Access National Hydrography ProductsThe 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.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.Statements of attribute accuracy are based on accuracy statements made for U.S. Geological Survey Digital Line Graph (DLG) data, which is estimated to be 98.5 percent. One or more of the following methods were used to test attribute accuracy: manual comparison of the source with hardcopy plots; symbolized display of the DLG on an interactive computer graphic system; selected attributes that could not be visually verified on plots or on screen were interactively queried and verified on screen. In addition, software validated feature types and characteristics against a master set of types and characteristics, checked that combinations of types and characteristics were valid, and that types and characteristics were valid for the delineation of the feature. Feature types, characteristics, and other attributes conform to the Standards for National Hydrography Dataset (USGS, 1999) as of the date they were loaded into the database. All names were validated against a current extract from the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS). The entry and identifier for the names match those in the GNIS. The association of each name to reaches has been interactively checked, however, operator error could in some cases apply a name to a wrong reach.Points, nodes, lines, and areas conform to topological rules. Lines intersect only at nodes, and all nodes anchor the ends of lines. Lines do not overshoot or undershoot other lines where they are supposed to meet. There are no duplicate lines. Lines bound areas and lines identify the areas to the left and right of the lines. Gaps and overlaps among areas do not exist. All areas close.The completeness of the data reflects the content of the sources, which most often are the published USGS topographic quadrangle and/or the USDA Forest Service Primary Base Series (PBS) map. The USGS topographic quadrangle is usually supplemented by Digital Orthophoto Quadrangles (DOQs). Features found on the ground may have been eliminated or generalized on the source map because of scale and legibility constraints. In general, streams longer than one mile (approximately 1.6 kilometers) were collected. Most streams that flow from a lake were collected regardless of their length. Only definite channels were collected so not all swamp/marsh features have stream/rivers delineated through them. Lake/ponds having an area greater than 6 acres were collected. Note, however, that these general rules were applied unevenly among maps during compilation. Reach codes are defined on all features of type stream/river, canal/ditch, artificial path, coastline, and connector. Waterbody reach codes are defined on all lake/pond and most reservoir features. Names were applied from the GNIS database. Detailed capture conditions are provided for every feature type in the Standards for National Hydrography Dataset available online through https://prd-wret.s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/atoms/files/NHD%201999%20Draft%20Standards%20-%20Capture%20conditions.PDF.Statements of horizontal positional accuracy are based on accuracy statements made for U.S. Geological Survey topographic quadrangle maps. These maps were compiled to meet National Map Accuracy Standards. For horizontal accuracy, this standard is met if at least 90 percent of points tested are within 0.02 inch (at map scale) of the true position. Additional offsets to positions may have been introduced where feature density is high to improve the legibility of map symbols. In addition, the digitizing of maps is estimated to contain a horizontal positional error of less than or equal to 0.003 inch standard error (at map scale) in the two component directions relative to the source maps. Visual comparison between the map graphic (including digital scans of the graphic) and plots or digital displays of points, lines, and areas, is used as control to assess the positional accuracy of digital data. Digital map elements along the adjoining edges of data sets are aligned if they are within a 0.02 inch tolerance (at map scale). Features with like dimensionality (for example, features that all are delineated with lines), with or without like characteristics, that are within the tolerance are aligned by moving the features equally to a common point. Features outside the tolerance are not moved; instead, a feature of type connector is added to join the features.Statements of vertical positional accuracy for elevation of water surfaces are based on accuracy statements made for U.S. Geological Survey topographic quadrangle maps. These maps were compiled to meet National Map Accuracy Standards. For vertical accuracy, this standard is met if at least 90 percent of well-defined points tested are within one-half contour interval of the correct value. Elevations of water surface printed on the published map meet this standard; the contour intervals of the maps vary. These elevations were transcribed into the digital data; the accuracy of this transcription was checked by visual comparison between the data and the map.

These data provide an accurate high-resolution shoreline compiled from imagery of RAPPAHANNOCK RIVER, PAYNES ISLAND TO FREDERICKSBURG, VA . This vector shoreline data is based on an office interpretation of imagery that may be suitable as a geographic information system (GIS) data layer. This metadata describes information for both the line and point shapefiles. The NGS attribution scheme 'Coastal Cartographic Object Attribute Source Table (C-COAST)' was developed to conform the attribution of various sources of shoreline data into one attribution catalog. C-COAST is not a recognized standard, but was influenced by the International Hydrographic Organization's S-57 Object-Attribute standard so the data would be more accurately translated into S-57. This resource is a member of https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/inport/item/39808

These data provide an accurate high-resolution shoreline compiled from imagery of NORTH BANK RAPPAHANNOCK RIVER, MULBERRY POINT TO CARTER CREEK, VA . This vector shoreline data is based on an office interpretation of imagery that may be suitable as a geographic information system (GIS) data layer. This metadata describes information for both the line and point shapefiles. The NGS attribution scheme 'Coastal Cartographic Object Attribute Source Table (C-COAST)' was developed to conform the attribution of various sources of shoreline data into one attribution catalog. C-COAST is not a recognized standard, but was influenced by the International Hydrographic Organization's S-57 Object-Attribute standard so the data would be more accurately translated into S-57. This resource is a member of https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/inport/item/39808

