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1:24,000-Scale Hydrography

In January of 2008, the DNR released version 6 of the statewide Hydrography geographic data layer, derived from 1:24,000-scale sources. This DNR corporate data layer plays a major role in integrating various DNR databases containing information about features located in, along, and around waterbodies.

Version 6 of the 24K Hydrography Database

Since the initial release of the DNR 24K Hydrography database, a series of data updates and enhancements have been completed, culminating most recently in Version 6 of the 24K Hydro layer. Version 6 is now available for download from the DNR GIS Public FTP site (see How to Access the 24K Hydrography Data).

The DNR 24K Hydrography data conversion effort was completed statewide using several 1:24,000-scale sources. This layer includes information about surface water features represented on the USGS 1:24,000-scale topographic map series such as perennial and intermittent streams, lakes, and so on.

A large portion of the Agency's Waterbody Identification Codes (WBICs) have been incorporated into the hydro layer, along with surface water names from the U.S. Geological Survey's Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) database.

Note: Wetlands delineations are not included in the DNR 1:24,000-scale Hydrography data layer. See the Wisconsin Wetland Inventory web page.

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What's New in 24K Hydro Version 6

Version 6 of the DNR 24K Hydro database offers the same robust data model as earlier versions, plus some new additions to make the data easier to use. Version 6 also contains corrections to some features in the database. (These corrections were based on helpful feedback received from the hydro user community!) As a result, Version 6 of the data is not only easier to use; it is also more accurate.

Below is a brief overview of the enhancements that are included in 24K Hydro Version 6. For more technical information about changes in the database, please refer to Appendix A of the DNR 24K Hydro Database Design document.

  • New Waterbody Identification Codes (WBICs) were assigned to 99.9% of the primary flow paths (97% of all flow) and ALL area features (e.g. lakes, flowages etc.) in the hydro layer that did not previously have them. Secondary flow (side channels etc.) was not included. This was accomplished through the use of an automated methodology for aggregating unnamed/unwbiced water. This methodology was reviewed and approved by the Water Body Oversight Committee (WBOC). For more details on the methodology used, click here. These auto-assigned WBICs are differentiated from other, previously culturally defined WBICs by a WBIC_type code (see New Attributes section below). Approximately 42,462 new stream WBICs and 72,903 open water WBICs have been added to hydro and entered in the Register of Waterbodies (ROW) system.
  • Strahler Stream Order has been added to the stream arcs. This information is also recorded in ROW.
  • Two new attributes were added to the 24K Hydro database: STREAM_ORDER (Strahler Stream Order); and WBIC_TYPE (indicates the type of WBIC number; C = Cultural, P = programmed).
  • Two attributes were dropped from the distributed version of the hydro database: WBIC_BY (indicated which person from the original WBIC assignment team delineated the WBIC on 24K hydro); WBIC_STAT (indicates whether the WBIC assignment was reviewed and approved or not). This information is being maintained in the production coverage (the coverage used for making edits).
  • Many edits were completed in preparation for the automated WBIC assignment. Types of edits include:
    • ensuring one and only one primary flow path out of open water polygon
    • fixing incomplete closure lines
    • resolving a WBIC flowing into 0 WBIC feature
    • stream WBIC flowing into another stream without a WBIC
    • stream WBIC flowing in and WBIC flowing out of lake are different and centerline WBIC = 0
    • stream WBIC starts at the outflow of a lake or stops inside the lake
    • linear type assignment errors (extensions vs centerlines)
    • Other edits include modifications to lake and reservoir boundaries and Washington Island is now coded as an "island" (IS) instead of upland.

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24K Hydro Version 6 Documentation

Here is a listing of the documents currently available describing the contents of the DNR 24K Hydrography Version 6 database, and other information to assist in using the data:

Note: Because of the size of the 24K Hydro Decision Rules document and the number of graphics it contains, you may experience a delay when displaying the linked document.

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24K Hydrography Data Sources

Because the sources of the 24K Hydrography data span many years and originate from several sources, the data may reflect areas of transition from one source to another. As a result, the water features as represented in the 24K Hydro data may not always match what you see on a particular USGS quad or Digital Raster Graphic (DRG).

General source information can be obtained in the map "Wisconsin 24K Hydrography Source Information" (shown below). More specific source, source date, and data conversion information can be obtained in the Arc Attribute Table (AAT) of the Hydro layer. For code definitions and descriptions, refer to the 24K Hydro Version 6 Documentation.

hydro map

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How to Access the 24K Hydrography Data

You can extract and download shapefile versions of the 24K Hydro data (version 6) for your area of interest at no cost, using the GeoData Download Theme in DNR WebView. The most frequently requested statewide 24K Hydro (version 6) feature classes are available for download in zipped shapefile format from the DNR GIS Public FTP site using your web browser.

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Contact Information

If you have a question about the content of the 24K Hydrography data, or for information about internal DNR application of surface water data, such as the Surface Water Integration System (SWIS), send email to the DNR SWIS Project Manager & 24K Hydrography File Manager.

Last Revised: Wednesday April 08 2009