UCB Libraries

2006 Aerial Photography from DRCOG: Boulder County +parts of Weld and Broomfield Counties.

• Color, orthorectified imagery with a one‐foot pixel resolution and a spatial accuracy of approximately four feet. (Map Library public GIS computer)
  

   

Digital historical aerial photographs for the city of Boulder

• Every decade from 1950s‐1990s (Not georeferenced. Ask Map staff for details).
• Also see Historical Aerial Photographs of Colorado

 

TPCs (Tactical Pilotage Charts): Georeferenced topographic/aeronautical maps. 1:500,000. Includes coverage for most of the world. (Map Library public GIS computer)

 

Geocover™ 2000 and 1990: Landsat 4/5 and Landsat 7 satellite imagery mosaics for the world. (Map Library public GIS computer) Also available online.

 

SRTM (Shuttle Radar Topography Mission): 90m DEMs for the world. (Map Library public GIS computer) Also available online.

  

VMAP0: Vector data layers for the world at 1:1 million. Includes major road and rail networks, hydrologic drainage systems, utility networks, elevation and depth contours, coastlines, international boundaries, vegetation, populated places and more. (Map Library public GIS computer) Also available online.

 

World Vector Shoreline Plus: Coastlines, political boundaries, oceans, and bathymetry for the world at scales from 1:250,000 to 1:120,000,000. Coverage varies by scale. (Map Library public GIS computer). Also available online.

 

The Map Library has one public workstation available for GIS use with ArcGIS software.
Please bring a writable CD/DVD or USB flash drive to store your work.

Software

ArcGIS (ArcInfo package updated regularly through campus site license)

Adobe Photoshop Elements

Microsoft Windows XP

 

Hardware

HPxw4300

Intel Pentium(R) D CPU 3.20GHz

1.00 GB of RAM

24" flatscreen monitor
DVD/CD-ROM R/RW drive

 

Printing, Copying and Scanning

The GIS computer prints to an 11"x17" color printer.

The MFD (multi-function device) in the map library copies and scans in color or black and white. More information

 

Computer Labs on Campus

To find a computer lab on campus that has ESRI GIS software, search here. Enter "esri" in the "software developer" search box.

 

USDA Geospatial Data Gateway (Natural Resources Conservation Service)
The "one stop source of environmental and natural resources data."

Includes Transportation, Census, Hydrography, Hydrology, Topographic (DRGs), Quadrangle Indexes, Elevation, Ortho Imagery, Geographic Names, Land Use Land Cover, Soils, Conservation Easements, Climate, Precipitation, and Temperature

• *Click on "Get Data" green button, then select "Colorado" from list of states in drop-down menu.

ColoradoView

Remote sensing and geospatial data, including Landsat, MODIS, aerial remote sensing (10 meter Digital Elevation Model (DEM)), and aerial photography of selected Colorado features.

Political and natural resources geospatial data for Colorado and the U.S. (Political: Colorado Census Bureau, Colorado Department of Local Affairs, Colorado Quads, boundaries, roads, etc. Natural Resources: Colorado Division of Wildlife, Colorado Bureau of Land Management, Colorado Hydrology, Colorado Geology, Colorado Soil, Colorado Oil and Gas, and others.)

 

Colorado Geological Survey

Has a fair amount of data, but the search tools are not great. Need to browse the Bookstore. (Tip: they are not just found in the Free Downloads section.) Other datasets seem to exist outside of the Bookstore, but are hard to find. (The Abandoned Mine Lands dataset is one example: http://geosurvey.state.co.us/water/Abandoned%20Mine%20Land/Pages/UnitedStatesForestServiceAbandonedMineLandInventoryProject.aspx)

 

Colorado Geologic Map Data (USGS)

A GIS database of geologic units and structural features in Colorado, with lithology, age, data structure, and format written and arranged just like the other states.

