all maps. Use 12 point Univers and place section numbers in open spaces near centers of
full sections. On maps containing half sections or less, place the section numbers horizontally near
the center of the partial sections and about 0.15 inch from the map limit. For sections with more than
one half section on a map, place the numbers near the center of the full section. Adjust the section
numbers slightly to avoid overprinting other map detail.
- Check the land division corners and numbers for continuity and correctness between maps. The
land division system must agree and match between maps.
- Transportation
- Roads. Identify all interstate, Federal, state, and other roads by placing route emblems with
numbers and letters at each end of the road as it appears on the map. Place emblems horizontally and
parallel to the neatline. Place the emblem directly on the road image. If the actual roads are plotted,
place the emblem on one side of the plotted road. Position additional emblems at road junctions. When
roads continue on adjoining maps, place the emblems close to the map neatline. Identify county highways
and other roads only where Federal and state highways are sparsely located. Show names of major freeways,
parkways, turnpikes, and expressways. Do not name city streets and local roads except in special cases.
Use 6 point Univers Condensed Caps for all road names.
- Railroads. Name mainline railroads in 6 point Univers Condensed Caps. Name the railroad at
least once per map. Repeat the railroad name when it is intersected by other railroads, or where other
features obscure its direction. Omit the words “railroad, railway, system, the, company” from the name.
In most cases, omit the word “line” unless it is part of the proper company name. Place the name directly
on the feature image.
- If map space is limited, abbreviate the names as in Rand McNally’s “Commercial Atlas and
Marketing Guide” using one to three em spaces between letters.
MP . . . . . . . . . . . . . Missouri Pacific
A T AND S F . . . . . . Atchison Topeka and Santa Fe
D AND R G . . . . . . . Denver and Rio Grande
- Omit punctuation and hyphens in railroad names. Avoid using the abbreviations “&” for the
word “and”. Set component names 1 inch to 2 inches apart on the same side of alignments in clear
map spaces. Do not separate multiple word names by more than one em space.
- Place names. Use place names for concentrations of populations. Lettering of place names is
Univers Bold style. Size varies from 8 to 10 point, upper and lower case or all Caps depending on the size of
the population. Use the appropriate type and size for varying population sizes:
| (b) Population of Place |
(c) Type Size and Capitalization |
| 0 to 100 |
8 Pt C/L |
| 100 to 1000 |
10 Pt C/L |
| 1000 to 100000 |
8 Pt Caps |
| Over 100000 |
10 Pt Caps |
Locate and lay out each place name over or near the main portion of the central area to be identified.
Position names so that a direct association with the place being identified is immediately evident. If the place
name extends across more than one map, name each map.
Except for crossroads or long two worded names, layout place names in single horizontal alignment in open map
spaces. Where possible avoid overprinting other map features. Show two-worded place names on two lines with a
0.10-inch space between base lines of type.
- Miscellaneous Cultural features
- Churches and schools. If churches, schools and other religious structures are to be shown,
use their proper names, if known, in two lines spaced 0.10-inch apart. Marginate near their symbol in 8
point Univers Bold C/L. Omit all reference to denomination of religions in the names. Include “High”
school and “Junior High” school in the names if known but do not include “Elementary” in elementary
school names.
- Public works features. Identify public works features with proper name or descriptive label in
6 point Triumvirate Condensed. These features include pipelines, storage tanks, oil fields, aqueducts,
floodgates, tunnels, siphons, fords, locks, bridges, ferries, and underground cable. Label storage tanks
either as “GAS”, “OIL”, or “WATER” and omit operating names. Do not name or label power transmission
lines.
- Buildings and Grounds.
- Show the names of technical schools, hospitals, historical monuments, camps, fairgrounds,
golf courses, experiment stations, city and county parks, and cemeteries in 6 point Triumvirate
Condensed C/L. Lay out the names horizontally inside the feature imagery if space permits.
Otherwise place the names outside and marginate near their imagery. Names placed outside the
imagery should be horizontal in two lines with a 0.10-inch space between lines of type.
- Show the names of airports, colleges, and universities in two lines in gradation of 6 to 12
point Century Schoolbook C/L or Caps depending on the area of coverage.
- Identify other cultural features and objects with a descriptive label in 6 point Triumvirate
Condensed type. Some of the features are: public buildings, shrines, hospitals, historical
monuments, fish hatcheries, lighthouses, and other building identifications.
- Hydrographic features
- Streams. Indicate all natural stream names in Century Schoolbook Italic C/L or CAPS type style
but vary the size and spacing of the lettering according to stream width, length, and capacity. Usually,
the type size of a stream increases as the stream develops in length and width from its source to a
confluence. If the shape, size, or extent of a stream on a particular map is not sufficient for the
recommended type size, reduce the type size to accommodate the map space available. Space letters of 10
to 14 point size stream names not less than 2 point spacing.
Place double line stream names between shores where overprinting will not occur. Place type for
linear features on the upper side of the feature aligned with the general direction of the feature.
Place components of streams on the same side of streams, one to two inches apart when set in small
type, two to four inches apart when set in large type, and curved to fit stream alignments. Although
stream names may overprint soil boundaries, make every effort to layout the names in clear map spaces
along the stream. Name a stream twice on the same map if it is long and meandering.
- Other natural hydrographic features. Show the names of ponds, lakes, reservoirs, swamps, tidal
flats, marshes, inlets, coves, channels, passages, straits, sounds, bays, gulfs, seas, oceans, and other
hydrographic features. Also use a soil label for water. Since these features exist in many sizes, shapes,
and patterns, it is difficult to standardize the type and position of their names. Show all named natural
hydrographic features in Century Schoolbook Italic style type, varied in 6, 8, 10, 12 or 14 point, caps
or caps and lower case, letter spacing if needed, and in proportion to the extent and size of the areas.
Place hydrographic names within their shorelines, where possible, on straight or curved baselines fitting
their shapes or patterns. Letter space when the water areas are large or wide. Where names do not fit
inside water areas, place the lettering outside, nearby, and in two or more horizontal lines margined to
the feature. Select the type size that appears commensurate with the size of the area being named. Use
the following guidelines:
| Approximate Width of Water Area |
Type Size |
| 0.25 inch |
8 point C/L |
| 0.5 inch |
8 point Caps |
| 1 inch |
8 Pt C/L, 8 Pt Caps |
| 2 inches |
10 Pt C/L |
| larger than 2 inches |
10, 12, or 14 Pt Caps |
Twelve point type is the average maximum size but use 14 point type in exceptionally large areas of
oceans, seas, gulfs, bays, and sounds. Space letters of 10 point type or larger not less than 2 point
spacings. Match between maps for possible continuation of features to adjoining maps.
In sparsely populated areas where there are few feature names and identifications, name springs if
their proper name is known and the site is important. Use 6 point Century Schoolbook Italic C/L.
- Constructed hydrographic features. Show the names of canals, ditches, named miscellaneous water
areas, and flood pool line in 6 point Triumvirate Condensed Caps. If a proposed reservoir has more than
5 miles of shoreline, then label the shoreline boundary for identification “Proposed Pool Line”.
- Hypsographic Features. Show the names of hypsographic features. These include mountain
ranges, ridges, peaks, knobs, buttes, hills, canyons, bluffs, plateaus, sinks, summits, gaps, mesas, plains,
prairies, passes, reefs, valleys, hollows, meadows, gulches, deserts, washes, faults, escarpments, islands,
peninsulas, arroyos, capes, points, landings, beaches, and basins. Use good judgment in portraying the importance
of these features because they occur in a great variety of heights, shapes, slopes, flatness, extent, patterns,
and configurations. Show hypsographic names in Univers medium style of type, in 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16 or 18 point
C/L or Caps and letter spaced where required.
Usually, the 8 and 10 point size is adequate for naming land features of small or minor extent. These include
knobs, hills, gaps, summits, landings, capes, points, meadows, valleys, canyons, hollows, gulches, washes, and
beaches. Letter small features such as points, islands, landings, knobs, and hills in two lines, margined to the
feature with variable space between base lines of type depending on size of type selected.
Mountain ranges, mountains, deserts, plateaus, prairies, sinks, plains, ridges, geological faults or
escarpments, passes, islands, basins, peninsulas, and reefs are usually large in extent and are usually named in
10 or 12 point type. Use the 14, 16, and 18 point size only for very large features. Place these names on
horizontal, angular, straight, or curved baselines. Place the names to cover the feature location employing
letter spacing where necessary to cover the extent of the features.
- Soil labels. Only show the soil labels that are indicated in the classification and
correlation document and applicable amendments. The compilation photobase or overlay is the source for the
identification of soil labels for their respective soil delineation. Occasionally, the distinction between cap
and lowercase letters that are used for soil labels on the compilation is not clear. The soil legend is the
exclusive source for clarification. If the compilation base is an orthophotograph then the soil information is to
be digitized prior to the map finishing and the certified SSURGO data are used for supplying the soil labels. If
the compilation base is not an orthophotograph, the soil information will not be available in digital format. In
the later case, if there are soil labels on the compilation source that are not included in the soil legend,
contact the responsible technical representative for resolution.
Place soil labels horizontally and near the geometric center of the soil area. Read the labels from left to
right. Where soil labels that do not fit inside the soil delineation, turn the labels at an angle with the area.
Where possible, align the angled soil label with the angularity of the soil area. Soil labels that are placed in
a near vertical position must read from the bottom of the map to the top. Soil areas longer than approximately 3
inches in any direction require more than one soil label. In elongated or narrow areas, space soil labels 1 to 2
inches apart. Do not place soil labels so that they touch or extend across soil boundaries or other map features.
In cases where a soil area is long and narrow and contains a stream, and there is insufficient space to place the
soil label at an angle, it is permissible to place the soil label over the stream to avoid using a leader.
Where the soil delineation is too small to contain a label, place the label horizontally outside and adjacent
to the soil area and use a leader extending into the proper soil delineation. Only use a leader when absolutely
necessary. Leader line widths are 0.007 inches and 0.08 inches in length, and centered across the soil boundary
into the soil area being identified. A leader should not cross more than one soil line. The ends of the leader
must not touch the soil label or any other line work or detail with the soil area and must terminate within 0.010
inches of its soil label. The leader should be at an angle different from the angle of the soil label.
- Data Capture
- Digitize each point or line feature within 0.01-inch (0.254 mm) line width of the source document. Follow
the centerline of the feature. Represent each line feature with no greater number of coordinate pairs than is
necessary to record the line within the 0.01-inch (0.254 mm) accuracy limit. Digitize islands as a continuous
line segment with only a beginning and ending node. Connect beginning and ending points of intersecting lines
with a common intersecting point.
- The map neatline serves as a boundary and forms the maximum extent of the digital data set. Construct it as
four straight-line boundary segments. The beginning and ending point of each neatline will be identical to the
four corner coordinate values of the orthophoto quadrangle. Explicitly enter these values; do not digitize. Lines
intersecting the map neatline must also have a common point of intersection with the map neatline, and must not
extend beyond or fall short of the map neatline. The neatline must be a straight line and in the map projection
and horizontal datum required for the final data. If the data are developed in a different map projection or
datum, or both, map developers must take care to properly clip each USGS quadrangle to the straight neatlines in
the projection (UTM) and horizontal datum of the final data.
- Establish geographic control using the four corner coordinate values of the orthophoto quadrangle.
