The Digital Surficial Geologic-GIS Map of Gauley River National Recreation Area, West Virginia is composed of GIS data layers and GIS tables, and is available in the following GRI-supported GIS data formats: 1.) an ESRI file geodatabase (gari_surficial_geology.gdb), a 2.) Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) geopackage, and 3.) 2.2 KMZ/KML file for use in Google Earth, however, this format version of the map is limited in data layers presented and in access to GRI ancillary table information. The file geodatabase format is supported with a 1.) ArcGIS Pro 3.X map file (.mapx) file (gari_surficial_geology.mapx) and individual Pro 3.X layer (.lyrx) files (for each GIS data layer). The OGC geopackage is supported with a QGIS project (.qgz) file. Upon request, the GIS data is also available in ESRI shapefile format. Contact Stephanie O'Meara (see contact information below) to acquire the GIS data in these GIS data formats. In addition to the GIS data and supporting GIS files, three additional files comprise a GRI digital geologic-GIS dataset or map: 1.) a readme file (gari_geology_gis_readme.pdf), 2.) the GRI ancillary map information document (.pdf) file (gari_geology.pdf) which contains geologic unit descriptions, as well as other ancillary map information and graphics from the source map(s) used by the GRI in the production of the GRI digital geologic-GIS data for the park, and 3.) a user-friendly FAQ PDF version of the metadata (gari_surficial_geology_metadata_faq.pdf). Please read the gari_geology_gis_readme.pdf for information pertaining to the proper extraction of the GIS data and other map files. Google Earth software is available for free at: https://www.google.com/earth/versions/. QGIS software is available for free at: https://www.qgis.org/en/site/. Users are encouraged to only use the Google Earth data for basic visualization, and to use the GIS data for any type of data analysis or investigation. The data were completed as a component of the Geologic Resources Inventory (GRI) program, a National Park Service (NPS) Inventory and Monitoring (I&M) Division funded program that is administered by the NPS Geologic Resources Division (GRD). For a complete listing of GRI products visit the GRI publications webpage: https://www.nps.gov/subjects/geology/geologic-resources-inventory-products.htm. For more information about the Geologic Resources Inventory Program visit the GRI webpage: https://www.nps.gov/subjects/geology/gri.htm. At the bottom of that webpage is a "Contact Us" link if you need additional information. You may also directly contact the program coordinator, Jason Kenworthy (jason_kenworthy@nps.gov). Source geologic maps and data used to complete this GRI digital dataset were provided by the following: West Virginia Geological and Economic Survey. Detailed information concerning the sources used and their contribution the GRI product are listed in the Source Citation section(s) of this metadata record (gari_surficial_geology_metadata.txt or gari_surficial_geology_metadata_faq.pdf). Users of this data are cautioned about the locational accuracy of features within this dataset. Based on the source map scale of 1:12,000 and United States National Map Accuracy Standards features are within (horizontally) 10.2 meters or 33.3 feet of their actual location as presented by this dataset. Users of this data should thus not assume the location of features is exactly where they are portrayed in Google Earth, ArcGIS Pro, QGIS or other software used to display this dataset. All GIS and ancillary tables were produced as per the NPS GRI Geology-GIS Geodatabase Data Model v. 2.3. (available at: https://www.nps.gov/articles/gri-geodatabase-model.htm).

WVDEP LiDAR data was collected by the Natural Resource Analysis Center at WVU under contract with the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Mining and Reclamation.The data was collected between 04/09/2010 and 12/13/2011 during leaf-off, snow and flood free conditions in the spring and fall.The data format is 1.5x1.5 km LAS v1.2 files in UTM 17 NAD83 (CORS96), NAVD88 (GEOID09). Contractor software initially classified ground returns for comprehensive and bare earth tiles, but did not perform other classifications. The Technical Applications and GIS (TAGIS) unit at the WVDEP performed Quality control checking and error correction on a tile-by-tile basis before creating derived products and edited LAS files.Hardware and flight parameters:Scanner: Optech ALTM-3100Post Spacing (Average): 3.3 ft / 1.0 meterFlying Height (Above Ground Level): 5,000-ft / 1,524 metersAverage Ground Speed: 135 knots (155 MPH)Scanner Pulse Rate Frequency: 70,000 HzScanner Frequency / Field of View: 35 Hz / 36 degrees (18 half angle)Overlap (Average): 30%In-depth metadata is available here, halfway down the page:LiDAR MetadataDownloads also available here:TAGIS LiDAR WebAppTAGIS LiDAR RepositoryLooking for 3DEP LiDAR? (*Not hosted or supported by TAGIS) See here:3DEP Downloads

