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Last active August 29, 2015 13:58
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Using NHD in Tilemill
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nhd.md

For most maps, detailed hydrography isn't important, which means OSM works just fine. For the finer scale, restoration oriented maps than I need to create for SHARE, the OSM data is not up to snuff.

The benefits of NHD data are:

  • Lines for ephemeral, intermittent, and perennial streams. OSM data data does not even consist of a network, just the outlines of larger water bodies.
  • It's a continuous network, with appropriate hunctions.

Things that suck:

  • There are SO many line-strings
  • Labelling is tough.

The saving grace of NHD data, is that each line has an FCode attribute. Here are the relevant data:

  • 55800 - Artificial paths (larger rivers)
  • 46003 - Intermittent streams
  • 46006 - Perennial streams

OSM Waterways

Linear features (Rivers & Streams)

  • waterway=river
  • waterway=stream
  • intermittent=yes
  • natural-spring
  • waterway=dam

Resources

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