- Label each map feature with a numeric identification code and assign a descriptive label. The numeric
identification code corresponds to the minor code in the modified Digital Line Graph optional format file and in
the attribute file for each data layer. The descriptive labels are identical to the descriptive labels in
Exhibit
647-13, DLG major and minor codes for soil survey publication features.
- Position the coordinate point for the feature label at or near the center of the digitized feature.
- Special Data Format
Digital data sets for culture and hydrography are, or have been formatted into, full
7.5-minute quadrangle format. Digital data sets in 3.75-minute orthophoto quadrangle format do not need to be merged
into a full 7.5-minute quadrangle format.
Collect coordinate values in any internal coordinate system during the digitizing process.
- All coordinate data requires the following coordinate reference system:
- Ground based system and projections are Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM).
- Quadrangles are retained in their appropriate grid zones.
- Map units are in meters.
- Horizontal datum is the North American Datum of 1983 that is based upon the Geodetic Reference
System of 1980 or the North American Datum of 1927 that is based upon the Clarke 1866 spheroid. The
reference system is the same as the digitizing base.
- No x_ or y_coordinate shifts (offsets) are permitted.
- Format of data coordinates is real.
- Data structure is in a vector structure.
A modified Digital Line Graph optional format (DLG-3) is the format for storing, maintaining, and
distributing the soil survey publication cultural and hydrographic databases. Refer to appendix B in the
U.S. Geological Survey National Mapping Program, Technical Instruction, Data Users Guide 1, entitled
“Digital Line Graphs from 1:24,000-Scale Maps” 1990 for additional information.
The DLG-3 data structure contains node, line, and area features. Represent point features as degenerate
lines in the DLG-3. Provide soil survey publication data in up to 8 separate files for each map. These
are:
- a culture feature file,
- a culture attribute file,
- a hydrography feature file,
- a hydrography attribute file,
- a soil area feature file,
- a soil area attribute file,
- a linear and point feature file, and
- a linear and point feature attribute file.
The attribute files are ASCII files containing alphanumeric labels for the data features.
Exhibit 647-8
and 647-9 show sample DLG-3 files for cultural features and its companion attribute file.
- Characteristics of the culture and hydrography modified DLG-3:
- Two area records - the universe polygon and the area inside of the neatline
- Universe polygon will have major and minor codes of 0; area inside of the neatline will not have
major or minor codes
- Linear features are represented as lines
- Point features are represented as degenerate lines
- Quadrangle neatline is present and is represented as four separate line records
- Companion attribute file
- DLG-3 and Attribute File Relationship. Each feature file has a corresponding attribute file. Each attribute
file has one data record for each feature in the DLG-3 file. The attribute file links alpha or alphanumeric
labels to the appropriate feature in the DLG-3 file through the major and minor code pairs. The alpha or
alphanumeric labels cannot be carried in the major and minor code pairs because the code pairs are defined as
integers that are six digits in length. Tab delimit each record without spaces. Each record has a sequential
record number, a major code, a minor code and a descriptive label. The major and minor codes and the descriptive
labels must match the codes and labels of the DLG record. Attribute the features with the descriptive labels
during data capture.
- Spatial Data Files Naming Convention. The following convention for soil survey publication data files follows
the data set naming convention used in the USGS National Digital Cartographic Database, but with some
modifications. The file names are eight characters in length with a three-character extension. A brief
description of the naming convention follows:
- Sample File Name: tyyxxxzz.qft
- t - indicates type of data (s is currently the only accepted code)
- yy - indicates southeast latitude of the 1 degree block in which the quadrangle resides
- xxx- indicates southeast longitude of the 1 degree block in which the quadrangle resides
- zz - is the 7.5 minute section number of the 1-degree block (Table ) in which the quadrangle resides
(reading left to right from northwest corner)
- q - indicates the 3.75-minute quarter of the 7.5-minute quadrangle expressed as an integer.
7.5-minute quadrangles are coded as “0
- NE - 1
- NW - 2
- SW - 3
- SE - 4
- ft - indicates data type
- cf - culture feature DLG-3 file
- ca - culture attribute file
- hf - hydrography feature DLG-3 file
- ha - hydrography attribute file
File naming examples for a 3.75- and a 7.5-minute quadrangle culture DLG-3 file are:
s4309101.2cf - This quarter-quadrangle is located in the northwest 3.75-minute quarter of the first
7.5-minute quadrangle of the 1-degree block, whose southeast corner is 43-degrees north latitude and
91-degrees west longitude.
s4309125.0cf - 7.5-minute quadrangle whose southeast corner is 30 minutes and 00 seconds north latitude
and 52 minutes and 30 seconds west longitude of the 1-degree block, whose southeast corner is 43-degrees
north latitude and 91-degrees west longitude.
- Postscript Plot Files. For each published map, combine and process the data and text layers
into two plot files in Postscript format.
Exhibit 627-5, Feature and Symbol Legend for Soil Survey identifies the
publication color of each feature. In addition, all text and marginalia print are black. The postscript files can
be level 1 or 2. Level 2 is the preferred choice. The postscript file image area must not exceed 25 inches width
by 29.5 inches height. The bounding box defined in the postscript header must not exceed 1800 pica points for the
width by 2124 pica points for the height. Embed the fonts that are used within the PostScript file. All line work
is to be smooth without skips, overlaps, or other irregularities. All overlays and labels must be outside of the
printing area in the lower right corner with the quadrangle and soil survey area name. There are to be no stray
markings on the map overlays. The postscript file names use the publication sheet number followed by an
underscore, the plate color (either bu for or bk for black) and a ps extension. For example: 26_bu.ps for sheet
number 26, blue plate.)
- Delivery Formats. Submit data to the MLRA regional office on 8-mm tapes, compact discs, or
by electronic transfer. Write the data using the UNIX tar command for tapes. The root directories on the media
will be /LOCATION with entire data files and /PUB with the postscript files. Document the method and format as
part of the label. Specify the density. A label attached should include:
- Soil survey area name
- Reading instructions
- Format
- Date
- Contact person and telephone number
- Soil survey area symbol and name
- Block size
- The word PUBLICATION
Suggested Compilation Edit Checklist (Exhibit 647-1)
Soil Survey Area Name:_____________________
Publication Map Sheet Number _________ of ______________
Field Sheet Numbers:_______________________
USGS Quadrangle Name:____________________
Scale: 1:_________
Projection and datum:_______________________
SW Corner Coordinate Values Lat:___/___/___, Long:___/___/___
Editor’s Name:_____________________________
Adjoining Sheet Number or Name Date match completed
North:______________________ ___________
East:_______________________ ___________
South:______________________ ___________
West:_______________________ ___________
Marginalia
___ Join notes are present and correct
___ Range and Township tics and values are present and correct
___ Coordinate tics and values are present and correct
___ Overlay labels are complete and located in lower right corner
___ Corner tics for digitizing overlays are inked
___ Field sheet numbers are located on edge of compilation base
Culture
___ All items on compilation are on form NRCS-SOI-37A
___ All cultural features are compiled with the correct color and on the appropriate overlay
___ Any errors on the USGS topographic quadrangles have been corrected and identified on “official” set
___ All boundaries are indicated with the appropriate line symbol
___ Roads/emblems are highlighted on USGS topographic quadrangle and correctly transferred to compilation base
___ Railroad names are highlighted on USGS topographic quadrangle and correctly transferred to compilation base
___ Section corners and numbers are indicated
___ Cultural features match the compilation imagery
Hydrology
___ All hydrographic features on compilation are on form NRCS-SOI-37A
___ All hydrographic features are compiled with the correct color and on the appropriate overlay
___ All hydrographic features are indicated with the correct symbolization
___ Only streams of ½ inch or longer are compiled
___ All streams match the compilation imagery
___ Hydrographic features names are highlighted on the USGS topographic quadrangles and correctly transferred to
compilation base
___ Hydrographic features do not coincide with other features
Soils
___ Each soil map unit delineation has a correct, legible label
___ All soil labels have been properly converted to publication or approved legend
___ There are no common soil lines
___ Soil labels are placed horizontally where space permits
___ All soil lines are completed without skips or overshoots
___ All leaders are properly positioned to insure correct association with the soil unit they represent
___ Soil lines and labels do not coincide with other features
___ Only features identified on form NRCS-SOI-37A are compiled
___ All water areas are compiled on the soils overlay as soil delineations with soil map unit labels
___ Miscellaneous land type areas (gravel pits, etc.) are correlated and delineated with a symbol for a standard
landform and miscellaneous surface feature if smaller than the minimum size delineation at the given scale
___ Water areas less than the acceptable minimum size delineation are shown with the appropriate symbol
___ Soil lines delineate landform segments in the landscape
___ An exact join exists with adjoining ___________________soil survey area. (repeat for each adjoining survey area or
document discrepancies for acceptable joins)
Text
___ All text is correctly spelled and placed in the correct location
___ Text does not obscure the legibility of other features
___ All components of names are placed on the same side of the feature they represent
Materials
The following materials have been accounted for and are organized in protective envelopes:
___ Field sheets
___ Compilation base
___ USGS topographic quadrangle
___ Edit overlay
___ Approved correlated legend
___ Index to field sheets
___ Index to publication map
___ Highway map
___ Compilation checklists are completed and attached to each protective envelope
Miscellaneous
___ All overlays are clean
___ All overlays are brushed off on both sides
Common Compilation Errors and Editorial Symbols for Action (Exhibit 647-2)
- Soil delineation error
common soil line ? A D
missing soil line A
- Incorrect soil label
missing soil label ? A
incorrect conversion of field symbol CG
two different labels within one delineation D ?
named water area not identified with soil label for digitizing A
missing leader for soil label A
mismatch between sheets CG ?
- Mismatch of features between sheets RV D A
- Mismatch of text between sheets CG A D
any road number, creek names, etc.
- Features or text mismatch source document
feature appears on source but not on compilation A ?
compilation does not image match field sheet A M AJ D RV CG
features on compilation are not in correct location M
- Features mismatch NRCS-SOI-37A
feature appears on compilation but not on NRCS-SOI-37A D
feature on NRCS-SOI-37A but not transferred from field sheet to compilation A
- Incorrect feature
drains too short, less than ½ high in length D
Land Division Corner where corner coincides with neatline A D
linework overshoots T
incorrect symbol for feature CG
- Incorrect stream symbolization
incorrect stream symbol CG
drainage end added or omitted D A
arrowhead added or omitted or improperly aligned D A AL
arrowheads on streams at neatline where stream continues on adjoining sheets D
drainage turned upstream at junction CG RV
extend drainage to neatline or other feature X
- Incorrect text
incorrect name or number CG ? D
incorrect spelling SP
incorrect join note CG
- Omitted label (other than soil) feature A
abbreviation needed A
- Inconsistent line weight or quality SM ST
- Illegible label/feature M RP ST
RV SM
label or feature is impossible or hard to read or decipher
- Incomplete label/feature
Broken linework C CL
linework not connected to other features C
missing name component A
missing leader A
- Coinciding label/feature AJ M T
D X
- Too many or too few labels for clear identification A D
soil labels
other labels
- Soil labels placed outside of soil area or neat lines where space is sufficient inside
M
- Improper alignment of soil label/feature
soil labels not positioned horizontally where space permits AL
symbols for standard or ad hoc features not oriented north AJ
labels/leaders correct but improperly positioned for clarity AJ
linework overshoots T
- Components of name not placed on same side of feature M
- Improper Text
incorrect spacing CG
incorrect location M D
incorrect orientation CG AL
leaders do not follow specs AJ
abbreviation needed CG
- Field sheet numbers are recorded on the compilation sheets A
Editorial symbols legend
| ^...........Inset |
D...........Delete |
| "............Quote, inches, seconds |
M...........Move |
| #...........Number |
R...........Repair, restore |
| &...........And |
RP..........Replace |
| '............Apostrophe, feet, minutes |
RV..........Revise |
| ()..........Parentheses |
SM..........Smooth |
| @..........At |
SP...........Spell |
| ?...........Unknown disposition |
ST...........Strengthen |
| A...........Add |
T.............Trim |
| AJ..........Adjust |
X.............Extend |
| AL..........Align |
XX...........Remove or delete (map interior only) |
| C...........Connect as indicated |
|
| CG.........Change as shown |
|
| CL..........Clean, Centerline |
|
Map Compilation Certification (Exhibit 647-3)
_____________________
Soil Survey Area Name
Map Compilation
- The map compilation was performed according to the NRCS specifications as described in the National Soil Survey
Handbook, Part 647.