The Digital Surficial Geologic-GIS Map of Bluestone National Scenic River and Vicinity, West Virginia is composed of GIS data layers and GIS tables, and is available in the following GRI-supported GIS data formats: 1.) an ESRI file geodatabase (blue_surficial_geology.gdb), a 2.) Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) geopackage, and 3.) 2.2 KMZ/KML file for use in Google Earth, however, this format version of the map is limited in data layers presented and in access to GRI ancillary table information. The file geodatabase format is supported with a 1.) ArcGIS Pro 3.X map file (.mapx) file (blue_surficial_geology.mapx) and individual Pro 3.X layer (.lyrx) files (for each GIS data layer). The OGC geopackage is supported with a QGIS project (.qgz) file. Upon request, the GIS data is also available in ESRI shapefile format. Contact Stephanie O'Meara (see contact information below) to acquire the GIS data in these GIS data formats. In addition to the GIS data and supporting GIS files, three additional files comprise a GRI digital geologic-GIS dataset or map: 1.) a readme file (blue_geology_gis_readme.pdf), 2.) the GRI ancillary map information document (.pdf) file (blue_geology.pdf) which contains geologic unit descriptions, as well as other ancillary map information and graphics from the source map(s) used by the GRI in the production of the GRI digital geologic-GIS data for the park, and 3.) a user-friendly FAQ PDF version of the metadata (blue_surficial_geology_metadata_faq.pdf). Please read the blue_geology_gis_readme.pdf for information pertaining to the proper extraction of the GIS data and other map files. Google Earth software is available for free at: https://www.google.com/earth/versions/. QGIS software is available for free at: https://www.qgis.org/en/site/. Users are encouraged to only use the Google Earth data for basic visualization, and to use the GIS data for any type of data analysis or investigation. The data were completed as a component of the Geologic Resources Inventory (GRI) program, a National Park Service (NPS) Inventory and Monitoring (I&M) Division funded program that is administered by the NPS Geologic Resources Division (GRD). For a complete listing of GRI products visit the GRI publications webpage: https://www.nps.gov/subjects/geology/geologic-resources-inventory-products.htm. For more information about the Geologic Resources Inventory Program visit the GRI webpage: https://www.nps.gov/subjects/geology/gri.htm. At the bottom of that webpage is a "Contact Us" link if you need additional information. You may also directly contact the program coordinator, Jason Kenworthy (jason_kenworthy@nps.gov). Source geologic maps and data used to complete this GRI digital dataset were provided by the following: West Virginia Geological and Economic Survey. Detailed information concerning the sources used and their contribution the GRI product are listed in the Source Citation section(s) of this metadata record (blue_surficial_geology_metadata.txt or blue_surficial_geology_metadata_faq.pdf). Users of this data are cautioned about the locational accuracy of features within this dataset. Based on the source map scale of 1:12,000 and United States National Map Accuracy Standards features are within (horizontally) 10.2 meters or 33.3 feet of their actual location as presented by this dataset. Users of this data should thus not assume the location of features is exactly where they are portrayed in Google Earth, ArcGIS Pro, QGIS or other software used to display this dataset. All GIS and ancillary tables were produced as per the NPS GRI Geology-GIS Geodatabase Data Model v. 2.3. (available at: https://www.nps.gov/articles/gri-geodatabase-model.htm).

