FINAL REPORT - International Joint Commission

• Metadata requirements
Metadata is “data about data” and is used to describe the content, quality, condition, and other
characteristics of data. The production of compliant metadata was strongly recommended to all study
participants to enable the discovery and distribution of study holdings.
• Common geographic nomenclature
The purpose of common geographic nomenclature was to ensure that consistency within the Study
in terms of the names of geospatial entities.
ANNEX 2
Framework Data Creation
The Study participated in a bi-national project funded by GeoConnections, a federal entity in Canada, and
the U.S. Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC) to create geospatial framework data that was
consistent across the border. Geospatial framework data include: political boundaries, hydrologic features,
transportation networks, elevation data, imagery and horizontal/vertical control networks. The additional
funding provided through this project enhanced the quality of datasets used in coastal process modeling
and environmental analyses.
Emphasis on horizontal integration of geospatial data across jurisdictional boundaries was problematic due
to varying scales of source information. Different jurisdictions have used different data standards and
processing methods, preventing common digital data themes from connecting cleanly at the jurisdictional
boundaries. Adjustments to one or more data layers were necessary to insure connectivity. Vertical integration
of data (e.g., more information content at smaller scales) was particularly difficult due to inconsistencies
of classification approaches and incomplete datasets. Hence, the framework data themes were corrected
to a large degree, but required substantial manpower. Many non-framework geospatial data themes
(e.g., environmental, recreational boating and municipal features) did not have the same level of horizontal
and vertical integration.
Options for Managing Lake Ontario and St. Lawrence River Water Levels and Flows
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