- The soil survey was compiled to NRCS approved base maps.
- Map unit delineations and their labels match across map boundaries and an exact join has been achieved with
adjacent surveys (discrepancies are documented for acceptable joins).
- A 100 percent edit has been completed by the compiling office. Ten percent of the map sheets have received an
additional 100 percent edit by the MLRA regional office. These map sheets are listed below.
I certify that all the above statements are true for the following map
sheets.
___________________________________________________________________________
MLRA Regional Office Leader
Date
Supplement To A Published Soil Survey Map (Exhibit 647-4)
_________________________________________________________________________________
Alpha County, and State soil survey map supplement
In 1994, the map sheets in the Alpha County Soil Survey were digitized cooperatively by the Natural Resources Conservation
Service, the _______________, and the ______________. Before or during digitizing, soil lines were transferred from the
original map sheets to orthophotos. In the process, some changes in line placement from the original map sheets were made.
This was primarily caused by improved photo image registration between the original map sheets and the orthophoto base. Lines
were also adjusted because of registration discrepancies between the original soil delineations and USGS topographic features.
A few changes, deletions, or additions were also made to soil survey, cultural and hydrographic features. Corrections that
had previously been noted on the record copy of the soil survey have been incorporated. This compilation has produced an
enhanced, more accurate soil map.
This supplement documents those changes where the original line placements were significantly adjusted, map symbols were
corrected, and where soil delineations were added or removed. Other minor changes were recorded and are on file at the field
office. All changes in the original line placement were reviewed by a soil scientist with stereo photography or by field
visit, or both.
Typical changes include: refined line placement to improve joins between map sheets; more accurate line placement between
strongly contrasting map units, such as organic soils and adjoining map units on uplands; and better registration of soil
lines to drainage on the photographic image.
This supplement provides a record of all significant changes and should be used with the published soil survey. All
changes are arranged by atlas sheet number and section number. Please check to see if there are changes on the atlas sheet of
interest. Photocopies of portions of soil map sheets are available upon request.
The recompiled maps were digitized in accordance with Soil Survey Geographic (SSURGO) database standards and the amendment
to the soil survey area memorandum of understanding. The digitized soil maps are the official copy for NRCS and USDA
programs.
Example Soil Survey Geographic Data Certification (Exhibit 647-5)
EXAMPLE - Modify to fit the survey
SPATIAL DATA
- Digitizing meets the NRCS standards and specifications as described in
Part 647.07 NSSH.
- Quality control included a ____________________ (100% edit by MLRA soil survey office, for example).
- Quality assurance included ______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________(___edit by the MLRA regional office and __ by the NCGC, for
example).
- Soil and survey boundaries are digitized within a ________(0.01-inch (0.254 mm),for example) line width of the
published or revised soil survey.
- Where a soil area boundary line intersects a quadrangle boundary, the line matches the line in the adjoining
quadrangle within 0.01 inch (0.254 mm) measured centerline to centerline.
- Map data are stored in a _________________(vector, for example) format.
- Map data are in _____________________( Digital Line Graph optional, for example) format.
- Digital Line Graph optional format files contain major/minor pairs in area records. A conversion legend is
provided for each Digital Line Graph file. Files have been properly named.
- Digital soil data sets are in or have been formatted into _____-minute quadrangle format.
- Map data have been sent to the National Cartography and Geospatial Center for archiving.
ATTRIBUTE DATA
- Data base tables are current and accurate.
- Data base tables have been sent to the National Cartography and Geospatial Center for archiving.
METADATA
Metadata template has been completed and sent to the National Cartography and Geospatial Center for archiving.
I certify that the data have passed a 100 percent state
edit.
___________________________________________________________________________________________
State Soil Scientist
Date
___________________________________________________________________________________________
MLRA Regional Office Leader
Date
I certify that the data meets all of the above certification
specifications and are ready for archiving and distribution.
___________________________________________________________________________________________
State Conservationist
Date
DLG Major and Minor Codes for Soil Survey Publication (Exhibit 647-6)
| Label |
Major |
Minor |
Description |
| HILL |
900 |
303 |
Prominent hill or peak (obsolete) |
| SPRN |
905 |
300 |
Spring |
| AWEL |
905 |
302 |
Artesian well |
| IWEL |
905 |
329 |
Irrigation well |
| PDDR |
905 |
222 |
Perennial double line stream (label)
(obsolete) |
| PSDR |
905 |
223 |
Perennial single line stream |
| INDR |
905 |
224 |
Intermittent stream |
| UCDR |
905 |
228 |
Unclassified stream |
| DEND |
953 |
0xxx |
Drainage end, where x=angle of rotation in 5
degree increments, measured counter clockwise from the
feature origin assigned parallel to the horizontal map
neatline. |
| DCAN |
905 |
225 |
Double line canal (label) (obsolete) |
| DDIT |
905 |
226 |
Perennial drainage and/or irrigation ditch |
| IDIT |
905 |
227 |
Intermittent drainage and/or irrigation
ditch |
| UCDIT |
905 |
229 |
Unclassified drainage and/or irrigation
ditch |
| FPOOL |
909 |
222 |
Flood pool line |
| CANB |
909 |
197 |
Canada boundary |
| MEXB |
909 |
198 |
Mexico boundary |
| WATB |
909 |
199 |
Open water boundary |
| SB |
951 |
210 |
State boundary |
| CB |
952 |
211 |
County boundary |
| INCB |
|
|
Incorporated city (obsolete, use civil
division symbol) |
| CIVB |
909 |
100 |
Civil township, district, precinct, or
barrio boundary |
| NFOR |
909 |
104 |
National forest boundary |
| NPAR |
909 |
103 |
National park boundary |
| NSCE |
909 |
106 |
National scenic waterway, riverway, wild &
scenic river or wilderness |
| NWIL |
909 |
105 |
National wildlife refuge, game reserve, or
fish hatchery boundary |
| SFOR |
909 |
132 |
State forest boundary |
| SPAR |
909 |
130 |
State park boundary |
| SWIL |
909 |
131 |
State wildlife refuge, game reserve, or fish
hatchery boundary |
| CPAR |
909 |
102 |
City, county, or private park boundary |
| TICK |
930 |
301 |
State coordinate tick |
| FARM |
909 |
218 |
Land grant, experiment station, or farm
boundary |
| LCT |
930 |
1 |
Land grant land division corner, center (obsolete) |
| LSE |
930 |
2 |
Land grant land division corner, SE
(obsolete) |
| LNW |
930 |
3 |
Land grant land division corner, NW
(obsolete) |
| LNE |
930 |
4 |
Land grant land division corner, NE
(obsolete) |
| LSW |
930 |
5 |
Land grant land division corner, SW
(obsolete) |
| LSESE |
930 |
6 |
Land grant land division corner, SESW
(obsolete) |
| LSWNW |
930 |
7 |
Land grant land division corner, SWNW
(obsolete) |
| LSENE |
930 |
8 |
Land grant land division corner, SENE
(obsolete) |
| LNENW |
930 |
9 |
Land grant land division corner, NENW
(obsolete) |
| SCT |
930 |
10 |
Section land division corner, center |
| SSE |
930 |
11 |
Section land division corner, SE |
| SNW |
930 |
12 |
Section land division corner, NW |
| SNE |
930 |
13 |
Section land division corner, NE |
| SSW |
930 |
14 |
Section land division corner, SW |
| SSESW |
930 |
15 |
Section land division corner, SESW |
| SSWNW |
930 |
16 |
Section land division corner, SWNW |
| SSENE |
930 |
17 |
Section land division corner, SENE |
| SNENW |
930 |
18 |
Section land division corner, SENW |
| SLAB1 |
930 |
301 |
Section label, 1 |
| SLAB2 |
930 |
302 |
Section label, 2 |
| SLAB3 |
930 |
303 |
Section label, 3 |
| SLAB4 |
930 |
304 |
Section label, 4 |
| SLAB5 |
930 |
305 |
Section label, 5 |
| SLAB6 |
930 |
306 |
Section label, 6 |
| SLAB7 |
930 |
307 |
Section label, 7 |
| SLAB8 |
930 |
308 |
Section label, 8 |
| SLAB9 |
930 |
309 |
Section label, 9 |
| SLAB10 |
930 |
310 |
Section label, 10 |
| SLAB11 |
930 |
311 |
Section label, 11 |
| SLAB12 |
930 |
312 |
Section label, 12 |
| SLAB13 |
930 |
313 |
Section label, 13 |
| SLAB14 |
930 |
314 |
Section label, 14 |
| SLAB15 |
930 |
315 |
Section label, 15 |
| SLAB16 |
930 |
316 |
Section label, 16 |
| SLAB17 |
930 |
317 |
Section label, 17 |
| SLAB18 |
930 |
318 |
Section label, 18 |
| SLAB19 |
930 |
319 |
Section label, 19 |
| SLAB20 |
930 |
320 |
Section label, 20 |
| SLAB21 |
930 |
321 |
Section label, 21 |
| SLAB22 |
930 |
322 |
Section label, 22 |
| SLAB23 |
930 |
323 |
Section label, 23 |
| SLAB24 |
930 |
324 |
Section label, 24 |
| SLAB25 |
930 |
325 |
Section label, 25 |
| SLAB26 |
930 |
326 |
Section label, 26 |
| SLAB27 |
930 |
327 |
Section label, 27 |
| SLAB28 |
930 |
328 |
Section label, 28 |
| SLAB29 |
930 |
329 |
Section label, 29 |
| SLAB30 |
930 |
330 |
Section label, 30 |
| SLAB31 |
930 |
331 |
Section label, 31 |
| SLAB32 |
930 |
332 |
Section label, 32 |
| SLAB33 |
930 |
333 |
Section label, 33 |
| SLAB34 |
930 |
334 |
Section label, 34 |
| SLAB35 |
930 |
335 |
Section label, 35 |
| SLAB36 |
930 |
336 |
Section label, 36 |
| LLABXXX |
903 |
3001 |
Land grant labels, XXX=label value |
| LIMT |
909 |
219 |
Limit of soil survey |
| NEAT |
909 |
220 |
Field sheet matchline and neatline |
| PPUB |
909 |
221 |
Previously published survey boundary |
| AIRP |
909 |
403 |
Airport or airfield boundary (obsolete) |
| AIRS |
920 |
311 |
Small airport or airfield symbol |
| CEME |
909 |
420 |
Cemetery boundary (obsolete) |
| CEMS |
900 |
320 |
Small cemetery symbol |
| CROS |
900 |
321 |
Cemetery cross (obsolete) |
| OILF |
920 |
421 |
Oil field boundary (obsolete) |
| FENC |
920 |
206 |
Fence (obsolete) |
| PIPE |
919 |
201 |
Pipeline (obsolete) |
| LINE |
919 |
202 |
Power transmission line (obsolete) |
| DVRD |
919 |
214 |
Divided road (Normally not shown) |
| UDRD |
917 |
215 |
Undivided road (Normally not shown) |
| FRRD |
917 |
216 |
Farm or ranch road (Normally not shown) |
| ROUT |
917 |
217 |
Reservation, park, or military route |
| VTRL |
970 |
212 |
Vehicle trail (Normally not shown) |
| PTRL |
970 |
211 |
Pedestrian trail (Normally not shown) |
| RAIL |
918 |
201 |
Railroad (obsolete) |
| LVWR |
920 |
205 |
Levee with road (obsolete) |
| LVXR |
920 |
204 |
Levee without road (obsolete) |
| LVRR |
920 |
207 |
Levee with railroad (obsolete) |
| MDAM |
905 |
406 |
Medium or small dam (obsolete) |
| CHUR |
920 |
402 |
Church |
| OREL |
920 |
404 |
Other religious structure |
| HOUS |
920 |
305 |
Farmstead, house |
| SCHL |
920 |
403 |
School |
| LTHS |
920 |
306 |
Lighthouse |
| HIST |
920 |
301 |
Historical marker |
| LOOK |
920 |
614 |
Lookout tower |
| PTANK |
920 |
308 |
Petroleum storage tank |
| WTANK |
920 |
310 |
Water storage tank |
| GWEL |
920 |
606 |
Gas and oil well |
| WIND |
905 |
305 |
Windmill |
| LOCO |
920 |
312 |
Located object |
| SOIS |
900 |
319 |
Soil sample site |
Symbol and Font Specifications (Exhibit 647-7)
[This material is available from the National Cartography and Geospatial Center.]