The Unpublished Digital Surficial Geologic Map of New River Gorge National River, West Virginia is composed of GIS data layers and GIS tables in a 10.1 file geodatabase (ners_geology.gdb), a 10.1 ArcMap (.MXD) map document (ners_geology.mxd), individual 10.1 layer (.LYR) files for each GIS data layer, an ancillary map information (.PDF) document (neri_geology.pdf) which contains source map unit descriptions, as well as other source map text, figures and tables, metadata in FGDC text (.TXT) and FAQ (.HTML) formats, and a GIS readme file (ners_gis_readme.pdf). Please read the ners_gis_readme.pdf for information pertaining to the proper extraction of the file geodatabase and other map files. To request GIS data in ESRI 10.1 shapefile format contact Stephanie O’Meara (stephanie.omeara@colostate.edu; see contact information below). The data is also available as a 2.2 KMZ/KML file for use in Google Earth, however, this format version of the map is limited in data layers presented and in access to GRI ancillary table information. Google Earth software is available for free at: http://www.google.com/earth/index.html. Users are encouraged to only use the Google Earth data for basic visualization, and to use the GIS data for any type of data analysis or investigation. The data were completed as a component of the Geologic Resources Inventory (GRI) program, a National Park Service (NPS) Inventory and Monitoring (I&M) Division funded program that is administered by the NPS Geologic Resources Division (GRD). Source geologic maps and data used to complete this GRI digital dataset were provided by the following: West Virginia University and West Virginia Geological and Economic Survey. Detailed information concerning the sources used and their contribution the GRI product are listed in the Source Citation section(s) of this metadata record (ners_metadata_faq.html; available at http://nrdata.nps.gov/geology/gri_data/gis/neri/ners_metadata_faq.html). Users of this data are cautioned about the locational accuracy of features within this dataset. Based on the source map scale of 1:48,000 and United States National Map Accuracy Standards features are within (horizontally) 24.4 meters or 80 feet of their actual location as presented by this dataset. Users of this data should thus not assume the location of features is exactly where they are portrayed in Google Earth, ArcGIS or other software used to display this dataset. All GIS and ancillary tables were produced as per the NPS GRI Geology-GIS Geodatabase Data Model v. 2.3. (available at: http://science.nature.nps.gov/im/inventory/geology/GeologyGISDataModel.cfm). The GIS data projection is NAD83, UTM Zone 17N, however, for the KML/KMZ format the data is projected upon export to WGS84 Geographic, the native coordinate system used by Google Earth. The data is within the area of interest of New River Gorge National River.

Color gravity map. The area of this gravity report consists of approximately 3,850 square miles in Virginia, bounded by 80 degrees and 81 degrees west longitude, the Virginia-West Virginia state line to the north and the Virginia-North Carolina boundary to the south. The survey included areas in the Piedmont, Blue Ridge, and Valley and Ridge physiographic provinces. This publication is available for free download, or more information on this resource, and to download the PDF, please see the links provided.