 

DRCOG: Denver Regional Council of Governments
Regional data and maps

 

Niwot Ridge Long-Term Ecological Research Site
Downloadable GIS data for Niwot Ridge and Green Lakes Valley.

 

Niwot Ridge and Green Lakes Valley

High resolution orthoimagery and DEMs

 

San Juan Mountains: GIS Data and Resources

Data from USGS, NAIP, CDOT, DOW, Census and others for the San Juan Mountain region

Bureau of Land Managment (BLM) Colorado
Datasets for Colorado from the Bureau of Land Management-Colorado.

 

Colorado's Decision Support Systems
Colorado Water Conservation Board and Colorado Division of Water Resources. Site includes downloadable data and a map viewer.

 

Colorado Department of Local Affairs
Political boundaries, TIGER 2010, 2000, 1995

 

Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT)

Data available as statewide or county files.

 

Colorado Division of Water Resources
Download GIS datasets for a wide range of water related research

 

Colorado Division of Wildlife's Natural Diversity Information Source
Species maps, vegetation, hydrography, and CDOW boundary data. Also see the Natural Diversity Information Source for interactive maps and data such as land use, development, hunting, and more.

 

Colorado Spatial Reference Network
Information about continuously operating Global Positioning System (GPS) reference stations and networks located throughout the state.

 

COMap (Colorado Ownership, Management, and Protection dataset)
The COMaP project gathers and manages data to map the status of Colorado’s protected areas and shares the data with interested parties. Current contributors to the project include: U.S. Forest Service, National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, Fish and Wildlife Service, Colorado State Parks, Colorado State Land Board, Colorado Division of Wildlife, and The Nature Conservancy.

 

CORRD: Colorado Renewable Resource Database
An interactive map of wind classes, transmission lines, and federal lands in Colorado. Click on "download maps" to download datasets, including wind speed. (Works best in Internet Explorer.)

 

U.S. Fish and Wildlife: Data for Colorado

USFWS Mountain-Prairie Region GIS Data Repository

 

US Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Region GIS Data Library
Data files are in compressed KML (KMZ) format.

 

USDA Geospatial Data Gateway (Natural Resources Conservation Service): Order by State

Order map layers for an entire state

 

AmericaView: Imagery and Data Resource (USGS)

"StateViews provide data archives or links to Landsat and other public domain imagery depending on the needs of the specific state."

• Map with links to the 39 participating states

State Data GIS Clearinghouse Directory

List of state GIS resources at GISuser.com, sponsored by ESRI

 

State Data Centers and Clearinghouses

List from the GIS Data & Imagery GeoBlog

 

GIS Data Depot

Data listed by state. (Requires free registration.)

 

University of Arkansas: Maps and Geographic Information Systems

Data listed by state.

 

USDA Geospatial Data Gateway (Natural Resources Conservation Service)
The "one stop source of environmental and natural resources data."

Includes Transportation, Census, Hydrography, Hydrology, Topographic (DRGs), Quadrangle Indexes, Elevation, Ortho Imagery, Geographic Names, Land Use Land Cover, Soils, Conservation Easements, Climate, Precipitation, and Temperature

 

National Map Viewer (USGS)
Tool to download data. Base Data Layers: Structures, Transportation, Hydrography, Land Cover, Contours, Imagery

 

Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center (USGS)
Very helpful in navigating the vast expanse of USGS datasets available. Browse by type of data or by data discovery tool. (Aerial photography, satellite imagery, elevation, land cover)

EROS Data Discovery Tools

• Earth Explorer Search, preview, and download individual High Resolution Orthoimagery files. Search by map interface, text search, or coordinates.
• GloVis Search and order tool for aerial and satellite products distributed by the USGS and NASA. Graphical map interface.
• Seamless Data Warehouse Nice descriptions of National Elevation Dataset, National Land Cover Dataset, High Resolution Orthoimagery, and more. Has a variety of tools to access the data including an interactive viewer, links to various web map services, and an ArcGIS Toolbar for download.
• Cumulus Portal for Geospatial Data Orthoimagery, elevation, land cover.

