The National Hydrography Dataset (NHD) is a feature-based database that interconnects and uniquely identifies the stream segments or reaches that make up the nation's surface water drainage system. NHD data was originally developed at 1:100,000-scale and exists at that scale for the whole country. This high-resolution NHD, generally developed at 1:24,000/1:12,000 scale, adds detail to the original 1:100,000-scale NHD. (Data for Alaska, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands was developed at high-resolution, not 1:100,000 scale.) Local resolution NHD is being developed where partners and data exist. The NHD contains reach codes for networked features, flow direction, names, and centerline representations for areal water bodies. Reaches are also defined on waterbodies and the approximate shorelines of the Great Lakes, the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans and the Gulf of Mexico. The NHD also incorporates the National Spatial Data Infrastructure framework criteria established by the Federal Geographic Data Committee. For additional information on NHD, go to https://www.usgs.gov/national-hydrography.

Download Virginia NHD File GDB 350 MB - NHD Downloads Directory - NHD Product PageThe National Hydrography Dataset (NHD) is a feature-based database that interconnects and uniquely identifies the stream segments or reaches that make up the nation's surface water drainage system.

This page is meant to act as an archival repository for previous versions of the statewide National Hydrography Dataset (NHD) which includes the Watershed Boundary Dataset (WBD) released by USGS. All data are presented in their original, unmodified format as downloaded from USGS. Be aware that the data do not come with a geometric network; directions for building the geometric network can be found in the text file on this resource page called "How to Create NHD Network".

Links to a geodatabase (gdb 10.1) download for the National Hydrography Dataset (NHD) for the state of Colorado. The NHD contains data on streams, areas, points, flowlines, and watershed basin boundaries in Hydrologic Units 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12. Data is maintained by the U.S. Geological Survey.

Shapefile (NJ State Plane NAD 1983) download: Click "Open" or Click hereFile Geodatabase (NJ State Plane NAD 1983) download: Click hereNOTE: This metadata file contains information for Waterbody features delineated for NJ from 2002 color infrared (CIR) imagery with attributes extracted from the National Hydrography Dataset (NHD). Digitizing of this data was initally done by Aerial Information Systems, Inc., Redlands, CA, under direction of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP), Bureau of Geographic Information System (BGIS). Conflation of USGS 1:24,000 High resolution NHD attributes was done by Data Enhancement Services, LLC (DES) partenered with Civil Solutions. This statewide conflation of NHD High resolution information was completed in 2010. All QA/QC was done by NJDEP, Bureau of GIS and USGS. This represents a subset of the statewide extract for NJ dated August 25, 2010.

National Hydrologic Dataset downloaded from USGS on 2/4/2022. This data is also available from the USGS as a service at https://hydro.nationalmap.gov/arcgis/rest/services/nhd/MapServerAbstract: The National Hydrography Dataset (NHD) is a feature-based database that interconnects and uniquely identifies the stream segments or reaches that make up the nation's surface water drainage system. NHD data was originally developed at 1:100,000-scale and exists at that scale for the whole country. This high-resolution NHD, generally developed at 1:24,000/1:12,000 scale, adds detail to the original 1:100,000-scale NHD. (Data for Alaska, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands was developed at high-resolution, not 1:100,000 scale.) Local resolution NHD is being developed where partners and data exist. The NHD contains reach codes for networked features, flow direction, names, and centerline representations for areal water bodies. Reaches are also defined on waterbodies and the approximate shorelines of the Great Lakes, the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans and the Gulf of Mexico. The NHD also incorporates the National Spatial Data Infrastructure framework criteria established by the Federal Geographic Data Committee. Use the metadata link, http://nhdgeo.usgs.gov/metadata/nhd_high.htm, for additional information. Purpose: The NHD is a national framework for assigning reach addresses to water-related entities, such as industrial discharges, drinking water supplies, fish habitat areas, wild and scenic rivers. Reach addresses establish the locations of these entities relative to one another within the NHD surface water drainage network, much like addresses on streets. Once linked to the NHD by their reach addresses, the upstream/downstream relationships of these water-related entities--and any associated information about them--can be analyzed using software tools ranging from spreadsheets to geographic information systems (GIS). GIS can also be used to combine NHD-based network analysis with other data layers, such as soils, land use and population, to help understand and display their respective effects upon one another. Furthermore, because the NHD provides a nationally consistent framework for addressing and analysis, water-related information linked to reach addresses by one organization (national, state, local) can be shared with other organizations and easily integrated into many different types of applications to the benefit of all.