The Digital Bedrock Geologic-GIS Map of Bluestone National Scenic River and Vicinity, West Virginia is composed of GIS data layers and GIS tables, and is available in the following GRI-supported GIS data formats: 1.) an ESRI file geodatabase (blue_bedrock_geology.gdb), a 2.) Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) geopackage, and 3.) 2.2 KMZ/KML file for use in Google Earth, however, this format version of the map is limited in data layers presented and in access to GRI ancillary table information. The file geodatabase format is supported with a 1.) ArcGIS Pro 3.X map file (.mapx) file (blue_bedrock_geology.mapx) and individual Pro 3.X layer (.lyrx) files (for each GIS data layer). The OGC geopackage is supported with a QGIS project (.qgz) file. Upon request, the GIS data is also available in ESRI shapefile format. Contact Stephanie O'Meara (see contact information below) to acquire the GIS data in these GIS data formats. In addition to the GIS data and supporting GIS files, three additional files comprise a GRI digital geologic-GIS dataset or map: 1.) a readme file (blue_geology_gis_readme.pdf), 2.) the GRI ancillary map information document (.pdf) file (blue_geology.pdf) which contains geologic unit descriptions, as well as other ancillary map information and graphics from the source map(s) used by the GRI in the production of the GRI digital geologic-GIS data for the park, and 3.) a user-friendly FAQ PDF version of the metadata (blue_bedrock_geology_metadata_faq.pdf). Please read the blue_geology_gis_readme.pdf for information pertaining to the proper extraction of the GIS data and other map files. Google Earth software is available for free at: https://www.google.com/earth/versions/. QGIS software is available for free at: https://www.qgis.org/en/site/. Users are encouraged to only use the Google Earth data for basic visualization, and to use the GIS data for any type of data analysis or investigation. The data were completed as a component of the Geologic Resources Inventory (GRI) program, a National Park Service (NPS) Inventory and Monitoring (I&M) Division funded program that is administered by the NPS Geologic Resources Division (GRD). For a complete listing of GRI products visit the GRI publications webpage: https://www.nps.gov/subjects/geology/geologic-resources-inventory-products.htm. For more information about the Geologic Resources Inventory Program visit the GRI webpage: https://www.nps.gov/subjects/geology/gri.htm. At the bottom of that webpage is a "Contact Us" link if you need additional information. You may also directly contact the program coordinator, Jason Kenworthy (jason_kenworthy@nps.gov). Source geologic maps and data used to complete this GRI digital dataset were provided by the following: West Virginia Geological and Economic Survey. Detailed information concerning the sources used and their contribution the GRI product are listed in the Source Citation section(s) of this metadata record (blue_bedrock_geology_metadata.txt or blue_bedrock_geology_metadata_faq.pdf). Users of this data are cautioned about the locational accuracy of features within this dataset. Based on the source map scale of 1:24,000 and United States National Map Accuracy Standards features are within (horizontally) 12.2 meters or 40 feet of their actual location as presented by this dataset. Users of this data should thus not assume the location of features is exactly where they are portrayed in Google Earth, ArcGIS Pro, QGIS or other software used to display this dataset. All GIS and ancillary tables were produced as per the NPS GRI Geology-GIS Geodatabase Data Model v. 2.3. (available at: https://www.nps.gov/articles/gri-geodatabase-model.htm).

THIS MAP SHOWS THE FOLLOWING:Designated Highways on the state-maintained system. The National Network and Virginia Qualifying Highways include all interstates and certain other highways respectively, with one road-mile of access permissible off these routes to access terminals, fuel, food, rest, and repairs (except in cities and towns, or in Henrico and Arlington Counties where permission is required from those localities). The Virginia Access portion includes certain other primary and secondary routes where no access is allowed off the system. LIMITATIONS & EXCLUSIONS REGARDING TRUCK ROUTES & RESTRICTIONS PROVIDED ON THIS MAP1. The information presented applies only to the highway systems maintained by the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT). Additional STAA access or restrictions may apply in incorporated cities and towns, and on secondary roads (numbered 600 or higher) in Henrico and Arlington Counties.2. Access to, or restrictions on, the indicated routes for the specified vehicles is applicable unless other restrictions or limitations apply due to weight, height, or width; incidents or construction; or as otherwise indicated by signs on the highway.3. To the best of our knowledge the information provided is updated on a weekly basis or as received from Districts. It is the responsibility of the highway user to ensure their information is current and correct.A permit for additional access off the state maintained system may be requested by contacting the Department of Motor Vehicles at (804) 497-7135. For additional access in cities and towns and in Henrico and Arlington Counties contact officials in those localities.