Maps, Imagery, and Publications(USGS)

Overview of several USGS datasets including Digital Line Graphs (DLGs), Digital Orthophoto Quadrangles (DOQs), National Elevation Dataset (NED), National Hydrography Dataset (NHD), Land Use and Land Cover Data.

 

Center for LIDAR Information Coordination and Knowledge (CLICK) (USGS)
Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) Data Viewer, bare earth elevation data

 

Mineral Resources Program Spatial Datasets (USGS)  

Interactive maps and downloadable data for regional and global Geology, Geochemistry, Geophysics, and Mineral Resources)

• USGS List of Digital State Geologic Maps from the Mineral Resources Program.

National Geologic Map Database (USGS)
Database to search for geologic maps, reports, and data. Includes USGS and state geological survey publications.
*In "Category 3: Product Format," select "Digital –Includes GIS Data" to limit your search

*Can also limit by state or territory in "Category 2: Geographic Area"

 

Water Resources of the United States (USGS)

Includes groundwater, surface water, watershed, water quality

Bureau of Land Management
List of various federal-level BLM GIS data sites and data sites by state.

 

Bureau of Ocean Energy Management

"Data files for BOEM Offshore block grids, boundaries, active leases, wells, pipelines, and more."

 

Census Data

• American FactFinder
  Contains U.S. population, housing, industry, and business data. Can be accessed by dataset or topic.
• Census Resources from the UCB Libraries, Government Information Library
• U.S. Census Bureau Geographic Services and Information (2010 and 2000 Census Geographic Products, TIGER Page, Census Tract Resources, Maps and Mapping Resources)
• U.S. Census Bureau Cartographic Boundary Files: U.S. and state boundaries, Congressional Districts, Census tracts, etc.
• Esri: ArcGIS Census Resource Page
  • 2010 U.S. Census Datasets
  • Census 2000 TIGER/Line Data

Digital Coast (NOAA Coastal Services Center)

Access to coastal data managed by the NOAA Coastal Services Center, including lidar, land cover, imagery, and benthic data.

 

EPA Environmental Dataset Gateway
Easy to use search interface for water quality, hazardous waste, and other environmental data the EPA collects.

 

FSGeodata Clearinghouse (Forest Service)

Clearinghouse of the U.S. Forest Service: digital maps, vector data, raster data and links to other GIS data collections and resources.

 

GIS Data Depot

Nationwide data. (Requires free registration.)

 

The National Atlas
Downloadable reference and thematic GIS data (plus interactive and printable maps).

 

The National Map
High-quality current digital geographic data including topographic and bathymetric map data, satellite and aerial photography, geographic names, land cover data, hydrographic data, transportation data, and administrative data. Downloading is still a bit complex with some data layers.

 

National Geodetic Survey, Remote Sensing Division (NOAA)
Includes the Aeronautical Survey Program, the Coastal Mapping Program and Emergency Response Imagery

National Park Service: GIS Homepage
GIS data available for the National Parks. Also, the NPS’s use of GIS and technical applications.

National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL): Dynamic Maps and GIS Data
Biomass, solar, and wind datasets, available for download.

 

National Center for Airborne Laser Mapping (NCALM)

"This site provides public access to high-resolution airborne laser swath mapping data (ALSM) acquired by NCALM for NSF sponsored research projects...The interface also provides on the fly, multi-resolution shaded relief overlays for the LIDAR DEM that can be used to preview the data and see the accurate extent of the dataset.”

