About Our Maps

When you click on an individual map or table on the subject index pages, you will get --

• An "Explanation of Analysis," information that is essential to proper interpretation of the map. If you use our analysis products, please be aware of our disclaimer.
• A link to a downloadable Postscript file you can use to print a map.
• A link to the related summary table if available.

Most of the analysis products on this site were created at the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) National Headquarters in Washington, D.C. and are National in scope. If you seek more local analysis, contact NRCS state and regional offices.

Data Sources

Our maps are based on the National Resources Inventory. If you are interested in re-creating our maps or in making your own maps you can obtain the NRI CD and use it in conjunction with our GIS coverages. The NRI CD contains important documentation about the reliability and appropriate uses of the data at various scales.

Listed below are links to information about how we make our maps.

• Basemaps - An index of our basemap layers with GIFs.
• GIS coverages - Downloadable metadata and Arc/Info coverages.
• Template - An explanation of our standard U.S. map template.
• References - A listing of references used in our "Explanation of Analysis" definitions.
• Printing - How to use Postscript files to print high quality copies of our maps.
• Code tables. Three codes commonly used by the NRI are:
  state FIPS codes, county FIPS codes, and 8-digit hydrologic unit codes.
  • More on FIPS codes.
  • More on hydrologic units.