Sample DLG File for Cultural Features (Exhibit 647-8)
USDA-NRCS DLG DATA - CHARACTER FORMAT -
8-13-96 VERSION
BALTIMORE WEST 2, MD 1996 12000
USDA/NRCS SSURGO DATA; NAD83
3 1 18 2 3.04800000000D-01 4 0 4
1
0.000000000000000D+00 0.000000000000000D+00
0.000000000000000D+00
0.000000000000000D+00 0.000000000000000D+00
0.000000000000000D+00
0.000000000000000D+00 0.000000000000000D+00
0.000000000000000D+00
0.000000000000000D+00 0.000000000000000D+00
0.000000000000000D+00
0.000000000000000D+00 0.000000000000000D+00
0.000000000000000D+00
1.00000000000D+00 0.00000000000D+00 0.00000000000D+00
0.00000000000D+00
SW 39.250000
-76.750000 348994.40 4345979.27
NW 39.375000 -76.750000 349262.94
4359852.69
NE 39.375000 -76.625000 360030.47
4359651.44
SE 39.250000 -76.625000 359781.12
4345778.20
SPECIAL_FEATURES 0 14 14 01 2 2 010 13
13 1
N 1 349128.58 4352915.94 0 2 0 0
0
1 3
N 2 354517.16 4352813.50 0 2 0 0
0
4 -1
N 3 349262.94 4359852.69 0 2 0 0
0
·
3 2
N 4 354646.72 4359750.20 0 2 0 0
0
·
4 -2
N 5 354639.32
4359415.28 0 1 0 0 0
5
N 6 352481.26 4352852.22 0 1 0 0
0
·
5
N 7 352613.48
4358404.67 0 2 0 0 0
6 -6
N 8 354464.08 4354664.80 0 2 0 0
0
7 -7
N 9 352643.56 4359387.44 0 2 0 0
0
8 -8
N 10 354510.25 4357649.49 0 2 0 0
0
9 -9
N 11 354525.30 4356570.02 0 2 0 0
0
10 -10
N 12 352618.94 4355473.65 0 2 0 0
0
11 -11
N 13 353879.72 4354574.56 0 2 0 0
0
12 -12
N 14 354231.07 4356074.91 0 2 0 0
0
13 -13
A 1 348128.55
4351813.06 0 4 0 1 0 0
1 4 -2 -3
0 0
A 2 351888.83 4356332.41 0 4 0 0 0
0
·
1 3 2 -4
L 1 1 2 1
0 2 0 0
349128.58 4352915.94 354517.16 4352813.50
L 2 3 4 0 1 2 0 0
349262.94 4359852.69 354646.72 4359750.20
L 3 1 3 0 1 2 0 0
349128.58 4352915.94 349262.94 4359852.69
L 4 2 4 1 0 2 0 0
354517.16 4352813.50 354646.72 4359750.20
L 5 5 6 0 0 9 1 0
354639.32 4359415.28 353796.13 4359433.42 352595.10
4359452.90
352574.99 4358399.09 352559.58 4357500.54 352540.89
4356332.37
352519.10 4355081.30 352492.89 4353546.81 352481.26
4352852.22
L 6 7 7 0 0 2 1 0
352613.48 4358404.67 352613.48 4358404.67
974 26
L 7 8 8 0 0 2 1 0
354464.08 4354664.80 354464.08 4354664.80
974 129
L 8 9 9 0 0 2 1 0
352643.56 4359387.44 352643.56 4359387.44
974 140
L 9 10 10 0 0 2 1 0
354510.25 4357649.49 354510.25 4357649.49
974 140
L 10 11 11 0 0 2 1 0
354525.30 4356570.02 354525.30 4356570.02
974 129
L 11 12 12 0 0 2 1 0
352618.94 4355473.65 352618.94 4355473.65
974 26
L 12 13 13 0 0 2 1 0
353879.72 4354574.56 353879.72 4354574.56
920 402
L 13 14 14 0 0 2 1 0
354231.07 4356074.91 354231.07 4356074.91
920 403
Sample Attribute File for Cultural Features (Exhibit 647-9)
| 1 |
|
|
|
| 2 |
|
|
|
| 3 |
|
|
|
| 4 |
|
|
|
| 5 |
952 |
5 |
CB005 |
| 6 |
974 |
26 |
S26 |
| 7 |
974 |
129 |
S129 |
| 8 |
974 |
140 |
S140 |
| 9 |
974 |
140 |
S140 |
| 10 |
974 |
129 |
S129 |
| 11 |
974 |
26 |
S26 |
| 12 |
920 |
402 |
CHUR |
| 13 |
920 |
403 |
SCHL |
Map Finishing Checklist (Exhibit 647-10)
Soil Survey Area Name:
Publication Map Sheet Number ___________ of _____
Field Sheet Numbers:___________
USGS Quadrangle Name:
Scale 1:_________
UTM zone ____and datum_____
SW Corner Coordinate Values Lat___/___/___, Long:___/___/___
Editor’s Name
Adjoining Sheet Number and Quadrangle Name:
Date match Completed:
North:______________
__________
East:_______________
__________
South:______________
__________
West:_______________
__________
___ All features join from map to map
Marginalia
___ Join notes are present and correct
___ Range and township tic and values are present and correct
___ Soil Survey Area Title is correct and accurately placed
___ Publication sheet number is correct
___ Source note is accurate and correctly located
Culture
___ All cultural features appearing on the proof plots are approved in the NRCS-SOI-37A and are the correct symbol and
line weight
___ All boundaries are indicated in the appropriate line symbol
___ All road emblems are correct and accurately placed
___ Section corners and number have been correctly indicated
___ All cultural features match the publication imagery
___ DLG file containing all cultural information is correct and properly named
Hydrography
___ All hydrographic features appearing on the proof plots are approved in the NRCS-SOI- 37A and are the correct symbol
and line weight
___ All hydrographic features match the publication imagery
___ Hydrographic features do not coincide with other publication features
___ All lines are complete without skips or overshoots
___ DLG file containing the hydrographic information is correct and properly named
Soils
___ Soil data is derived from a copy of the certified Soil Survey Geographic Data Base (SSURGO)
___ Soil labels are placed horizontally where space permits
___ All soil lines are complete without skips or overshoots
___ All leaders are properly positioned to insure correct association with the soil unit they represent
___ Soil lines and labels do not coincide with other features
___ All areas of water are labeled with the appropriate soil map unit label.
Text
___ All text is correctly spelled and placed in the correct location
___ All text is in the appropriate font style and size for all named features
Materials
The following materials are available:
___ Compilation materials including photobases and overlays
___ Checkplots of each publication map with correct features in black or blue ink
___ USGS Topographic quadrangles
___ Index to publication maps
___ Final correlation document
___ Certification letter
___ 8 mm tape, computer disk, or electronic file with DLG’s and postscript files
Map Finishing Certification (Exhibit 647-11)
_________________________________________________________________
Soil Survey Name
Map Finishing
- The map finishing was performed according to the NRCS specifications as described in Part 647, Soil Map
Development, 2000.
- The soil data are derived from the certified Soil Survey Geographic Database.
- A 100 percent edit has been completed.
I certify that all of the above statements are true.
_________________________________________________________________
MLRA Regional Office Leader
Date
Glossary (Exhibit 647-12)
Acetate - A plastic film of 3 or 4 mil thickness used as an editing overlay.
Ad hoc features - Ad hoc features are special surface soil features too small to delineate at the
mapping scale, but are large enough and contrasting enough to significantly influence use and management. Ad hoc features
are not mapped when the feature they represent is a common component in the map unit. Features that are common components
in the map unit should be named, described, and located on the landscape in the map unit description. When mapped, ad hoc
features are represented as points or lines.
Approved symbols - Soil survey, cultural, and hydrographic features that have been approved and
certified during progressive or final correlation.
Arc-node digitizing - One method of digitizing points, lines, and polygons using a digitizing tablet.
Digitizing a line starts at a node, intersection, or junction and stops at the next node, intersection, or junction, then
the coordinates are recorded. Also called line-segment digitizing.
Attribute - A characteristic of a geographic feature. Attribute data are linked or related to a
feature by an identifier. For example, a soil symbol is linked to an attribute that describes the percentage of slope for
the map unit area.
Base map - Planimetric line maps used to plan or to compile data for production of specialized
maps.
Coinciding features - Any features that occupy the same place in space.
Compilation - The production of a new map from existing maps, aerial photographs, surveys, new data,
and other sources. The new map is generally a geodetically controlled map.
Compilation bases - Base maps, to which previously collected data is transferred, used for map
finishing or digitizing. They are generally orthophotographs or rectified photographs.
Contact print - A print made by contacting the emulsion surface of an original negative with
photographic film or paper to make print. Generally a negative is contacted with positive photographic paper or film for
print.
Continuous tone - A photographic term that denotes an image which has not been screened and contains
unbroken, gradient tones from black to white, and may either be in negative or positive form. Aerial photographs are an
example of a continuous tone image.