 

U.S. Fish and Wildlife: National GIS Datasets

Coastal Barrier Resources System, Critical Habitat, USFWS Ecosystem Regions, Landscape Conservation Cooperatives, Migratory Bird Conservation, North American Bird Conservation Joint Ventures, National Wetlands Inventory, National Wildlife Refuge System: Boundary, Roads, Trails

 

Urban Transition Project
"The Urban Transition Historical GIS Project is directed by John Logan, Professor of Sociology at Brown University. It uses historical census data to document the state of U.S. cities from the end of the 19th Century into the early 20th Century." Includes web-based maps and downloadable data.

DIVA-GIS

"Download country level data for any country in the world: administrative boundaries, roads, railroads, altitude, land cover, population density."

 

GIS Data Depot

Data downloads and custom CD creation. Search by country to download GIS data. Lots of free data. Requires free registration.

 

International Geospatial and Attribute Links

University of Arkansas, Maps and Geographic Information Systems

GeoGratis
Canada's geospatial data clearinghouse.

 

Digital Geoscience Maps
"The Geological Survey of Canada (GSC) has published about 400 maps digitally over the past 15 years. The geological polygons for approximately 250 of these maps are currently being made available to find, preview, and download as ESRI shape files through this map search tool."

 

Canadian Geospatial Data
List of national and provincial GIS data sources compiled by the Association of Canadian Map Libraries and Archives (ACMLA)

 

Centre d'information géographique et statistique of the Université Laval Library :

Data for Canada, interface in French.

• Géoindex (cartographic interface)
• Data by categories
  

GEORIA - University of Toronto
Georeferenced Databases for Assessing the Historical Conditions of Health and Environmental Problems: various historical data, including census data, for Canada.

 

Statistics Canada: Census Geography
Maps and GIS data from the Canadian Census. Includes a very helpful citation guide.

 

ASTER GDEM
30m DEMs for the world. Downloadable, but a bit hard to navigate.

 

CIESIN (Center for International Earth Science Information Network) Earth Institute, Columbia University

Interdisciplinary research related to human interactions in the environment

CIESIN hosts:

• Socioeconomic Data and Applications Center (SEDAC)
  SEDAC focuses on human interactions in the environment. Data set themes include agriculture, climate, conservation, hazards, health, infrastructure, land use, marine and coastal, population, poverty, remote sensing, sustainability, urban, and water.
• Data Distribution Centre, Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
  "Access to baseline and scenario data related to population, economic development, technology and natural resources for use in climate impact assessments."
• World Data Center for Human Interactions in the Environment
  "A portal to a wide range of global data focusing on population, sustainability, poverty, health, hazards, conservation, governance, and climate."

Climate Data Online (National Climatic Data Center, NOAA)

US and international climate data

 

Digital Elevation Model (DEM) Discovery Portal (National Geophysical Data Center, NOAA)

DEMs may be bathymetric, topographic, or a merged combination of both.

 

Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center (USGS)
Very helpful in navigating the vast expanse of USGS datasets available. Satellite imagery, elevation, land cover.

EROS Data Discovery Tools

• Earth Explorer Search, preview, and download individual High Resolution Orthoimagery files. Search by map interface, text search, or coordinates.
• GloVis Search and order tool for aerial and satellite products distributed by the USGS and NASA. Graphical map interface.
• Seamless Data Warehouse Nice descriptions of National Elevation Dataset, National Land Cover Dataset, High Resolution Orthoimagery, and more. Has a variety of tools to access the data including an interactive viewer, links to various web map services, and an ArcGIS Toolbar for download.
• Cumulus Portal for Geospatial Data Orthoimagery, elevation, land cover.

Environmental Data Explorer, United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP)

Environmental data, covering themes like Freshwater, Population, Forests, Emissions, Climate, Disasters, Health and GDP.

 

Epi Info, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Administrative boundaries for all seven continents. Links to demographic, health, and environmental data.

 

Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations: GeoNetwork

Portal to geospatial data from the Food and Agriculture Organization. Dataset categories: administrative and political boundaries, agriculture and livestock, applied ecology, biological and ecological resources, climate and agroclimatology, fisheries, forestry, hydrology and water resources, land cover and land use, population and socio-economic indicators, soils and soil resources, topography.

