Texas Natural Resources Information System
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| TNRIS | |
|---|---|
 |
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| Type | State Government |
| Founded | Austin, Texas (1968) |
| Headquarters | Austin, Texas, USA |
| Key people | Jim Scott, Director |
| Industry | Geographic Information Systems (GIS) |
| Products | Historical and Current Aerial Photography Current and Historical USGS Printed Maps GIS Education Public Domain Data Warehouse |
| Employees | 15 |
| Website | www.tnris.org |
The Texas Natural Resources Information System (TNRIS) is the principal state archive in Texas for natural resources data. TNRIS provides a central access point for Texas Natural Resources data, census data, digital and paper maps, and information about datasets collected by state agencies and other organizations. TNRIS is a division of the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) and receives guidance from the Texas Geographic Information Council (TGIC).
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[edit] History
TNRIS was established by the Legislature in 1968 as the Texas Water-Oriented Data Bank. In 1972, after four years of growth and diversification, it was renamed the Texas Natural Resources Information System. The mission of TNRIS is to provide a "centralized information system incorporating all Texas natural resource data, socioeconomic data related to natural resources, and indexes related to that data that are collected by state agencies or other entities." (Texas Water Code, 16.021).
The staff includes individuals trained in the natural, computer and library sciences. TNRIS supplies data to government, academia, private sector, and to the public.
The TNRIS offices are located in the Stephen F. Austin Building, 1700 North Congress Avenue, in Austin, Texas.
TNRIS is a division of the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB). The TWDB receives advice on the operation of TNRIS from the Texas Geographic Information Council (TGIC), a geographic data planning and coordination group serving state and regional government agencies in the State of Texas. TGIC also advises the Executive Director of the Department of Information Resources on statewide rules and guidelines for agency use of geographic information technologies.
[edit] Organizational Structure
[edit] Research and Distribution
The Research and Distribution Center (RDC) provides research materials and assistance in locating maps, reports, and information. The Research Center collection includes aerial photographs, USGS topographic maps, wetlands maps, Census maps and reports, and water resources records.
Aerial Photographs TNRIS has a large collection of remotely sensed imagery from various sources that is available to researchers and to the public. Holdings include photographs from the Texas Department of Transportation, the USDA-SCS, the USGS, NASA and private aerial survey companies. These aerial photos span several decades and can be used for historical change analysis. The collection (over 600,000 photos) contains predominantly black and white prints. The photography archive is open to the public, but materials must be used and copied in-house. RDC staff are scanning this valuable aerial photo collection and will make it available on CD-ROM and on the Internet.
Maps TNRIS holdings include many types of federal, state, and specialized maps. TNRIS serves as a repository and distribution center for USGS topographic maps, National Wetlands Inventory (NWI) maps, current FEMA flood hazard maps, river basin and aquifer maps, well driller’s maps, and historic topographic maps. The current series of USGS topographic maps for Texas can be purchased from TNRIS. Historic topographic maps, FEMA maps, land use maps, and wetland maps can be used for research in-house or sent out to be copied. River basin, aquifer, and well driller’s maps are produced on demand. TNRIS’ collection of historic aerial photos are being scanned and made available in digital format. RDC staff assists customers with research projects, fills map orders, and arranges photocopying and reproduction services.
[edit] StratMap
Unlike the archival and clearinghouse activities of other TNRIS branches, the main function of The Texas Strategic Mapping Program (StratMap) is to create data for public distribution. StratMap manages the production and maintenance of seven high-resolution digital data layers for each of the 4376 7.5-minute quadrangles covering Texas. The statewide datasets include 1:12,000 scale color infrared orthoimagery, 1:24,000 scale digital elevation models and 1:24,000 scale digitized hypsography (elevation contours and spot elevations), hydrography (flowing water, water bodies and marshlands), soils (NRCS Soil Survey Geographic Data Base coverages), transportation (streets, roads, railroads and pipelines) and boundaries (counties, city limits, federal lands, state parks). Through StratMap, Texans receive the most comprehensive and highest quality statewide base mapping data layers available in the USA. With the completion of phase 1 data layers, StratMap is creating National Hydrography Dataset (NHD) for Texas, (a new 1:12,000 digital hydrography layer), creating new digital orthophotos, and updating phase 1 datasets.
Stratmap is also participating in the National Map of Texas, which incorporates the best available local data with statewide framework datasets to provide the most accurate and complete digital data for the public. StratMap is working with partners to create county mosaics of ortho imagery. With the successful completion of the seven basic data layers, StratMap is now working to update, improve, and create new data for Texas. 2004 will see the creation of new DOQs, the enhancement of rapidly changing data layers such as transportation and political boundaries, and the creation of new, high-resolution National Hydrography Dataset.
[edit] StratMap Data Layers
[edit] Transportation
The StratMap statewide transportation dataset is a publicly available digital data layer which serves as a cartographic product for seamless basemap production.
StratMap Transportation
[edit] Political Boundaries
The StratMap political boundary dataset contains: Political jurisdictions, City boundaries, County boundaries, State boundaries and federal parks, Landmark boundaries (airports, universities, wildlife refuges, and military bases)
Political Boundaries
[edit] Hydrography - NHD
The 1:24,000 National Hydrography Dataset (NHD), jointly developed by the US Geological Survey (USGS) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), is a hydrologic data network designed to show all surface water features including rivers and streams, ponds and lakes, springs, canals, wetlands, and shorelines.
Hydrography - NHD
[edit] Elevation (Hypsography/Digital Elevation Models)
The elevation data consists of contours and digital elevation models (DEM).
Elevation
[edit] Soil Survery Geographic Dataset (SSURGO)
The SSURGO dataset was developed in partnership with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and is an updated digital version of the county soil surveys.
Elevation
[edit] National Agriculture Imagery Program (NAIP) and DOQQ Imagery
A Digital Orthophoto Quadrangle (DOQ) is a digital mapping product that combines the geometric qualities of a map with the detail of an aerial photograph. DOQs are digitally derived aerial photos that have been corrected so image distortion caused by perspective, camera tilt, and terrain relief are removed. Distances, bearings, and area calculations can all be measured on DOQs.
DOQQ
[edit] Borderlands Information Center
The Texas/Mexico Borderlands Information Center (BIC) is a central repository, dissemination, and referral center for natural resource and census data covering both sides of the Texas/Mexico border region. It also promotes closer ties, communication, and data sharing among agencies involved in border issues to reduce redundant data collection and project activities. The BIC is supported by the EPA, which provides funding for a full-time staff member, data purchases, and other expenditures needed to operate the Center and establish contacts in Mexico. The aim of the BIC is to be thoroughly binational in scope and to encourage a free interchange of data and information among institutions on both sides of the border.
The BIC provides a catalog of data and information, several Internet websites, listings of data available through the center, and a newsletter to promote data sharing and discuss border-related issues. BIC staff conduct an ongoing inventory of borderlands geospatial data and information about environmental projects. An outreach function of BIC is sponsorship of border meetings and symposia, as well as workshops and presentations on border environmental issues. The geographic area covered is approximately 100 kilometers either side of the Rio Grande in Texas and Mexico. Data include water quality, level and streamflow, meteorological reports, paper and digital maps, aerial photos and satellite imagery, and census publications.
[edit] External links
- www.tnris.org Official Agency Site
- Texas Water Development Board Parent Agency