Conventional features - Conventional features are natural or manmade objects or situations that are
represented graphically with standard symbols and adopted by Federal mapping agencies. These features are referred to as
cultural and hydrographic features.
Coordinate pair - A set of cartesian coordinates describing the two-dimensional location of a point,
line, or polygon feature in relation to the common coordinate system of the database.
Cultural features - Any feature created or modified by humans
Degenerate line - A line that has zero length (i.e., it has two nodes with the same coordinate
values).
Digital - Of or relating to data in the form of numerical digits in binary form.
Digital Line Graph (DLG) - A comprehensive topological vector format data structure developed by the
U.S. Geological Survey. Often referred to as DLG, DLG-3, or DLG Optional format. Used for storing and distributing
digital data.
Digitizing - The process of converting information shown on an analog map into a digital format of x
and y coordinates for use in a computer.
Edge matching - An editing procedure to ensure that all features crossing adjacent map sheets have
the same edge locations, attribute descriptions, and feature classes.
Export - The process of transferring data or software from one system to another system.
Feature - A representation of a geographic entity, such as a line, point, or polygon.
Field mapping imagery - Rectified or nonrectified aerial photographs used for mapping soils or other
land features in the field. Field mapping media is generally a paper print with a surface which will take pencil or ink.
Sometimes referred to as field map sheet.
Field sheet - Any kind of map provided to field personnel for use in recording collected data.
Generally these are photographs of various kinds including mosaics, unrectified and rectified orthophotographs, and high
or low altitude flights in varying formats, sizes, and scales.
Film positive - A thin, flexible, transparent sheet of stable plastic material with a positive
image.
Geographic Information System (GIS) - A combination of software, hardware, data, and people used to
input store, manipulate, analyze, and display geographically referenced spatial and associated attribute information.
Geographic coordinates - A spherical coordinate system for defining the position of points on the
earth.
Georeference - The process of establishing the relationship between page coordinates on an analog map
and known real-world coordinates.
Halftone - The reproduction of continuous-tone photography through a crossline or contact screen that
converts the image into dots of various sizes.
Halftone negative - A halftone is any photomechanical printing surface or the impression in which
detail and tone values are represented by a series of evenly spaced dots of varying size and shape, varying in direct
proportion to the intensity of the tones they represent. Contrast with continuous tone. A negative is a photographic
image on film, plate or paper in which the subject tones to which the emulsion is sensitive are reversed or complementary.
A halftone negative is the combination of the definitions of the composite terms.
Hydrography - The science of the measurement, description, and mapping of the surface water of the
earth.
Index map - Maps that show the location or coverage of other maps. Examples are the soil survey map
sheet index and the USGS topographic quadrangle index.
Index to field map sheets - A map of a smaller scale on which is depicted the location of field map
sheets, an index to field map sheets is used for locating field map sheets and is used to reference to the publication
map sheets.
Label - A description of a feature.
Leaders - A short line pointing to a label. Used to lead the eye across a space too small or narrow
to contain the label.
Limit of soil survey - A boundary that marks the extent of soil survey mapping in a soil survey area.
A soil survey area is usually a county, but may consist of multiple counties, parts of counties, or coincide with other
political boundaries, physiographic boundaries, or general land office survey sections.
Line - A set of ordered coordinates that represents the shape of a geographic entity too narrow to be
displayed as an area.
Line-segment digitizing - See Arc-node digitizing.
Manual digitizing - The process of converting an analog map or other graphics display into a digital
format with the use of a digitizing tablet and manually entering coordinates with a cursor.
Manuscript - Synonymous with document
Map finishing - The final transfer of all map features to publication format by either manual
(scribing) or digital (plotting) methods. The end products of the process are press ready film negatives.
Metadata - Metadata are data about the content, quality, condition, and other characteristics of
data.
Mylar - A polyester film specially suitable for its mechanical strength and dimensional stability.
Provided in varying thicknesses.
Neatline - The line surrounding or limiting the image area of the map.
Negative - Film containing an image in which the values of the original are reversed so that the dark
areas appear light, and vise versa.
Node - The beginning or ending location of a line, the location where lines connect, or the location
where lines intersect.
Nominal scale - The actual scale (no rectification) at which photography is flown.
Orthophotography - An image in which individual parts have been shifted to correct displacements
caused by tip, tilt, and relief.
Orthophoto quadrangle - Maps prepared from high-resolution aerial photographs that are corrected to
eliminate the displacements of perspective, camera tilt, and terrain relief. They are scale true, meet national map
accuracy standards, and permit accurate linear or area measurements.
Photobase positive - A term generally used to describe halftone positive film print, prepared from a
halftone negative, which is used to compile soil mapping from field sheets. Photobase positives are sometimes referred to
as atlas sheets, preliminary compilation worksheets, and photobases. All refer to the materials that can be used to
scribe or digitize accurately.
Planimetric map - A large-scale map with all features projected perpendicularly onto a horizontal
datum plane so that horizontal distances can be measured on the map with accuracy.
Point - A single x, y coordinate for a geographic feature too small to be represented as an area or
line.
Polygon - A closed area that is described by a string of coordinates that represent the boundary of
the area. The beginning and ending points are the same. A series of attributes are usually assigned to the set of
boundary coordinates that make up the unit.
Positive - Film containing an image in which the dark and light values are the same as the original.
The reverse is a negative.
Publication index - A map developed using a county highway map as a base which depicts the layout of
a soil survey map sheets (index to map sheets for publication). It generally includes the publication sheet numbers that
are referenced with topographic quadrangles and longitude and latitude graticules.
Raster - A regular grid or array of cells covering a spatial area. A raster is often viewed as
consisting of rows and columns of grid cells.
Raster scanning - See Scanning.
Raster digitizing - See Scanning.
Resolution - The accuracy at which the location and shape of map features can be depicted for a given
map scale.
Scale - The relationship between a distance on a map and the corresponding distance on the earth.
Scanning - The process of using a device, generally referred to as a scanner, to capture a raster
copy of a map in a digital bit-map or binary format and saving it in a computer readable file. This process is also an
approach to convert black and white or color aerial photography into a digital format depicting up to 256 shades of gray
or a nearly infinite number of color shades and hues.
Source document - Any document that is used as a source for providing information. For example,
source document for compilation is the field sheet. For scan digitizing, it is the overlay to which the compiled
information has been transferred.
Special features - Symbols with unique definitions and uses that are standard to a specified group of
users, but not adopted by all mapping agencies. Examples of special features include those identified for soil survey and
SSURGO on the NRCS-SOI-37A legend.
Soil Survey Geographic (SSURGO) - The most detailed in scale of the three NRCS soil geographic
databases. Mapping is generally at scales of 1:12,000 or 1:24,000, but may range to 1:63,360 scale. It consists of
geo-referenced digital spatial data, metadata, and a tabular soil database, which gives the proportionate extent of the
component soils and their properties for each map unit.
Soil area - A delineation of the mapped soil unit. It is identified by a symbol. A soil boundary
depicts the limit of the soil area (polygon).
Soil legend - A list of the soil map symbols and their names.
Spatial data - Data pertaining to the location of geographical entities together with their spatial
dimensions. Spatial data are classified as point, line, and polygon.
Stable base material - Film material of sufficient thickness or chemical composition to be resistant
to physical dimensional changes caused by changes in temperature or humidity.
Text - Any lettered information that appears on maps.
Topology - A procedure that uses lists of features for explicitly defining spatial relationships. For
example, an area is defined by the chains (arcs) comprising its border.
United States National Cartographic Standards for Spatial Accuracy - The standards that define
spatial accuracy as it pertains to map products at scales of (NCSSA) 1:250,000 or larger produced by Federal agencies.
They supersede the National Map Accuracy Standards (NMAS) issued June 10, 1941, and most recently revised on June 17,
1947, by the former U.S. Bureau of the Budget.
Vector - A line showing the direction and distance between vertices. A vertex is the termination or
intersection of lines or curves.
Vector data - A form of digital data comprising x, y coordinate representations that are portrayed by
points, lines (strings of points), or polygons (closed lines).
Vector digitizing - See Arc-node digitizing (line-segment) definition.
SSURGO Metadata Template (Exhibit
647-13)
Identification Information
Citation
- Originator: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources
Conservation Service
- Publication Date: ___(1)___
- Title: Soil Survey Geographic (SSURGO) database for
__________(2)___________
- Publication Information
- Publication Place: Fort Worth, Texas
- Publisher: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources
Conservation Service
Description
Abstract: This data set is a digital soil survey and generally
is the most detailed level of soil geographic data developed by the
National Cooperative Soil Survey. The information was prepared by
digitizing maps, by compiling information onto a planimetric correct
base and digitizing, or by revising digitized maps using remotely sensed
and other information.
This data set consists of georeferenced digital map data and
computerized attribute data. The map data are in a __(3)__ minute
quadrangle format and include a detailed, field verified inventory of
soils and nonsoil areas that normally occur in a repeatable pattern on
the landscape and that can be cartographically shown at the scale
mapped. A special soil features layer (point and line features) is
required. This layer displays the location of features too small to
delineate at the mapping scale, but they are large enough and
contrasting enough to significantly influence use and management. The
soil map units are linked to attributes in the Map Unit Record
relational database, which gives the proportionate extent of the
component soils and their properties.
Purpose: SSURGO depicts information about the kinds and
distribution of soils on the landscape. The soil map and data used in
the SSURGO product were prepared by soil scientists as part of the
National Cooperative Soil Survey.
Supplemental Information: Digital versions of hydrography,
cultural features, and other associated layers that are not part of the
SSURGO data set may be available from the primary organization listed in
the Point of Contact.
Time Period of Content
- Single Date/Time
- Calendar Date: ____(4)_____
- Currentness Reference: publication date
Status
Progress: Complete
Maintenance and Update Frequency: As needed
Spatial Domain
- Bounding Coordinates
- West Bounding Coordinate: _______(5)_______
- East Bounding Coordinate: _______(6)_______
- North Bounding Coordinate: _______(7)_______
- South Bounding Coordinate: _______(8)_______
Keywords
- Theme
- Theme Keyword Thesaurus: None
- Theme Keyword: soil survey
- Theme Keyword: soils
- Theme Keyword: Soil Survey Geographic
- Theme Keyword: SSURGO
- Place
- Place Keyword Thesaurus: Counties and County Equivalents of the
States of the United States and the District of Columbia (FIPS Pub
6-3)
- Place Keyword: ________(9)______
- Place Keyword Thesaurus: Counties and County Equivalents of the
States of the United States and the District of Columbia (FIPS Pub
6-3)
- Place Keyword: ________(10)______
- Place Keyword Thesaurus: USGS Topographic Map Names Data Base
- Place Keyword: _____________(11)_____________
- Place Keyword: _____________(11)_____________
- Place Keyword: _____________(11)_____________
- Place Keyword: _____________(11)_____________
- Place Keyword: _____________(11)_____________
Access Constraints
None
Use Constraints
The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation
Service, should be acknowledged as the data source in products derived
from these data.
This data set is not designed for use as a primary regulatory tool in
permitting or citing decisions, but may be used as a reference source.
This is public information and may be interpreted by organizations,
agencies, units of government, or others based on needs; however, they
are responsible for the appropriate application. Federal, State, or
local regulatory bodies are not to reassign to the Natural Resources
Conservation Service any authority for the decisions that they make. The
Natural Resources Conservation Service will not perform any evaluations
of these maps for purposes related solely to State or local regulatory
programs.
