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Frequently
Asked Questions
- How
can I view National Wetlands Inventory (NWI) maps?
- How
do I find available NWI digital map data?
- How
can I purchase paper maps and NWI data in other formats?
- How
can I find out what an NWI map code means?
- Where
can I find metadata for NWI quads?
- How
do I cite NWI digital data or hard-copy maps in publications?
- How
far do I have to zoom in to be able to see the wetlands polygons on
the Wetlands Mapper?
- How large an area of wetlands data can I download from the Wetlands Mapper? What do I do if I want data for a larger area?
- How recent are the maps?
- When
will the maps be updated?
- Whom do I contact when I have a question?
1. How can I view National Wetlands Inventory (NWI) maps?
Visit our wetlands mapper page. The mapper hosts the most current digital data and metadata available.
2. How do I know what NWI GIS data is available for an area?
Visit our wetlands mapper page. The mapper hosts the most current digital data and metadata available.
Or to download by quad, NWI digital map data are organized in folders by USGS 1:250,000 map name. To determine which name and corresponding folder you may need, on the downloads page click on the searchable file, "View and Query NWI digitized data in NAD27." (If there is an asterisk before the abbreviated quad name, also check "View and Query List of Updated NWI digitized data in NAD83.") In each list, using the browser's toolbar Edit, "Find (on This Page)" feature, enter the map name you are seeking. The first column indicates the 1:250,000 name, plus the quarter quadrant identifier (NE, NW, SE, SW) used for organizing maps. If the digital map data is not located on either list, there are no digital data available. For further assistance, click on Contact Us at the bottom of the page.
3. How can I purchase paper maps and NWI data in other media?
Our paper maps can be purchased through a Cooperator-Run Distribution Center in most States. Each Center establishes its own pricing structure and ordering procedures. The Distribution Centers offer paper composites (NWI wetland polygons on USGS topographic base) of the NWI maps.
Commercial vendors also offer NWI data in other media such as CD's and in .pdf format. Visit our wetlands data page for those companies which have requested to be listed.
4. How can I find out what an NWI map code means?
Visit the NWI Map Codes Query Form and type in the case-sensitive code. For example, if you're wondering what a PUBHh is, just type it into the NWI Map Codes Query Form, it will give you an explanation. (It's a Palustrine, Unconsolidated Bottom, Permanently Flooded, Diked/Impounded wetland.) You can also determine the codes by using the NWI Map Code Legend diagram that lays out the classification system by system, subsystem, class, subclass, plus modifiers (2 pages in PDF format). The NWI wetland codes, as modified, are based on the National Wetlands Classification Standards from Cowardin, L.M., V. Carter, F. Golet, and E. LaRoe. 1979. Classification of Wetlands and Deepwater Habitats of the United States. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Cowardin).
5. Where can I find metadata for NWI digital data?
Visit our wetlands mapper page. The mapper hosts the most current digital data and metadata available.
6. How do I cite NWI digital data or hard-copy maps in publications?
For NWI digital data downloaded from our website: U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service. publication date. National Wetlands Inventory website. U.S. Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service, St. Petersburg, FL. http://www.nwi.fws.gov.
For NWI hard-copy maps: U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service. publication date. National Wetlands Inventory map: Map name, State (scale 1:XX,XXX). U.S. Department of the Interior, Washington, D.C.
7. How far do I have to zoom in to be able to see the wetlands polygons?
You have to zoom in to a small area. Wetlands display at a scale of 1:300,000 or larger.
8.
How large an area of wetlands data can I download from the Wetlands
Mapper?
What do I do if I want data for a larger area?
You can download data from the Mapper for an area once the wetland polygons are visible, about the size of a quad (approximate 35,200 acres). For data for larger areas, please contact the Regional Wetlands Coordinator for your area by visiting: http://wetlands.fws.gov/Regionofc/Rwc.htm
Most NWI maps were produced using photography from the 1980's. Maps for less than 5% of the nation were made using 1990's or more recent photography. Visit our Era of Digital Data by Decade, Regional Maps to see the era of our maps. View the metadata to see the year of the photography for specific map quads.
10. When will the maps be updated?
We are currently updating about 1% of the maps of the U.S. on average each year, with only a few of the highest priority maps being updated. Agencies and organizations interested in becoming partners to fund or contribute maps in your area should contact the appropriate Regional Wetlands Coordinator. Visit our Era of Digital Data by Decade, Regional Maps to see the era of our maps.
11. Whom do I contact when I have a question?
For general questions about wetland maps: wetlands@fws.gov
For help with or comments on the Wetlands Mapper: gs-w_Wetlands_Mapper@usgs.gov
For watershed- or state-level data contact the Regional Wetlands Coordinator: http://wetlands.fws.gov/Regionofc/Rwc.htm
For information about partnering/cooperating with the Service to develop or update wetland maps contact the Regional Wetlands Coordinator for your area: http://wetlands.fws.gov/Regionofc/Rwc.htm
For wetland plants: andrew_cruz@fws.gov
For questions, input or comments about updating the National Plant List: bill_wilen@fws.gov
For wetland GIS support: andrew_paul@fws.gov
For national wetlands status and trends: tom_dahl@fws.gov
For comments about the website: wetlands@fws.gov or jo_ann_mills@fws.gov
For regional mapping issues or information: http://wetlands.fws.gov/Regionofc/Rwc.htm
About mailing addresses and phone numbers, consult office directory: http://wetlands.fws.gov/ofcdirectory.htm
About other Service wetlands programs: http://www.fws.gov/duspit/contactus.htm
About general wetlands information, visit: http://www.epa.gov/owow/wetlands/
About wetland regulations that may affect wetlands on your property or other wetlands that may be developed, contact the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers office nearest you: http://www.usace.army.mil/inet/functions/cw/contact.htm