The National Hydrography Dataset (NHD) is a feature-based database that interconnects and uniquely identifies the stream segments or reaches that make up the nation's surface water drainage system. NHD data was originally developed at 1:100,000 scale and exists at that scale for the whole country. High resolution NHD adds detail to the original 1:100,000-scale NHD. (Data for Alaska, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands was developed at high-resolution, not 1:100,000 scale.) Like the 1:100,000-scale NHD, high resolution NHD contains reach codes for networked features and isolated lakes, flow direction, names, stream level, and centerline representations for areal water bodies. Reaches are also defined to represent waterbodies and the approximate shorelines of the Great Lakes, the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans and the Gulf of Mexico. The NHD also incorporates the National Spatial Data Infrastructure framework criteria set out by the Federal Geographic Data Committee.

The Watershed Boundary Dataset (WBD) is a comprehensive aggregated collection of hydrologic unit data consistent with the national criteria for delineation and resolution. It defines the areal extent of surface water drainage to a point except in coastal or lake front areas where there could be multiple outlets as stated by the "Federal Standards and Procedures for the National Watershed Boundary Dataset (WBD)" "Standard" (https://pubs.usgs.gov/tm/11/a3/). Watershed boundaries are determined solely upon science-based hydrologic principles, not favoring any administrative boundaries or special projects, nor particular program or agency. This dataset represents the hydrologic unit boundaries to the 12-digit for the entire United States. Some areas may also include additional subdivisions representing the 14- and 16-digit hydrologic unit (HU). At a minimum, the HUs are delineated at 1:24,000-scale in the conterminous United States, 1:25,000-scale in Hawaii, Pacific basin and the Caribbean, and 1:63,360-scale in Alaska, meeting the National Map Accuracy Standards (NMAS). Higher resolution boundaries are being developed where partners and data exist and will be incorporated back into the WBD. WBD data are delivered as a dataset of polygons and corresponding lines that define the boundary of the polygon. WBD polygon attributes include hydrologic unit codes (HUC), size (in the form of acres and square kilometers), name, downstream hydrologic unit code, type of watershed, non-contributing areas, and flow modifications. The HUC describes where the unit is in the country and the level of the unit. WBD line attributes contain the highest level of hydrologic unit for each boundary, line source information and flow modifications. For additional information on NHD, go to https://www.usgs.gov/national-hydrography.

National Hydrography Dataset (NHD) Plus v2 flowlines for the Russian River Watershed. The full NHD dataset is available for download here: Get NHDPlus (National Hydrography Dataset Plus) Data | US EPA

July 2023 - Esri now hosts this as a Living Atlas layer. This 146MG copy of the data can be decommissioned.+++This layer represents the NHD Flowline, its a copy downloaded from the USGS NHD, however it is unknown when this copy was made or last updated (likely well before 2017 since there is no last edit date.) A copy is hosted in support of Planning Department related business processes (Stormwater, Environmental Compliance). The source could be updated from USGS through this link. Since this data product is owned by the USGS, this item should be used only when their resource is unavailable. Web maps should reference these resources, NHD Plus High Resolution, from this URL resource, the metadata describes it as:The USGS NHDPlus High Resolution service, NHDPlus_HR, a part of The National Map, is a comprehensive set of digital spatial data comprising a nationally seamless network of stream reaches, elevation-based catchment areas, flow surfaces, and value-added attributes that enhance stream network navigation, analysis, and data display. NHDPlus High Resolution (NHDPlus HR) is a scalable geospatial hydrography framework built from the high resolution National Hydrography Dataset, nationally complete Watershed Boundary Dataset, and 3D Elevation Program (3DEP) ? arc-second (10 meter ground spacing) digital elevation model data. The National Map download client allows free downloads of public domain NHDPlus HR data in Esri File Geodatabase format. For additional information on the NHDPlus HR, go to https://nhd.usgs.gov.There is a cached, updated yearly NHD dataset found at this URL.FCode defines the symbology, the codes can be found at this resource.Access the file geodatabase source data in SC State Plane coordinate system

The National Hydrography Dataset (NHD) High Resolution flowlines were used as a base to provide additional information on the connectivity of the stream network for the hydrographic basins in and around Montana. In addition to the attributes that are published as part of the NHD data, two fields were added to the attribute table to associate streams that do not have a Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) name with the GNIS name and NHD reachcode of the nearest downstream named flowline. The National Hydrography Dataset (NHD) is a feature-based database that interconnects and uniquely identifies the stream segments or reaches that make up the nation's surface water drainage system. NHD data were originally developed at 1:100,000-scale and exists at that scale for the whole country. This high-resolution NHD, generally developed at 1:24,000/1:12,000 scale, adds detail to the original 1:100,000-scale NHD. Local resolution NHD is being developed where partners and data exist. The NHD contains reach codes for networked features, flow direction, names, and centerline representations for areal water bodies. The NHD also incorporates the National Spatial Data Infrastructure framework criteria established by the Federal Geographic Data Committee. This dataset is NHD Model version 2.2.1. For more information on the NHD High Resolution dataset, see Model Diagram at: http://ftp.geoinfo.msl.mt.gov/Data/Spatial/MSDI/Hydrography.