Photographic or digital enlargement of these maps to scales greater
than at which they were originally mapped can cause misinterpretation of
the data. If enlarged, maps do not show the small areas of contrasting
soils that could have been shown at a larger scale. The depicted soil
boundaries, interpretations, and analysis derived from them do not
eliminate the need for onsite sampling, testing, and detailed study of
specific sites for intensive uses. Thus, these data and their
interpretations are intended for planning purposes only. Digital data
files are periodically updated. Files are dated, and users are
responsible for obtaining the latest version of the data.
Point of Contact
- Contact Organization Primary
- Contact Organization: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural
Resources Conservation Service
- Contact Position: State Soil Scientist
- Contact Address
- Address Type: mailing address
- Address: ____________(12)____________
- City: ____________(13)____________
- State or Province: ______(14)______
- Postal Code: ______(15)______
- Contact Voice Telephone: ______(16)______
- Contact Facsimile Telephone: ______(17)______
- Contact TDD/TTY Telephone: 202 720 7808
Cross Reference
- Citation
- Originator: U.S. Department of Agriculture, ______(18)______
- Publication Date: ______(19)______
- Title: Soil Survey of ______(20)______
- Geospatial Data Presentation Form: text, table, map
- Description
- Abstract: This soil survey contains information that can be
applied in managing farms and wetlands; in selecting sites for roads,
ponds, buildings, and other structures; and in judging the suitability
of tracts of land for farming, industry, and recreation.
- Purpose: This soil survey depicts information about the
kinds and distribution of soils on the landscape. The soil map and
data used in the SSURGO product were prepared by soil scientists as
part of the National Cooperative Soil Survey.
Data Quality Information
Attribute Accuracy
Attribute Accuracy Report: Attribute accuracy is tested by
manual comparison of the source with hard copy plots and/or symbolized
display of the map data on an interactive computer graphic system.
Selected attributes that cannot be visually verified on plots or on
screen are interactively queried and verified on screen. In addition,
the attributes are tested against a master set of valid attributes. All
attribute data conform to the attribute codes in the signed
classification and correlation document and amendment(s).
Logical Consistency Report: Certain node/geometry and topology
GT-polygon/chain relationships are collected or generated to satisfy
topological requirements (the GT-polygon corresponds to the soil
delineation). Some of these requirements include: chains must begin and
end at nodes, chains must connect to each other at nodes, chains do not
extend through nodes, left and right GT-polygons are defined for each
chain element and are consistent throughout, and the chains representing
the limits of the file (neatline) are free of gaps. The tests of logical
consistency are performed using vendor software. The neatline is
generated by connecting the explicitly entered four corners of the
digital file. All data outside the enclosed region are ignored and all
data crossing these geographically straight lines are clipped at the
neatline. Data within a specified tolerance of the neatline are snapped
to the neatline. Neatline straightening aligns the digitized edges of
the digital data with the generated neatline (i.e., with the
longitude/latitude lines in geographic coordinates). All internal
polygons are tested for closure with vendor software and are checked on
hard copy plots. All data are checked for common soil lines (i.e.,
adjacent polygons with the same label). Quadrangles are edge matched
within the soil survey area and edge locations generally do not deviate
from centerline to centerline by more than 0.01 inch. ______(20a)______
Completeness Report: A map unit is a collection of areas
defined and named the same in terms of their soil and/or nonsoil areas.
Each map unit differs in some respect from all others in a survey area
and is uniquely identified. Each individual area is delineated as an
area, point, or line segment. Each map unit consists of one or more
components.
Soil scientists identify small areas of soils or miscellaneous (nonsoil)
areas that have properties and behavior significantly different than the
named soils in the surrounding map unit. These minor components may be
indicated as standard landform or miscellaneous surface features or as
ad hoc features. If they have a minimal effect on use and management, or
could not be precisely located, they may not be indicated on the map.
Specific National Cooperative Soil Survey standards and procedures
were used in the classification of soils, design and naming of map
units, and location of other special soil features. These standards are
outlined in Agricultural Handbook 18, Soil Survey Manual, 1993, USDA,
SCS; Agricultural Handbook 436, Soil Taxonomy, 2nd edition, Soil Survey
Staff, 1999, USDA, NRCS; and all Amendments; Keys to Soil Taxonomy, Soil
Survey Staff, (current issue); National Soil Survey Handbook, title
430-VI.
The actual composition and interpretive purity of the map unit
delineations were based on data collected by scientists during the
course of preparing the soil maps. Adherence to National Cooperative
Soil Survey standards and procedures is based on peer review, quality
control, and quality assurance. Quality control is outlined in the
memorandum of understanding for the soil survey area and in documents
that reside with the Natural Resources Conservation Service state soil
scientist. Four kinds of map units are used in soil surveys:
consociations, complexes, associations, and undifferentiated groups.
Consociations Consociations are named for the dominant
soil. In a consociation, a single soil taxon and similar soils
dominate delineated areas. At least one half of the pedons in each
delineation are of the same soil component, or are so similar to the
named soil that major interpretations are not affected significantly.
The total amount of dissimilar inclusions of other components in a map
unit generally does not exceed about 15 percent if limiting and 25
percent if non-limiting. A single component of a dissimilar limiting
inclusion generally does not exceed 10 percent if very contrasting.
Complexes and associations Complexes and associations are
named for two or more dissimilar components with the dominant
component listed first. They occur in a regularly repeating pattern.
The major components of a complex cannot be mapped separately at a
scale of about 1:24,000. The major components of an association can be
separated at a scale of about 1:24,000. In each delineation of either
a complex or an association, each major component is normally present,
though their proportions may vary appreciably from one delineation to
another. The total amount of inclusions in a map unit that are
dissimilar to any of the major components does not exceed 15 percent
if limiting and 25 percent if non-limiting. A single kind of
dissimilar limiting inclusion usually does not exceed 10 percent.
Undifferentiated groups Undifferentiated groups consist of
two or more components that do not always occur together in the same
delineation, but are included in the same named map unit because use
and management are the same or similar for common uses. Every
delineation has at least one of the major components and some may have
all of them. The same principles regarding proportion of inclusions
apply to undifferentiated groups as to consociations.
Minimum documentation consists of three complete soil profile
descriptions that are collected for each soil added to the legend, one
additional per 3,000 acres mapped; three 10 observation transects for
each map unit, one additional 10 point transect per 3,000 acres.
A defined standard or level of confidence in the interpretive purity
of the map unit delineations is attained by adjusting the kind and
intensity of field investigations. Field investigations and data
collection are carried out in sufficient detail to name map units and to
identify accurately and consistently areas of about ___(21)___ acres.
Positional Accuracy
- Horizontal Positional Accuracy
- Horizontal Positional Accuracy Report: The accuracy of
these digital data is based upon their compilation to base maps that
meet National Map Accuracy Standards. The difference in positional
accuracy between the soil boundaries and special soil features
locations in the field and their digitized map location is unknown.
The locational accuracy of soil delineations on the ground varies with
the transition between map units. For example, on long gently sloping
landscapes the transition occurs gradually over many feet. Where
landscapes change abruptly from steep to level, the transition will be
very narrow. Soil delineation boundaries and special soil features
generally were digitized within 0.01 inch of their locations on the
digitizing source. The digital map elements are edge matched between
data sets. The data along each quadrangle edge are matched against the
data for the adjacent quadrangle. Edge locations generally do not
deviate from centerline to centerline by more than 0.01 inch.
Lineage
- Source Information
- Source Citation
- Originator: ___________(22)___________
- Publication Date: ___(23)___
- Title: ___________(24)___________
- Geospatial Data Presentation Form: ___________(25)___________
- Publication Information
- Publication Place: ___________(26)___________
- Publisher: ___________(27)___________
- Source Scale Denominator: ___(28)___
- Type of Source Media: ___(29)___
- Source Time Period of Content
- Single Date/Time
- Calendar Date: ___(30)___
- Source Currentness Reference: ___________(31)___________
- Source Citation Abbreviation: ___________(32)___________
- Source Contribution: ___________(33)___________
- Source Citation
- Originator: ___________(22)___________
- Publication Date: ___(23)___
- Title: ___________(24)___________
- Geospatial Data Presentation Form: ___________(25)___________
- Publication Information
- Publication Place: ___________(26)___________
- Publisher: ___________(27)___________
- Source Scale Denominator: ___(28)___
- Type of Source Media: ___(29)___
- Source Time Period of Content
- Range of Dates/Times
- Beginning Date: ___(30a)___
- Ending Date: ___(30b)___
- Source Currentness Reference: __________________(31)
__________________
- Source Citation Abbreviation: ___________(32)___________
- Source Contribution: _______________________(33)
_______________________
- Process Step
- Process Description: _______________________(34)
_______________________
- Process Date: ___(35)___
- Source Used Citation Abbreviation: ___________(36)___________
- Process Step
- Process Description: _______________________(34)
_______________________
- Process Date: ___(35)___
- Source Used Citation Abbreviations: ___________(36)___________
Spatial Data Organization Information
Direct Spatial Reference Method: Vector
Spatial Reference Information
Horizontal Coordinate System Definition
- Planar
- Grid Coordinate System Name: Universal Transverse Mercator
- Universal Transverse Mercator
- UTM Zone Number: ___(37)___
- Transverse Mercator
- Scale Factor at Central Meridian: 0.9996
- Longitude of Central Meridian: ___(38)___
- Latitude of Projection Origin: 0.0
- False Easting: 500000
- False Northing: 0.0
- Planar Coordinate Information
- Planar Coordinate Encoding Method: coordinate pair
- Coordinate Representation
- Abscissa Resolution: ___(39)___
- Ordinate Resolution: ___(40)___
- Planar Distance Units: meters
Geodetic Model
- Horizontal Datum Name: ___(41)___
- Ellipsoid Name: ___(42)___
- Semi-major Axis: ___(43)___
- Denominator of Flattening Ratio: ___(44)___
Entity and Attribute Information
Overview Description
Entity and Attribute Overview: Map Unit Delineations are
either closed polygons, points, or line segments that may be dominated
by a single soil or nonsoil component plus allowable similar or
dissimilar soils, or they can be geographic mixtures of groups of soils
and/or non-soil areas.
The map unit symbol uniquely identifies each delineated map unit.
Each symbol is linked to a map unit name. The map unit symbol in the
spatial map data is linked to related tabular attribute data in the Map
Unit Record tables via the mukey data element. The map unit
symbols are not carried within the modified Digital Line Graph file;
however, they are made available in a companion attribute file. The
attribute file links the minor codes in the Digital Line Graph files to
the map unit symbols.
Map Unit Delineations are described by the Map Unit Record database.
This attribute database gives the proportionate extent of the mapunit
components and the properties for each component. The database contains
both estimated and measured data on the physical and chemical soil
properties and soil interpretations for engineering, water management,
recreation, agronomic, woodland, range, and wildlife uses of the soil.
The Map Unit Record database consists of the following relational
tables:
(Names in parentheses are the database table names.)