These data provide an accurate high-resolution shoreline compiled from imagery of SOUTH BANK OF THE RAPPAHANNOCK RIVER, MEACHIM CREEK TO BLANDFIELD POINT, VA . This vector shoreline data is based on an office interpretation of imagery that may be suitable as a geographic information system (GIS) data layer. This metadata describes information for both the line and point shapefiles. The NGS attribution scheme 'Coastal Cartographic Object Attribute Source Table (C-COAST)' was developed to conform the attribution of various sources of shoreline data into one attribution catalog. C-COAST is not a recognized standard, but was influenced by the International Hydrographic Organization's S-57 Object-Attribute standard so the data would be more accurately translated into S-57. This resource is a member of https://res1wwwd-o-tfisheriesd-o-tnoaad-o-tgov.vcapture.xyz/inport/item/39808

These data were automated to provide an accurate high-resolution historical shoreline of Potomac and Rappahannock Rivers, Vicinity of Lewisetta to Caret, VA suitable as a geographic information system (GIS) data layer. These data are derived from shoreline maps that were produced by the NOAA National Ocean Service including its predecessor agencies which were based on an office interpretation of imagery and/or field survey. The NGS attribution scheme 'Coastal Cartographic Object Attribute Source Table (C-COAST)' was developed to conform the attribution of various sources of shoreline data into one attribution catalog. C-COAST is not a recognized standard, but was influenced by the International Hydrographic Organization's S-57 Object-Attribute standard so the data would be more accurately translated into S-57. This resource is a member of https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/inport/item/39808

This data set contains boundary layers for the Rappahannock River Valley National Wildlife Refuge in Virginia.

National Wildlife Refuges are federal lands managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). The primary source for boundary information is the USFWS Realty program (status maps, legal surveys). An effort by the USFWS Region 5 (northeast states -ME,NH,VT, MA, RI, CT, NY, PA, NJ, MD, DE, WV, VA) Realty Division, Cartography and Spatial Data Services Branch has resulted in digital refuge boundaries for all refuges in the northeast at a scale of 1:24,000. In 1995, USFWS received approval to acquire up to 20,000 acres within the approved refuge boundary for Rappahannock River Valley National Wildlife Refuge. The majority of acquisition will occur in selected areas of riverfront and along certain tributaries. These selected areas were outlined in the 1995 Environmental Assessment entitled, "Proposal to Establish the Rappahannock River Valley National Wildlife Refuge".

The purpose of this data is to serve as a spatial reference of refuge boundaries for other data layers in GIS and mapping applications. It is specifically not intended to be used as a land survey or representation of land for conveyance or tax purposes.

Status maps were registered to geographic coordinates, boundaries were digitized and labeled. Digital files were updated using survey and collateral data for newly acquired tracts, then stepped through 3 levels of quality-control review for spatial and thematic accuracy. Complete process description can be found in "Service Lands Boundary Data SOP". Rappahannock River Valley NWR boundary lines were registered to 1:12,000-scale digital orthophoto quarter quads. File updated in July 2000 to include legislatively approved acquisition boundary. File updated to include newly acquired tracts.

Refuge boundaries define areas that are approved by U.S. Congress for acquisition into the National Wildlife Refuge System, or are currently owned by USFWS. Arcs are coded with an item "boundary" with the type of boundary line; polygons are coded with an item "status" that describes their ownership status.

[Summary provided by U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service]

LanduseThis feature layer details and describes the various uses for land within Stafford County, Virginia.These are the categories:FederalSuburban NorthSuburban StaffordshireParksPlanning Area - Warrenton RoadPlanning Area - CourthousePlanning Area - Boswell's CornerPlanning Area - Central StaffordPlanning Area - Historic Falmouth VillagePlanning Area - Rappahannock RecreationPlanning Area - Potomac LandingPlanning Area - Old Banks RecreationPlanning Area - Leeland Town StationPlanning Area - Brooke StationPlanning Area - Aquia Town CenterResource ProtectionSuburban SouthPlanning Area - WidewaterPlanning Area - The Marina DistrictPlanning Area - Central StaffordBusiness and IndustryRuralMiningThis map was created by the Stafford County GIS Office.

The National Wetlands Inventory (NWI) wetlands layer for Virginia (obtained from https://www.fws.gov/node/264847 on April 27, 2023) was clipped to a 200 foot buffer around Essex County, Virginia. Then, a 100 foot buffer was created around those wetlands within 200 feet of Essex County. Then, that 100 foot buffer around the wetlands was clipped to the boundaries of Essex County. Because the NWI water line for the Rappahannock River was set back from the land, according to visual inspection of the imagery, the Mean High Water (MHW) for 2020 was obtained from the Virginia Coastal Resilience Master Plan, Open Data Portal (https://crmp-vdcr.hub.arcgis.com/content/2245e46c13c54b089786cef25ea14263/about). The data file covered the entire Virginia portion of the Chesapeake Bay tributary system, so the data was clipped to the 200 foot buffer around Essex County. Then, a 100 foot buffer from the MHW line was created, and then merged with the wetlands buffer. The resulting combined buffer was then clipped to a 200 foot buffer of the Census cartographic boundary of Essex County, so that the whole Rappahannock would not be marked as an RPA. This is the Resource Protection Area, following the guidance from https://law.lis.virginia.gov/admincode/title9/agency25/chapter830/section80/.