GIS Information for Michigan

Sarah Derouin

April 12, 2004

Like Ohio, Michigan GIS data is spread out among many different locations and agencies, most of which are not geologic. The actual geologic survey in Michigan is almost non-existent, so do not be surprised when you cannot find it on a single search through something like Google. I have found the following sites to be useful in my GIS data search:

Michigan Department of Natural Resources: http://www.michigan.gov/dnr

This is not a direct link to GIS data, but is a good place to orient yourself. For a connection directly to the special information, go to: http://www.mcgi.state.mi.us/mgdl/. Once at this site, most GIS data you will need will come from this site. In addition to state information, you can also narrow your search to a specific county. There is a separate link to watershed data as well. The GIS information on this site includes:

Aerial imagery, basemap features, census, geology hydrography, land cover/use, management boundaries, mineral management, ownership, place features, plant and animal locations, political features, public land survey features, soils, topography, transportation

There is also a link to geographic referencing and metadata information on the site.

midata.html

This site is not as complete as the DNR site, but could also be useful used in conjunction with other data. Data found here include information from the state, as well as outside sources. Michigan information includes:

National wetlands Inventory (NWI)- Wetland Information, National Wildlife Refuge System and National Fish Hatcheries- Public use roads and parking areas

Various other data from other sources (i.e. USGS)- DEM, DOQ, DLG, DRG, Soils

USGS: http://edcsgs9.cr.usgs.gov/glis/hyper/guide/1_250_lulcfig/states/MI.html

1:250,000-scale Land Use Land Cover for Michigan. The data here is listed by quads. You may also find useful information starting from the USGS home webpage.

Great Lakes Environmental Research Lab/NOAA: http://www.glerl.noaa.gov/data/DataPage.html#physical

A nice site for the study of the Great Lakes and the land directly in contact with them (or their watersheds. This site includes data on:

Bathymetric data, shoreline data, hydrologic climate change impacts, lake thermal flux climatology, lake ice cover mapping, overlake precipitation, runoff, lake evaporation, net basin supplies, connecting channel flows, diversion flows, beginning of month lake levels, and changes in storage

Geological Maps of Michigan

Michigan data library

Michigan Bedrock Geology

Michigan Quaternary Geology