Component (component)
Component Canopy Cover (cocanopycover)
Component Crop Yield (cocropyld)
Component Diagnostic Features (codiagfeatures)
Component Ecological Classification (coecoclass)
Component Erosion Accelerated (coerosionacc)
Component Existing Plants (coeplants)
Component Forest Productivity (coforprod)
Component Forest Productivity - Other (coforprodo)
Component Geomorphic Description (cogeomordesc)
Component Hydric Criteria (cohydriccriteria)
Component Interpretation (cointerp)
Component Microrelief Surface Morphometry (cosurfmorphmr)
Component Month (comonth)
Component Parent Material (copm)
Component Parent Material Group (copmgrp)
Component Potential Windbreak (copwindbreak)
Component Restrictions (corestrictions)
Component Slope Shape Surface Morphometry (cosurfmorphss)
Component Soil Moisture (cosoilmoist)
Component Soil Temperature (cosoiltemp)
Component Surface Fragments (cosurffrags)
Component Taxonomic Family Mineralogy (cotaxfmmin)
Component Taxonomic Family Other Criteria (cotxfmother)
Component Taxonomic Moisture Class (cotaxmoistcl)
Component Text (cotext)
Component Three Dimensional Surface Morphometry (cosurfmorphgc)
Component Trees To Manage (cotreestomng)
Component Two Dimensional Surface Morphometry (cosurfmorphpp)
Distribution Interp Metadata (distinterpmd)
Distribution Legend Metadata (distlegendmd)
Distribution Metadata (distmd)
Domain Detail Static Metadata (mdstatdomdet)
Domain Master Static Metadata (mdstatdommas)
Horizon (chorizon)
Horizon AASHTO (chaashto)
Horizon Consistence (chconsistence)
Horizon Designation Suffix (chdesgnsuffix)
Horizon Fragments (chfrags)
Horizon Pores (chpores)
Horizon Structure (chstruct)
Horizon Structure Group (chstructgrp)
Horizon Text (chtext)
Horizon Texture (chtexture)
Horizon Texture Group (chtexturegrp)
Horizon Texture Modifier (chtexturemod)
Horizon Unified (chunified)
Index Detail Static Metadata (mdstatidxdet)
Index Master Static Metadata (mdstatidxmas)
Legend (legend)
Legend Area Overlap (laoverlap)
Legend Text (legendtext)
Mapunit (mapunit)
Mapunit Aggregated Attribute (muaggatt)
Mapunit Area Overlap (muaoverlap)
Mapunit Crop Yield (mucropyld)
Mapunit Text (mutext)
Relationship Detail Static Metadata (mdstatrshipdet)
Relationship Master Static Metadata (mdstatrshipmas)
Table Column Static Metadata (mdstattabcols)
Table Static Metadata (mdstattabs)
Additional metadata related to this database is available at the
following website:
http://nasis.nrcs.usda.gov/documents/metadata/ssurgo2_0/.
Special features are described in the feature table. It includes a
feature label, feature name, and feature definition for each special and
ad hoc feature in the survey area.
Entity and Attribute Detail Citation
U.S. Department of Agriculture. 1999. Soil Taxonomy: A basic system
of soil classification for making and interpreting soil surveys. 2nd
edition. Soil Surv. Staff, Natural Resources Conservation Service,
U.S. Dep. Agric. Handb. 436.
U.S. Department of Agriculture. 1998. Keys to Soil Taxonomy. Soil
Surv. Staff, Natural Resources Conservation Service.
U.S. Department of Agriculture. 2001. National Soil Survey
Handbook, title 430-VI. Soil Surv. Staff, Natural Resources
Conservation Service.
U.S. Department of Agriculture. 1993. Soil Survey Manual. Soil Surv.
Staff, U.S. Dep. Agric. Handb. 18.
U.S. Department of Agriculture. 1994. Soil Survey Geographic (SSURGO)
Data Base: Data use information. Soil Conserv. Serv.
U.S. Department of Agriculture. National Soil Information System (NASIS).
Natural Resources Conservation Service.
Detail Description
- Entity Type
- Entity Type Label: Special Soil Features
- Entity Type Definition: Special Soil Features represent
soil, nonsoil, or landform features that are not otherwise digitized
as soil delineations (area, line, and point features).
- Entity Type Definition Source: U.S. Department of
Agriculture. 1993. Soil Survey Manual. Soil Surv. Staff, U.S. Dep.
Agric. Handb. 18.
- Attribute
- Attribute Label: Special Soil Features Codes
- Attribute Definition: Special Soil Features Codes represent
specific Special Soil Features. These features are identified with a
major code, a minor code, and a descriptive label. The codes and label
are assigned to the point or line assigned to represent the feature on
published maps.
- Attribute Definition Source: U.S. Department of
Agriculture. 1993. Soil Survey Manual. Soil Surv. Staff, U.S. Dep.
Agric. Handb. 18; U.S. Department of Agriculture. National Soil Survey
Handbook, title 430-VI, part 647. Nat. Res. Conserv. Serv.
- Attribute Domain Values
- Codeset Name: Classification and Correlation of the Soils of
_____(45)_____
- Codeset Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources
Conservation Service
Distribution Information
Distributor
- Contact Organization Primary
- Contact Organization: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural
Resources Conservation Service, National Cartography and Geospatial
Center
- Contact Address
- Address Type: mailing address
- Address: P.O. Box 6567
- City: Fort Worth
- State or Province: Texas
- Postal Zone: 76115-0567
- Contact Voice Telephone: 800 672 5559
- Contact Facsimile Telephone: 817 509 3469
- Resource Description: ______(46)______ SSURGO
Distribution Liability: Although these data have been
processed successfully on a computer system at the U.S. Department of
Agriculture, no warranty expressed or implied is made by the Agency
regarding the utility of the data on any other system, nor shall the act
of distribution constitute any such warranty. The U.S. Department of
Agriculture will warrant the delivery of this product in computer
readable format, and will offer appropriate adjustment of credit when
the product is determined unreadable by correctly adjusted computer
input peripherals, or when the physical medium is delivered in damaged
condition. Request for adjustment of credit must be made within 90 days
from the date of this shipment from the ordering site.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in
all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national
origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual
orientation, and marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases
apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require
alternative means for communication of program information (Braille,
large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at
202-720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination,
write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326W, Whitten
Building, 14th and Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or
call 202-720-5964 (voice or TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider
and employer.
Standard Order Process
- Digital Form
- Digital Transfer Information
- Format Name: DLG
- Format Version Date:___(47)___
- Format Specification: Optional
- Format Content Information: spatial and keys
- Transfer Size: ___(48)___
- Digital Transfer Option
- Offline Option
- Offline Media: CD-ROM
- Recording Format: ISO 9660 Level 1
Digital Form
- Digital Transfer Information
- Format Name: ASCII
- Format Content Information: keys and attributes
- Transfer Size: ___(49)___
- Digital Transfer Option
- Offline Option
- Offline Media: CD-ROM
- Recording Format: ISO 9660 Level 1
Fees: The charge is $50 for a CD-ROM that contains one or more
data sets. A data set is one soil survey area in (50) quadrangle format
and includes both spatial and attribute data.
Ordering Instructions: Call or write to organizations listed
under Distributor. Spatial line data and locations of special feature
symbols are in DLG-3 optional format. Digital line graph files contain
major and minor code pairs in area and line records. A conversion legend
is provided for each digital line graph file. Soil map symbols and
special feature labels are available in a companion ASCII attribute
file. The Map Unit Interpretations Record attribute soil data are
available in variable length, tab delimited, ASCII file format.
Turnaround: 10 working days
Metadata Reference Information
- Metadata Date: ___(51)___
- Metadata Review Date: ___(52)___
- Metadata Contact
- Contact Organization Primary
- Contact Organization: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural
Resources Conservation Service
- Contact Position: State Soil Scientist
- Contract Address
- Address Type: mailing address
- Address: ___________(53)___________
- City: ___________(54)___________
- State or Province: __(55)__
- Postal Code: __(56)__
- Contact Voice Telephone: ___________(57)___________
- Contact Facsimile Telephone: ___________(58)___________
- Metadata Standard Name: Content Standards for Digital Geospatial
Metadata
- Metadata Standard Version: ___(59)___
Explanation of Template Metadata Numbered Elements
[Unless otherwise noted, all references refer to Federal
Geographic Data Committee. 1998. Content standards for digital
geospatial metadata. Federal Geographic Data Committee. Washington, DC.]
Numbers in Identification Information Section
1 - Publication Date: The date when the data set is published
or otherwise made available for release. Enter the year the data are
submitted for archiving and distribution. Enter the year in the date
format YYYY. Reference is from p. 53, sec. 8.2. Example:
Example - Publication Date: 1994.
2 - Title: The name by which the data set is known. Enter the
complete name of the soil survey area as defined in the memorandum of
understanding. Reference is from p. 53, sec. 8.4. Example:
Polk County, Iowa
3 - Quadrangle Format: Enter either 7.5 quadrangle format or
3.75 quadrangle format.
4 - Calendar Date: The year. Enter the year the data set is
submitted for archiving and distribution. This entry is the same as the
one from item 1. Enter the year in the date format YYYY. Reference is
from p. 56, sec. 9.1.1. Example:
Calendar Date: 1994
Bounding Coordinates The limits of coverage of a data set expressed
by latitude and longitude values in the order western-most,
eastern-most, northern-most, and southern-most. The bounding coordinates
are for the soil survey area.
5 - West Bounding Coordinate: Western-most coordinate of the
limit of coverage expressed in longitude. Enter the coordinate in
decimal degrees. Reference is from p. 5. Example:
West Bounding Coordinate: -93.750
6 - East Bounding Coordinate: Eastern-most coordinate of the
limit of coverage expressed in longitude. Enter the coordinate in
decimal degrees. Reference is from p. 5. Example:
East Bounding Coordinate: -93.250
7 - North Bounding Coordinate: Northern-most coordinate of the
limit of coverage expressed in latitude. Enter the coordinate in decimal
degrees. Reference is from p. 5. Example:
North Bounding Coordinate: 41.750
8 - South Bounding Coordinate: Southern-most coordinate of the
limit of coverage expressed in latitude. Enter the coordinate in decimal
degrees. Reference is from p. 5. Example:
South Bounding Coordinate: 41.375
9 - Place Keyword: The name of the state that the data set is
in. Enter multiple states as separate entries. Reference is from p. 7.
Example:
Place Keyword: Nevada
Place Keyword: Utah
10- Place Keyword: The name of the county that the data set is
in. Enter multiple counties as separate entries. Reference is from p. 7.
Example:
Place Keyword: Rains County
Place Keyword: Hopkins County
11 - Place Keyword: The name of the quadrangle in the data
set. Enter the USGS quadrangle name from the National Topographic Map
Names database. The quadrangle numbers are available from the SSURGO
Support Section, National Cartography and Geospatial Center. The
quadrangle names are also in the Soil Survey Schedule quadnames table
that resides as a part of the State Soil Survey Database in the NRCS
state office. Enter all quadrangles that make up the soil survey area
and enter each as a separate entry. Reference is from p. 7. Example:
Place Keyword: Pleasantville Quadrangle (s4109338)
Place Keyword: Hartford Quadrangle (s4109337)
12 - Address: An address line for the address. Reference is
from p. 59, sec. 10.4.2. Example:
Address: 210 Walnut Street, Suite 693
13 - City: The city of the address. Reference is from p. 59,
sec. 10.4.3. Example:
City: Des Moines
14 - State or Province: The state or province of the address.