The Digital Bedrock Geologic-GIS Map of New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, and Vicinity, West Virginia is composed of GIS data layers and GIS tables, and is available in the following GRI-supported GIS data formats: 1.) an ESRI file geodatabase (neri_bedrock_geology.gdb), a 2.) Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) geopackage, and 3.) 2.2 KMZ/KML file for use in Google Earth, however, this format version of the map is limited in data layers presented and in access to GRI ancillary table information. The file geodatabase format is supported with a 1.) ArcGIS Pro 3.X map file (.mapx) file (neri_bedrock_geology.mapx) and individual Pro 3.X layer (.lyrx) files (for each GIS data layer). The OGC geopackage is supported with a QGIS project (.qgz) file. Upon request, the GIS data is also available in ESRI shapefile format. Contact Stephanie O'Meara (see contact information below) to acquire the GIS data in these GIS data formats. In addition to the GIS data and supporting GIS files, three additional files comprise a GRI digital geologic-GIS dataset or map: 1.) a readme file (neri_geology_gis_readme.pdf), 2.) the GRI ancillary map information document (.pdf) file (neri_geology.pdf) which contains geologic unit descriptions, as well as other ancillary map information and graphics from the source map(s) used by the GRI in the production of the GRI digital geologic-GIS data for the park, and 3.) a user-friendly FAQ PDF version of the metadata (neri_bedrock_geology_metadata_faq.pdf). Please read the neri_geology_gis_readme.pdf for information pertaining to the proper extraction of the GIS data and other map files. Google Earth software is available for free at: https://www.google.com/earth/versions/. QGIS software is available for free at: https://www.qgis.org/en/site/. Users are encouraged to only use the Google Earth data for basic visualization, and to use the GIS data for any type of data analysis or investigation. The data were completed as a component of the Geologic Resources Inventory (GRI) program, a National Park Service (NPS) Inventory and Monitoring (I&M) Division funded program that is administered by the NPS Geologic Resources Division (GRD). For a complete listing of GRI products visit the GRI publications webpage: https://www.nps.gov/subjects/geology/geologic-resources-inventory-products.htm. For more information about the Geologic Resources Inventory Program visit the GRI webpage: https://www.nps.gov/subjects/geology/gri.htm. At the bottom of that webpage is a "Contact Us" link if you need additional information. You may also directly contact the program coordinator, Jason Kenworthy (jason_kenworthy@nps.gov). Source geologic maps and data used to complete this GRI digital dataset were provided by the following: West Virginia Geological and Economic Survey. Detailed information concerning the sources used and their contribution the GRI product are listed in the Source Citation section(s) of this metadata record (neri_bedrock_geology_metadata.txt or neri_bedrock_geology_metadata_faq.pdf). Users of this data are cautioned about the locational accuracy of features within this dataset. Based on the source map scale of 1:24,000 and United States National Map Accuracy Standards features are within (horizontally) 12.2 meters or 40 feet of their actual location as presented by this dataset. Users of this data should thus not assume the location of features is exactly where they are portrayed in Google Earth, ArcGIS Pro, QGIS or other software used to display this dataset. All GIS and ancillary tables were produced as per the NPS GRI Geology-GIS Geodatabase Data Model v. 2.3. (available at: https://www.nps.gov/articles/gri-geodatabase-model.htm).

Mineral resource occurrence data covering the world, most thoroughly within the U.S. This database contains the records previously provided in the Mineral Resource Data System (MRDS) of USGS and the Mineral Availability System/Mineral Industry Locator System (MAS/MILS) originated in the U.S. Bureau of Mines, which is now part of USGS. The MRDS is a large and complex relational database developed over several decades by hundreds of researchers and reporters. While database records describe mineral resources worldwide, the compilation of information was intended to cover the United States completely, and its coverage of resources in other countries is incomplete. The content of MRDS records was drawn from reports previously published or made available to USGS researchers. Some of those original source materials are no longer available. The information contained in MRDS was intended to reflect the reports used as sources and is current only as of the date of those source reports. Consequently MRDS does not reflect up-to-date changes to the operating status of mines, ownership, land status, production figures and estimates of reserves and resources, or the nature, size, and extent of workings. Information on the geological characteristics of the mineral resource are likely to remain correct, but aspects involving human activity are likely to be out of date.

