MANASOTA & PEACE RIVER BBDs Meeting Notebook 10-21-09.docx

B251
National Hydrography Database (NHD)
Project Type Basin Initiatives
AOR(s)
Water Supply, Flood Protection, Water Quality, Natural Systems
Basin(s) General Fund (District), Alafia River, Hillsborough River, Northwest Hillsborough, Coastal Rivers,
Pinellas-Anclote River, Withlacoochee River, Peace River, Manasota
Cooperator(s)
N/A
Project Manager KARLIN, AL
Task Manager(s)
Status Ongoing
Description
The NHD is a comprehensive set of Geographic Information System (GIS) data that contains information about
surface water features such as lakes, ponds, streams, rivers, springs and wells. This dataset was created by the
United States Geological Survey (USGS) in cooperation with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to provide a
consistent nationwide database to link water-related data to specific streams and waterbodies. The five water
management districts and the FDEP cooperatively created Florida's original version of the NHD in the late 1990's and
early 2000's. The dataset was created using the best available information, hydrographic features found on the USGS
7.5 Minute Topographic Quadrangles. While the original NHD supports many District uses, it often does not have the
level of information required to support detailed modeling efforts. The funding proposed here will be used to upgrade
the NHD dataset for our jurisdiction using detailed hydrographic information captured under the District's Watershed
Management Program. Similar efforts are underway at the St. Johns River Water Management District and are being
evaluated at the South Florida Water Management District.
Benefits
Participating in the NHD update effort provides an effective mechanism for integrating our detailed hydrographic
information into a nationwide database that is distributed by the USGS. Since the NHD is used by the FDEP and other
water management districts, the District's modeling and data collection efforts will benefit from improved data
consistency with those agencies. This project benefits federal, state, local, and private entities by providing access to
the District's detailed hydrographic data in an industry standard format.
Costs
The requested FY2008 funds will be used to fund a contract position and supporting services at FDEP to update the
NHD and transfer the data to the USGS. Funding is split between the Governing Board and Basin Boards. The
Governing Board provides fifty percent of the total project cost with the remainder being split between the Basin Board
based on area. It is anticipated that this will be an annual budget request that will continue to provide updates to the
NHD in coordination with the District's Watershed Management Program. The FY2009 budget will increase by
approximately $2000 to accommodate the FDEP changes for indirect costs.
Additional Information
No federal, state or local government currently updates the NHD for our area. The District does not have sufficient
in-house resources to support this effort and the funding will be used to outsource this work to the FDEP. FDEP is the
primary NHD coordinating body in Florida.
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