[Metadata] Description: National Hydrography Dataset (NHD) Flowline features as of October, 2022. Source: USGS. Downloaded from USGS National Map download page in October, 2022. See also NHD Areas, Lines, Points and Waterbodies layers.For additional information, please refer to complete metadata at https://files.hawaii.gov/dbedt/op/gis/data/nhd_summary.pdf or contact Hawaii Statewide GIS Program, Office of Planning and Sustainable Development, State of Hawaii; PO Box 2359, Honolulu, Hi. 96804; (808) 587-2846; email: gis@hawaii.gov; Website: https://planning.hawaii.gov/gis.

These two shapefiles represent New Mexico NHD High Resolution stream segments and waterbodies, merged and clipped to the state boundary. RAW NHD High Resolution data, including additional layer files, is available from: https://viewer.nationalmap.gov/basic/

The Watershed Boundary Dataset (WBD) from The National Map (TNM) defines the perimeter of drainage areas formed by the terrain and other landscape characteristics. The drainage areas are nested within each other so that a large drainage area, such as the Upper Mississippi River, is composed of multiple smaller drainage areas, such as the Wisconsin River. Each of these smaller areas can further be subdivided into smaller and smaller drainage areas. The WBD uses six different levels in this hierarchy, with the smallest averaging about 30,000 acres. The WBD is made up of polygons nested into six levels of data respectively defined by Regions, Subregions, Basins, Subbasins, Watersheds, and Subwatersheds. For additional information on the WBD, go to https://nhd.usgs.gov/wbd.html. The USGS National Hydrography Dataset (NHD) service is a companion dataset to the WBD. The NHD is a comprehensive set of digital spatial data that encodes information about naturally occurring and constructed bodies of surface water (lakes, ponds, and reservoirs), paths through which water flows (canals, ditches, streams, and rivers), and related entities such as point features (springs, wells, stream gages, and dams). The information encoded about these features includes classification and other characteristics, delineation, geographic name, position and related measures, a "reach code" through which other information can be related to the NHD, and the direction of water flow. The network of reach codes delineating water and transported material flow allows users to trace movement in upstream and downstream directions. In addition to this geographic information, the dataset contains metadata that supports the exchange of future updates and improvements to the data. The NHD is available nationwide in two seamless datasets, one based on 1:24,000-scale maps and referred to as high resolution NHD, and the other based on 1:100,000-scale maps and referred to as medium resolution NHD. Additional selected areas in the United States are available based on larger scales, such as 1:5,000-scale or greater, and referred to as local resolution NHD. For more information on the NHD, go to https://nhd.usgs.gov/index.html. Hydrography data from The National Map supports many applications, such as making maps, geocoding observations, flow modeling, data maintenance, and stewardship. Hydrography data is commonly combined with other data themes, such as boundaries, elevation, structures, and transportation, to produce general reference base maps. The National Map viewer allows free downloads of public domain WBD and NHD data in either Esri File or Personal Geodatabase, or Shapefile formats. The Watershed Boundary Dataset is being developed under the leadership of the Subcommittee on Spatial Water Data, which is part of the Advisory Committee on Water Information (ACWI) and the Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC). The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), along with many other federal agencies and national associations, have representatives on the Subcommittee on Spatial Water Data. As watershed boundary geographic information systems (GIS) coverages are completed, statewide and national data layers will be made available via the Geospatial Data Gateway to everyone, including federal, state, local government agencies, researchers, private companies, utilities, environmental groups, and concerned citizens. The database will assist in planning and describing water use and related land use activities. Resources in this dataset:Resource Title: Watershed Boundary Dataset (WBD). File Name: Web Page, url: https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/national/water/watersheds/dataset/?cid=nrcs143_021630 Web site for the Watershed Boundary Dataset (WBD), including links to:

Review Data Availability (Status Maps) Obtain Data by State, County, or Other Area Obtain Seamless National Data offsite link image
Geospatial Data Tools National Technical and State Coordinators Information about WBD dataset

This polygon file depicts USGS Hydrologic Unit Code 8 (HUC8) boundaries intersecting Kansas. See https://www.usgs.gov/national-hydrography/national-hydrography-dataset and https://www.usgs.gov/national-hydrography/watershed-boundary-dataset for more information.The only modification to the data by KBS was the addition of a new attribute column containing a numerically formatted HUC identification number.Hosted Feature Layer: https://ku.maps.arcgis.com/home/item.html?id=11a5b743b5114a99908279d0876e456fSource data acquisition date: January 22, 2023Source data download directory: https://prd-tnm.s3.amazonaws.com/index.html?prefix=StagedProducts/Hydrography/NHD/State/GDB/Source data download file: NHD_H_Kansas_state_GDB.zip