The purpose of this data set is to provide a geographic representation of the location of each state mile marker sign in the Commonwealth, and is to be used in a number of other products and projects. The locations of state mile marker signs on interstates and primary routes are important sources for various traffic studies as well as information for travelers. This GIS layer displays the locations and corresponding information of state mile marker signs. The signs may have been placed close but not exactly at the mile point due to geographic restrictions.Attribute NameContentsFIDInternal Feature NumberShapeFeature GeometryHTRISDEFHTRIS Definition in the Roadway InventoryROADSIDELocations of Mile Marker Posts (Right, Left, or Median)LATITUDEGPS latitude for each Mile Marker point in decimal degreesLONGITUDEGPS longitude for each Mile Marker point in decimal degreesSIGNSTYLE0: Small & Non-MUTCD Compliant, 1: MUTCD Standard (D10-1, D10-2 or D10-3), 2: MUTCD Enhanced (D10-4 or D10-5)SIGNVALUENumeric Value from the Sign Text except NULL, -1, and -2 valuesSIGNTEXTFull Sign TextM_JURISDICMaintenance Jurisdiction Code

This web map was made by the NPS Alaska Region GIS Team for use in the Alaska's Shrinking Glaciers StoryMap.Alaska is one of the most heavily glaciated areas in the world outside of the polar regions. Approximately 23,200 square miles of the state are covered in glaciers—an area nearly the size of West Virginia. Glaciers have shaped much of Alaska’s landscape and continue to influence its lands, waters, and ecosystems. Because of their importance, National Park Service scientists measure glacier change. They have found that glaciers are shrinking in area and volume across the state. Over a 50-year interval—between the 1950s and early 2000s—glaciers within Alaska national parks shrank by 8%. From 1985 to 2020, glacier-covered area in Alaska decreased by 13%, indicating that the rate of glacier loss accelerated in recent decades. These changes will likely accelerate, profoundly impacting the landscape of Alaska and our parks for generations to come. The corresponding NPS DataStore on Integrated Resource Management Applications (IRMA) reference is Alaska's Changing Glaciers Experience.

In this course, you will learn to work within the free and open-source R environment with a specific focus on working with and analyzing geospatial data. We will cover a wide variety of data and spatial data analytics topics, and you will learn how to code in R along the way. The Introduction module provides more background info about the course and course set up. This course is designed for someone with some prior GIS knowledge. For example, you should know the basics of working with maps, map projections, and vector and raster data. You should be able to perform common spatial analysis tasks and make map layouts. If you do not have a GIS background, we would recommend checking out the West Virginia View GIScience class. We do not assume that you have any prior experience with R or with coding. So, don't worry if you haven't developed these skill sets yet. That is a major goal in this course. Background material will be provided using code examples, videos, and presentations. We have provided assignments to offer hands-on learning opportunities. Data links for the lecture modules are provided within each module while data for the assignments are linked to the assignment buttons below. Please see the sequencing document for our suggested order in which to work through the material. After completing this course you will be able to: prepare, manipulate, query, and generally work with data in R. perform data summarization, comparisons, and statistical tests. create quality graphs, map layouts, and interactive web maps to visualize data and findings. present your research, methods, results, and code as web pages to foster reproducible research. work with spatial data in R. analyze vector and raster geospatial data to answer a question with a spatial component. make spatial models and predictions using regression and machine learning. code in the R language at an intermediate level.

U.S. ZIP Code Areas (Five-Digit) represents five-digit ZIP Code areas used by the U.S. Postal Service to deliver mail more effectively. The first digit of a five-digit ZIP Code divides the United States into 10 large groups of states numbered from 0 in the Northeast to 9 in the far West. Within these areas, each state is divided into an average of 10 smaller geographical areas, identified by the second and third digits. These digits, in conjunction with the first digit, represent a sectional center facility or a mail processing facility area. The fourth and fifth digits identify a post office, station, branch or local delivery area.

Geospatial data about Ohio River Mile Markers. Export to CAD, GIS, PDF, CSV and access via API.

Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) is a fatal, contagious, neuro-degenerative disease affecting multiple members of the Family Cervidae. First detected in 1967, the disease has, to-date, been documented in free-ranging and/or captive cervid populations in 24 states, two Canadian provinces, the Republic of South Korea, and Norway. The USGS National Wildlife Health Center (NWHC) tracks changes to the known distribution of CWD in the form of a map (available on the NWHC website).