Reference is from p. 59, sec. 10.4.4. Example:
State or Province: Iowa
15 - Postal Code: The ZIP or other postal code of the address.
Reference is from p. 59, sec. 10.4.5. Example:
Postal Code: 50309-2180
16 - Contact Voice Telephone: The telephone number by which
individuals can speak to the organization or individual. Reference is
from p. 59, sec. 10.5. Example:
Contact Voice Telephone: 402 437 5499
17 - Contact Facsimile Telephone: The telephone number of a
facsimile machine of the organization or individual. Reference is from
p. 60, sec. 10.7. Example:
Contact Facsimile Telephone: 402 437 5336
18 - Originator: The name of an organization that developed
the data set. This is the name from the published document. Reference is
from p. 53, sec. 8.1. Example:
Originator: Natural Resources Conservation Service or
Originator: Soil Conservation Service
19 - Publication Date: The date when the data set is published
or otherwise made available for release. Enter the year the data is
submitted for archiving and distribution. Enter the year in the date
format YYYY. Reference is from p. 53, sec. 8.2. Example:
Publication Date: 1994
20 - Title: The name by which the data set is known. Enter the
complete name of the soil survey area as defined in the memorandum of
understanding. Reference is from p. 53, sec. 8.4. Example:
Polk County, Iowa
20a - Edge Match Statements: Edge matching of digital data is
described in terms of accuracy of matching of feature edges, feature
labels, and descriptive attributes between quadrangles or data sets. In
SSURGO, all three are required to match between adjacent quadrangles
within the survey. Only the soil survey boundaries are required to match
between surveys. Examples of edge match statements for adjacent soil
surveys:
The quadrangles in this soil survey are not edge matched to
quadrangles in adjacent soil surveys.
The quadrangles in this soil survey are edge matched to quadrangles
in adjacent soil surveys.
The quadrangles in this soil survey are edge matched to quadrangles
in the Alpha Soil Survey, but are not edge matched to those in the
Beta or Gamma Soil Surveys.
Feature edges and descriptive attributes of quadrangles in this
soil survey are matched to those in adjacent soil surveys. Feature
labels do not match.
21 - Minimum Size Delineation: The minimum size of map unit
delineation as defined in the memorandum of understanding for the data
set. Enter the size in acres. Example:
2
Numbers in Data Quality Information Section
The Spatial Data Transfer Standard Data Quality Report consists of
five parts covering lineage, positional accuracy, attribute accuracy,
logical consistency, and completeness. The Data Quality Report is
presented in part 1, section 3 of the Spatial Data Transfer Standard.
22 - Originator: The name of an organization or individual
that developed the data set. Reference is from p. 53, sec. 8.1. Example:
Originator: U.S. Geological Survey
23 - Publication Date: The date when the data set is published
or otherwise made available for release. Enter the year in the date
format YYYY. Reference is from p. 53, sec. 8.2. Example:
Publication Date: 1983
24 - Title: The name by which the data set is known. Reference
is from p. 53, sec. 8.4. Example:
Title: Soil Survey of Polk County, Iowa
25 - Geospatial Data Presentation Form: The mode in which the
geospatial data is presented. Reference is from p. 54, sec. 8.6.
Example:
Geospatial Data Presentation Form: Topographic quadrangle map
26 - Publication Place: The name of the city and state where
the data set was published or released. Reference is from p. 54, sec.
8.8.1. Example:
Publication Place: Reston, Virginia
27 - Publisher: The name of the individual or organization
that published the data set. Reference is from p. 54, sec. 8.8.2.
Example:
Publisher: U.S. Geological Survey
28 - Source Scale Denominator: The denominator of the
representative fraction on a map. Reference is from p. 13, sec. 2.5.1.2.
Example:
Source Scale Denominator: 12000
29 - Type of Source Media: The medium of the source data set.
Reference is from p. 13, sec. 2.5.1.3. Example:
Type of Source Media: stable-base material
Single Date/Time this is a single element and must be followed with
the element Calendar Date.
30 - Calendar Date: The year. Enter the year in the date
format YYYY. Reference is from p. 56, sec. 9.1.1. Example:
Calendar Date: 1960
Range of Dates/Times this is a compound element and must be
followed with the elements Beginning Date and Ending Date.
30a - Beginning Date: The first year of the event. Enter the
year in the date format YYYY. Reference is from p. 56, sec. 9.3.1.
Example:
Beginning Date: 1989
30b - Ending Date: The last year for the event. Enter the year
in the date format YYYY. Reference is from p. 57, sec. 9.3.3. Example:
Ending Date: 1992
31 - Source Currentness Reference: The basis on which the
source time period of content information of the source data set is
determined. Reference is from p. 14, sec. 2.5.1.4.1. Example:
Source Currentness Reference: publication date
32 - Source Citation Abbreviation: The short-form alias for
the Source Citation. Reference is from p.14, sec. 2.5.1.5. Example:
Source Citation Abbreviation: NRCS1
33 - Source Contribution: Brief statement identifying the
information contributed by the source to the data set. Reference is from
p. 14, sec. 2.5.1.6. Example:
Source Contribution: digitizing source
34 - Process Description: An explanation of the event and
related parameters or tolerances. Reference is from p. 14, sec. 2.5.2.1.
35 - Process Date: The date when the event was completed.
Enter the year in the date format YYYY. Reference is from p. 14, sec.
2.5.2.3. Example:
Process Date: 1993
36 - Source Used Citation Abbreviation: The Source Citation
Abbreviation of a data set used in the processing step. Reference is
from p. 14, sec. 2.5.2.2. Example:
Source Used Citation Abbreviation: NRCS1
Numbers in Spatial Reference Information Section
37 - UTM Zone Number: Identifier for the UTM zone. If the soil
survey area is covered by multiple zones, enter each as a separate
entry. Reference is from p. 30, sec. 4.1.2.2.2.1. Example:
UTM Zone Number: 15
UTM Zone Number: 16
38 - Longitude of Central Meridian: The line of longitude at
the center of a map projection generally used as the basis for
constructing the projection. Each UTM zone covers 6 degrees in
longitude. Reference is from p. 27, sec. 4.1.2.1.23.2. Example:
UTM zone 13 that begins at -102 degrees and ends at -108 degrees.
The longitude of central meridian is the center of the zone, or -105.
39 - Abscissa Resolution: The (nominal) minimum distance
between the x or column values of two adjacent points, expressed in
Planar Distance Units of measure. The resolution is dependent upon the
source map scale. Reference is from p. 32, sec. 4.1.2.4.2.1. Example:
Abscissa Resolution: .305
| Scale |
Abscissa Resolution |
| 1:12,000 |
0.305 |
| 1:15,840 |
0.402 |
| 1:20,000 |
0.51 |
| 1:24,000 |
0.61 |
40 - Ordinate Resolution: The (nominal) minimum distance
between the y or row values of two adjacent points, expressed in Planar
Distance Units of measure. The resolution is dependent upon the source
map scale. Reference is p. 32, sec. 4.1.2.4.2.2. Example:
Ordinate Resolution: .305
| Scale |
Ordinate Resolution |
| 1:12,000 |
0.305 |
| 1:15,840 |
0.402 |
| 1:20,000 |
0.51 |
| 1:24,000 |
0.61 |
41 - Horizontal Datum Name: The identification given to the
reference system used for defining the coordinates of points. Reference
is from p. 34, sec. 4.1.4.1. Example:
Horizontal Datum Name: North American Datum of 1983 or
Horizontal Datum Name: North American Datum of 1927
42 - Ellipsoid Name: Identification given to established
representations of the Earth’s shape. Reference is from p. 34, sec.
4.1.4.2. Example:
Ellipsoid Name: Geodetic Reference System 80
| Datum Name |
Ellipsoid Name |
| North American Datum of 1983 |
Geodetic Reference System 80 |
| North American Datum of 1927 |
Clarke 1866 |
43 - Semi-major Axis: Radius of the equatorial axis of the
ellipsoid. Reference is from p. 34, sec. 4.1.4.3. Example:
Semi-major Axis: 6378137.0
| Ellipsoid Name |
Semi-major Axis |
| Geodetic Reference System 80 |
6378137.0 |
| Clarke 1866 |
6378206.4 |
44 - Denominator of Flattening Ratio: The denominator of the
ratio of the difference between the equatorial and polar radii of the
ellipsoid when the numerator is set to 1. Reference is from p. 34, sec.
4.1.4.4. Example:
Denominator of Flattening Ratio: 298.257
| Denominator of Ellipsoid Name |
Semi-major Axis |
| Geodetic Reference System 80 |
298.257 |
| Clarke 1866 |
294.98 |
45 - Codeset Name: The name of the soil survey area as it
appears in the title of the soil classification and correlation
document. Example:
Polk County, Iowa
Numbers in Distribution Information Section
46 - Resource Description: The identifier by which the
distributor knows the data set. Reference is from p. 43, sec. 6.2.
Example:
Resource Description: Polk Country, Iowa SSURGO
47 - Format Version Date: The date of the version of the
format. The date is in line 1 of the DLG header. Enter the date in the
format YYYYMMDD. Reference is from p. 45, sec. 6.4.2.1.3 Example:
Format Version Date: 19920508
48 - Transfer Size: The size, or estimated size, of the
transferred data set in megabytes. This is the sum for all DLGs in the
data set. Reference is from p. 45, sec. 6.4.2.1.7. Example:
Transfer Size: 14.4
49 - Transfer Size: The size, or estimated size, of the
transferred data set in megabytes. This is the sum for all attribute
tables in the data set. Reference is from p. 45. sec. 6.4.2.1.7.
Example:
Transfer Size: 0.4
50 - Quadrangle Format: Enter 7.5 or 3.75.
Numbers in Metadata Reference Information Section
51 - Metadata Date: The date that the metadata were created or
last updated. Enter the date in the format YYYYMMDD. Reference is from
p. 50, sec. 7.1. Example:
Metadata Date: 19940311
52 - Metadata Review Date: The date of the latest review of
the metadata entry. This is the date of the NCG review. The date is
entered in the format YYYYMMDD. Reference is from p. 50, sec. 7.2.
Example:
Metadata Review Date: 19940329
53 - Address: An address line for the address. Reference is
from p. 59, sec. 10.4.2. Example:
Address: 210 Walnut Street, Suite 693
54 - City: The city of the address. Reference is from p. 59,
sec. 10.4.3. Example:
City: Des Moines
55 - State or Province: The state or province of the address.
Reference is from p. 59, sec. 10.4.4. Example:
State or Province: Iowa
56 - Postal Code: The ZIP or other postal code of the address.
Reference is from p. 59, sec. 10.4.5. Example:
Postal Code: 503092180
57 - Contact Voice Telephone: The telephone number by which
individuals can speak to the organization or individual. Reference is
from p. 59, sec. 10.5. Example:
Contact Voice Telephone: 402 437 5499
58 - Contact Facsimile Telephone: The telephone number of a
facsimile machine of the organization or individual. Reference is from
p. 60, sec. 10.7. Example:
Contact Facsimile Telephone: 402 437 5336
59 - Metadata Standard Version: Identification of the version
of the metadata standard used to document the data set. Enter the date
in the format: YYYYMMDD. Reference is from p. 51, sec. 7.6. Example:
The current Metadata Standard Version is: 1998
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