The Watershed Boundary Dataset (WBD) from USGS' The National Map (TNM) defines the perimeter of drainage areas formed by the terrain and other landscape characteristics. The drainage areas are nested within each other so that a large drainage area, such as the Sacramento River, will be composed of multiple smaller drainage areas, such as the Feather River. Each of these smaller areas can further be subdivided into smaller and smaller drainage areas. The WBD uses six different levels in this hierarchy, with the smallest averaging about 30,000 acres. The WBD is made up of polygons nested into six levels of data respectively defined by Regions, Subregions, Basins, Subbasins, Watersheds, and Subwatersheds. For additional information on the WBD, go to https://www.usgs.gov/core-science-systems/ngp/national-hydrography/watershed-boundary-dataset. DWR was the steward for NHD and WBD in California. We worked with other organizations to edit and improve NHD and WBD, using the business rules for California. California's WBD improvements are sent to USGS for certification and incorporation to the national geodatabase. The certified WBD is included within the National Hydrography Dataset downloadable file geodatabase, and is also available in shapefile format and as web map services accessible from the USGS website. (https://www.usgs.gov/core-science-systems/ngp/national-hydrography/access-national-hydrography-products).

The final static version of the WBD was published in January 2025. No edits to this dataset are being accepted by USGS. Future mapping of drainage areas will be done by USGS as the 3D Hydrography Program (3DHP) is built out. DWR and its stewardship partners are actively producing LiDAR-derived hydrography data for inclusion in the California portion of 3DHP data and eventually its companion set of drainage areas. For now, the WBD is considered the authoritative source for watershed delineations in California.

(Link to Metadata) The Vermont Hydrography Dataset (VHD) is compliant with the local resolution (also known as High Resolution) National Hydrography Dataset (NHD) and is a feature-based database that interconnects and uniquely identifies the stream segments or reaches that make up the nation's surface water drainage system. Data users are highly encouraged to read this metadata thoroughly in order to avoid using the data beyond its limitations. This dataset is ONLY available for download from USGS's FTP site as a pre-staged ESRI File Geodatabase only (shapefile not available). Refer to VHDCARTO if you're looking for a layer of surface water data for cartographic purposes only. The VHD is based primarily on the Vermont Mapping Program (VMP) digital orthophotos, vmp "break line" features, and to a lesser degree on historical surface water data, NAPP cir multi-spectral aerial photography and CIR satellite imagery (lamoille and white subbasins only). The original VMP orthos had source dates ranging from 1994-2000 and these are being updated yearly. The VHD is organized at the subbasin level, a.k.a., the eight digit cataloging unit (HUC 8). The 17 Subbasins within or intersecting Vermont include: Black-Ottauquechee Rivers (1080106), Connecticut-Bellows Falls to Vernon Dam (1080107), Connecticut-Johns River to Waits River (1080103), Connecticut-Waits River to White River (1080104), Deerfield River (1080203), Hudson-Hoosic Rivers (2020003), Lake Champlain (2010008), Lake George (2010001), Lamoille River (2010005), Middle Connecticut River (1080201), Mississquoi River (2010007), Otter Creek (2010002), Passumpsic River (1080102), St. Francois River (1110000), Upper Connecticut River (1080101), White River (1080105) and Winooski River (2010003).

This data resource is a layer in a map service. To download it, please go to the "Layers" section of this page and click the name of the dataset. This will open a new page that features a download button. Open the Map Service: https://gis.chesapeakebay.net/ags/rest/services/Boundaries/CBW_NHDv21_catchment_albers_30m_2022/MapServer The catchment and catchment routing data in NHDv2.1 products are used to understand flow to and assess water quality impacts on the Chesapeake Bay. The areas of land captured in the catchments representing the watershed are outdated due to man-made storm drains and pumping practices. The modified 1:100k Catchments for the Chesapeake Bay Watershed layer is an updated National Hydrography Dataset Plus (NHDPlus) v2.1 catchment layer which incorporates storm drain information in Chesapeake City, Virginia, to better reflect flow to the Chesapeake Bay. The modified layer contains 83,628 catchments, covering a 170,470.97 square kilometer area. The modified catchments are still usable with other native NHDPlus products, including routing information and streamlines. NHDPlus is an integrated suite of application-ready geospatial data products, incorporating many of the best features of the National Hydrography Dataset (NHD), the National Elevation Dataset (NED), and the National Watershed Boundary Dataset (WBD). NHDPlus, based on the medium resolution NHD (1:100,000-scale), includes the stream network and improved linear networking, feature naming, and “value added attributes” (VAA). NHDPlus also includes elevation-derived catchments. The 30-meter resolution raster representation of the catchments can be downloaded at https://gis-data.chesapeakebay.net/NHD/Modified_CBW_NHDv21_catchment_raster.zip.