The shapefile alignments serve as the authors' best possible representation of the actual trails used as of 1795. Documented and verifiable edit suggestions are welcome! An brief description of the project: During America's colonial period, the trans-Appalachian west, though largely terra incognita to people living on the eastern seaboard and occupied by significant numbers of native peoples, lay open to initial forays by hunters, explorers, surveyors, and settlers. The earliest overland travel routes to traverse western Virginia lands, country that eventually became the Commonwealth of Kentucky, were established between the 1750s and 1780. The primary trails that provided access for emigrants moving into Kentucky and the Northwest Territory's Ohio Valley have been of long-standing historic importance. They include the southeastern gateway where concurrent gaps truncate Cumberland and Pine Mountain; the Indians' Warrior's Path (partially adopted by white pioneers) to the great Bluegrass Shawnee town at Eskippakithiki ; Daniel Boone's Trace to Fort Boonesborough; and the Wilderness Road to Fort Harrod (Harrodsburg) and the Falls of the Ohio at Louisville. In 1800, Kentucky's population had reached some 220,000. A large proportion of these individuals-or their ancestors-white and black, free and slave, moved into the state via one or more of these three originary routes (Speed, 1886 [1971], p. 7) Pioneer roads-including the highly publicized and much romanticized trans-west trails to Santa Fe and Oregon-were avenues of migration to developing western frontiers and thus are iconic linear places around which historical fact and contemporary fiction coalesce. Such first generation roads have been associated with the American version of the frontier myth wherein a hero investigates the unknown pristine wilderness, asserts control over it, and appropriates its resources from small groups of savages. Settlers follow the hero's original route and arrogate the new lands (Stoeltje, 1987, p. 239). Given their primacy, some roads, with the passage of time, became stimuli to notions of collective heritage and romanticized concepts of frontier life that are often associated with stalwart frontier folk-Daniel Boone being foremost among them. In Kentucky, contemporary residents depict their heritage in "reenactments," shrines, roadside historic site markers, historic preservation priorities, and state and national historic sites and parks. The state's historical society has erected some 35 roadside markers commemorating pioneer roads, and the state's road-related parks include Cumberland Gap National Historical Park, and Levi Jackson, Fort Boonesborough, and Old Fort Harrod state parks. Our principle objective was to map at the largest practicable scale Kentucky's three primary eighteenth-century frontier trails-the Warrior's Path, Boone's Trace, and the Wilderness Road-and the sites associated with pioneer settlement linked by these roads. We wished to consolidate information from those historical sources that permitted plotting locations accurately. Eighteenth-century explorers' maps and reports, surveyors' notes, travelers' diaries, and other information sources about the western frontier were often locationally incomplete, imprecise, or distorted by present standards. Information from such sources may be adequate to suggest highly generalized route alignments but of limited value for drafting contemporary large scale trail maps. While acknowledging the idiosyncrasies inherent in historical records, we sought to glean from them precise point and route locations and, where warranted and possible, aggregate those locations into an accurate base map. We wished to do this consistently and unambiguously because subtle distinctions in the exact location of historic routes and related settlement sites can affect the nature of the questions one is prompted to pose and the reliability of the conclusions that one can draw about pioneer knowledge, preferences, and behaviors (Elliott and Talbert, 2002, pp. 145-162). A full bibliography is listed on the companion Kentucky Frontier Trails poster, or available upon request.Data Download: https://ky.box.com/v/kymartian-ky-frontier-trailsDisclaimerInformation presented on this website is considered public information and may be distributed or copied. Use of appropriate byline/photo/image credit is requested. We strongly recommend that data for this Geoportal be acquired directly from a reliable source server and not through other sources that may change the data in some way. While this Geoportal makes every effort to provide accurate and complete information, various data such as names, telephone numbers, etc. may change prior to updating. This Geoportal's administrator welcomes suggestions on how to improve our home page and correct errors. 