Wisconsin GIS Data

By:  Kelly LaBlanc

04/13/04

 

The centralized and highly integrated structure of the Wisconsin state agencies has created a unified GIS community that has standardized the coordinate system (Wisconsin Transverse Mercator 1983) and format for the State of Wisconsin’s GIS data.  Although there are multiple agencies that produced GIS data of interest to geologists, the state is very quickly moving towards a single all-encompassing GIS data depot/clearinghouse.

 

Here are websites that contain a wealth of GIS information and data:

 

·        The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is the state agency that deals with all environmental, land use, and natural resource issues.  This includes all legislation, permitting, enforcement, and information concerning Wisconsin’s environment, water, air, waste management, wildlife, and forests.  The DNR Geographic Information Systems division contains downloadable DRGs, hydrography and landcover data, as well as links to other websites for GIS data and general information.

·        The Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey has digital datasets derived from published maps available for download.  Most of the WGNHS maps currently available are county geologic and surficial maps.

·        The State of Wisconsin – Department of Administration (DOA), GIS Services has the TIGER 2000 statewide and individual county layers available for download.  The layers available at this site include state, county, and municipal boundaries, Census information, and roads.

·        The National Resource Conservation Service in connection with the Wisconsin DOA and Land Information Board is currently converting soil survey maps into digital form.  Currently 50 Wisconsin counties are available for download, and statewide digital soil survey coverage is expected by June 2006.

·        The Environmental Remote Sensing Center part of the Nelson Institute at the University of Wisconsin – Madison has downloadable daily satellite data for Wisconsin, Lake Michigan, and Lake Superior.

·        The Wisconsin Land Information System Pilot (WLIS) is a project developed by the DNR that will become the geospatial clearinghouse for the State of Wisconsin.  Although this is just a test site, it already contains all of the GIS data available from the DNR.

·        The Wisconsin Land Information Clearinghouse (WISCLINC) is a site that provides links to Wisconsin agencies that produce or maintain GIS data.  This site allows you to search for available state and county data.

·        The Wisconsin State Cartographer’s Office contains mapping information and links to GIS data for the State of Wisconsin.  This site also has contact information for obtaining a variety of geospatial data.