 

Geo.data.gov
Access to over 400,000 federal geospatial datasets, maps, and services. Search and link to live maps, features, and catalog services, downloadable data sets, images, clearinghouses, map files, and more.

 

Global Change Master Directory (NASA)
"The GCMD holds more than 25,000 Earth science data set and service descriptions, which cover subject areas within the Earth and environmental sciences."

 

Global Land Cover Facility (University of Maryland)

Research focusing on land cover and land cover change from local to global scales. ASTER, IKONOS, Landsat, GeoCover, MODIS, QuickBird, Orbview, and SRTM data available for download. Please note Intellectual Property Rights and Source notes/restrictions for each dataset.

 

Harmonized World Soil Database

A 30 arc-second raster database with over 16000 different soil mapping units.

• Global Terrain Slope and Aspect Data
• Land Use and Land Cover Data
• Soil Quality Data

Interuniversity Consortium for Political and Social Research (ICPSR) (University of Michigan)

"ICPSR offers more than 500,000 digital files containing social science research data. Disciplines represented include political science, sociology, demography, economics, history, gerontology, criminal justice, public health, foreign policy, terrorism, health and medical care, early education, education, racial and ethnic minorities, psychology, law, substance abuse and mental health, and more."

 

Natural Earth

Free vector and raster map data at 1:10m, 1:50m, and 1:110m scales. For each scale, themes are listed on Cultural, Physical, and Raster category pages.Most data contain embedded feature names, which are ranked by relative importance.

 

Office of Coast Survey (NOAA, National Ocean Service)
Links to GIS products and NOAA data portals, including hydrographic survey data, raster navigational charts, vector shoreline, bathymetry, U.S. Coastal Maps, geophysical data

 

Orthoimagery Resources
Free orthoimagery from NASA's World Wind wiki.

 

Unidata (UCAR, University Corporation for Atmospheric Research)
"The Unidata Program is to help researchers and educators acquire and use earth-related data." Includes Forecast Model Output, Satellite Data, Radar Data, Lightning Data, Wind Profiler Data, Aircraft-Borne (ACARS) GPS Meteo. (SuomiNet)

 

UNdata (United Nations)

Searches 34 UN databases and 60 million records.Themes include Agriculture, Crime, Education, Employment, Energy, Environment, Health, HIV/AIDS, Human Development, Industry, Information and Communication Technology, National Accounts, Population, Refugees, Tourism, Trade.

 

World Bank: Data Catalog

World Bank Data: Agriculture and Rural Development, Aid Effectiveness, Climate Change, Economic Policy and External Debt, Education, Energy and Mining, Environment, Financial Sector, Gender, Health, Infrastructure, Labor and Social Protection, Poverty, Private Sector, Public Sector, Science and Technology, Social Development, Urban Development

 

World Health Organization

WHO Data: Mortality, Health Systems, Environmental Health, Noncommunicable Diseases, Infectious Diseases, Health Equity, Road Safety, Millennium Devlopment Goals

 

ArcGIS Online Map and Task Services
Free basemaps, imagery, Bing maps, and tasks services like geocoding.

 

GeoRef
The database for research in the geosciences and the only one that you can begin to narrow down searches to just geospatial data.

Use the descriptors for GIS data as shown in the first line. Add other keywords or descriptors for place or theme, as in the examples in the second and third lines below.

 

American FactFinder
Contains U.S. population, housing, industry, and business data. Can be accessed by dataset or topic.

Neighborhood Change Database from GeoLytics
US Census data from 1970, 1980, 1990 and 2000 at the census tract level. Need to be in a UCB Library to access. Request password for each use.
       
ICPSR (Inter-University Consortium for Political and Social Research)
Data on many different topics. Most not GIS-ready.

 

LexisNexis Statistical DataSets
Data on many different topics. Most not GIS-ready.