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During America's colonial period, the trans-Appalachian west, though largely terra incognita to people living on the eastern seaboard and occupied by significant numbers of native peoples, lay open to initial forays by hunters, explorers, surveyors, and settlers. The earliest overland travel routes to traverse western Virginia lands, country that eventually became the Commonwealth of Kentucky, were established between the 1750s and 1780. The primary trails that provided access for emigrants moving into Kentucky and the Northwest Territory's Ohio Valley have been of long-standing historic importance. They include the southeastern gateway where concurrent gaps truncate Cumberland and Pine Mountain; the Indians' Warrior's Path (partially adopted by white pioneers) to the great Bluegrass Shawnee town at Eskippakithiki ; Daniel Boone's Trace to Fort Boonesborough; and the Wilderness Road to Fort Harrod (Harrodsburg) and the Falls of the Ohio at Louisville. In 1800, Kentucky's population had reached some 220,000. A large proportion of these individuals-or their ancestors-white and black, free and slave, moved into the state via one or more of these three originary routes (Speed, 1886 [1971], p. 7) Pioneer roads-including the highly publicized and much romanticized trans-west trails to Santa Fe and Oregon-were avenues of migration to developing western frontiers and thus are iconic linear places around which historical fact and contemporary fiction coalesce. Such first generation roads have been associated with the American version of the frontier myth wherein a hero investigates the unknown pristine wilderness, asserts control over it, and appropriates its resources from small groups of savages. Settlers follow the hero's original route and arrogate the new lands (Stoeltje, 1987, p. 239). Given their primacy, some roads, with the passage of time, became stimuli to notions of collective heritage and romanticized concepts of frontier life that are often associated with stalwart frontier folk-Daniel Boone being foremost among them. In Kentucky, contemporary residents depict their heritage in "reenactments," shrines, roadside historic site markers, historic preservation priorities, and state and national historic sites and parks. The state's historical society has erected some 35 roadside markers commemorating pioneer roads, and the state's road-related parks include Cumberland Gap National Historical Park, and Levi Jackson, Fort Boonesborough, and Old Fort Harrod state parks. Our principle objective was to map at the largest practicable scale Kentucky's three primary eighteenth-century frontier trails-the Warrior's Path, Boone's Trace, and the Wilderness Road-and the sites associated with pioneer settlement linked by these roads. We wished to consolidate information from those historical sources that permitted plotting locations accurately. Eighteenth-century explorers' maps and reports, surveyors' notes, travelers' diaries, and other information sources about the western frontier were often locationally incomplete, imprecise, or distorted by present standards. Information from such sources may be adequate to suggest highly generalized route alignments but of limited value for drafting contemporary large scale trail maps. While acknowledging the idiosyncrasies inherent in historical records, we sought to glean from them precise point and route locations and, where warranted and possible, aggregate those locations into an accurate base map. We wished to do this consistently and unambiguously because subtle distinctions in the exact location of historic routes and related settlement sites can affect the nature of the questions one is prompted to pose and the reliability of the conclusions that one can draw about pioneer knowledge, preferences, and behaviors (Elliott and Talbert, 2002, pp. 145-162). A full bibliography is listed on the companion Kentucky Frontier Trails poster, or available upon request.Click here to download the PDF and Metadata.

Lidar (Light detection and ranging) discrete-return point cloud data are available in the American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (ASPRS) LAS format. The LAS format is a standardized binary format for storing 3-dimensional point cloud data and point attributes along with header information and variable length records specific to the data. Millions of data points are stored as a 3-dimensional data cloud as a series of x (longitude), y (latitude) and z (elevation) points. A few older projects in this collection are in ASCII format. Please refer to http://www.asprs.org/Committee-General/LASer-LAS-File-Format-Exchange-Activities.html for additional information. This data set is a LAZ (compressed LAS) format file containing lidar point cloud data. Compression to an LAZ file was done with the LAStools 'laszip' program and can be unzipped with the same free program (laszip.org). LICENSE: US Government Public Domain https://www.usgs.gov/faqs/what-are-terms-uselicensing-map-services-and-data-national-map