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CT 305B ASSESSED ESTUARY 2014

Frequently-asked questions:


What does this data set describe?

Title:
CT 305B ASSESSED ESTUARY 2014

Abstract:
Connecticut 305b Assessed Estuary 2014 is a 1:24,000-scale, polygon feature-based layer that includes estuaries that have been assessed in compliance with Sections 305(b) and 303(d) of the federal Clean Water Act.  Section 305(b) of the Clean Water Act requires each state to monitor, assess and report on the quality of its waters relative to attainment of designated uses established by the State's water quality standards.  Section 303(d) requires each State to compile a subset of that list identifying only those waters not meeting water quality standards and assign a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) priority ranking to each impaired waterbody.  

This layer is based on information collected and compiled prior to 2014.  It represents conditions at a particular point in time and does not represent current conditions.  This layer includes only assessed estuaries.  It can be used with the 2014 Connecticut 305b Assessed Lakes layer and the 2014 Connecticut 305b Assessed Rivers layer to geographically display attainment and non-attainment for each designated use on assessed waters within Connecticut's boundaries.  

Features are polygon locations that represent the locations of  assessed estuaries.   The sources for these features include the hydrography layer and the water quality classification layer.  Attribute information is comprised of a unique identifier (segment Id) for each feature, a description of the waterbody, its location, the assessment cycle (year), the water type, the Long Island Sound basin and zone, whether the feature is an island or a beach, the water quality class, the size in square miles, and the assessment for the following categories:  marine aquatic life, recreation, fish consumption, and shellfish.    Data is compiled at 1:24,000 scale. This dataset is not updated.

Supplemental information:
For additional information, refer to the Water Quality Standards for the State of Connecticut at http://www.ct.gov/dep/lib/dep/water/water_quality_standards/wqs.pdf.

  1. How should this data set be cited?

    State of Connecticut, Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (data compiler, editor and publisher), 2014, CT 305B ASSESSED ESTUARY 2014: State of Connecticut, Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, Hartford, Connecticut, USA.

    Online links:
    Other citation details:
    The State of Connecticut, Department of Energy and Environmental Protection is the collector of the data (compiler), the creator and maintainer of the data layer (editor), and producer (publisher) of this information for use. Data compiled at 1:24,000 scale. This layer includes information that is applicable to a set time period (2012) and is not updated or changed in any way.

  2. What geographic area does the data set cover?

    Bounding coordinates:
    West: -73.667695
    East: -71.825948
    North: 41.541261
    South: 40.950466

  3. What does it look like?

    http://www.cteco.uconn.edu/metadata/dep/browsegraphic/assessedestuary2014fullview.gif (GIF)
    Full view of Connecticut 305b Assessed Estuary 2014

    http://www.cteco.uconn.edu/metadata/dep/browsegraphic/assessedestuary2014detailview.gif (GIF)
    Detail view of Connecticut 305b Assessed Estuary 2014 showing assessed estuary areas.

    http://www.cteco.uconn.edu/metadata/dep/browsegraphic/assessedwaterbody2014fullview.gif (GIF)
    Full View map of Connecticut 305b Assessed Waterbodies for 2014 that includes assessed river, lake and estuary feature classes.

    http://www.cteco.uconn.edu/metadata/dep/browsegraphic/assessedwaterbody2014detailview.gif (GIF)
    Detail view map of Connecticut 305b Assessed Waterbodies for 2014 that includes assessed river, lake and estuary feature classes.

  4. Does the data set describe conditions during a particular time period?

    Calendar date: prior to 2014
    Currentness reference:
    ground condition

  5. What is the general form of this data set?

    Geospatial data presentation form: vector digital data

  6. How does the data set represent geographic features?

    1. How are geographic features stored in the data set?

      This is a Vector data set. It contains the following vector data types (SDTS terminology):
      • G-polygon (211)

    2. What coordinate system is used to represent geographic features?

      The map projection used is Lambert Conformal Conic.

      Projection parameters:
      Lambert Conformal Conic
      Standard parallel: 41.200000
      Standard parallel: 41.866667
      Longitude of central meridian: -72.750000
      Latitude of projection origin: 40.833333
      False easting: 999999.999996
      False northing: 499999.999998

      Planar coordinates are encoded using coordinate pair.
      Abscissae (x-coordinates) are specified to the nearest 0.000000.
      Ordinates (y-coordinates) are specified to the nearest 0.000000.
      Planar coordinates are specified in survey feet.

      The horizontal datum used is North American Datum of 1983.
      The ellipsoid used is Geodetic Reference System 80.
      The semi-major axis of the ellipsoid used is 6378137.000000.
      The flattening of the ellipsoid used is 1/298.257222.

      Vertical coordinate system definition:
      Altitude system definition:
      Altitude resolution: 1.000000
      Altitude encoding method: Explicit elevation coordinate included with horizontal coordinates

  7. How does the data set describe geographic features?

    CT305B ASSESSED ESTUARY 2014
    Connecticut 305b Assessed Estuaries represented as polygon features. (Source: State of Connecticut, Department of Energy and Environmental Protection)

    OBJECTID
    Internal feature number. (Source: ESRI)
                      

    Sequential unique whole numbers that are automatically generated.

    ID305B
    Assigned unique identification. (Source: Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection)
                      

    Unique identification string.

    MILES_SQUARE
    Size of feature in square miles. (Source: Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection)
                      

    Calculated numbers.

    LIS_BASIN
    The name of the Long Island Sound (LIS) basin in which the feature is located. (Source: Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection)
                      

    Value Definition
    Eastern
    Feature is located in the Eastern basin in Long Island Sound.
    Western
    Feature is located in the Western basin in Long Island Sound.
    Central
    Feature is located in the Central basin in Long Island Sound.

    LIS_ZONE
    The type of Long Island zone in which the feature is located. (Source: Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection)
                      

    Value Definition
    Inner Estuary
    Feature is located in the Inner Estuary zone of Long Island Sound.
    Midshore
    Feature is located in the Midshore zone of Long Island Sound.
    Offshore
    Feature is located in the Offshore zone of Long Island Sound.
    Shore
    Feature is located in the Shore zone of Long Island Sound.

    ISLAND
     (Source: Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection)
                      

    BEACH
     (Source: Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection)
                      

    WATER_QUALITY_CLASSIFICATION__8
    Water Quality Class (Source: Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection)
                      

    WATER_NAME
    Name of water body. (Source: Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection)
                      

    CYCLE
    Reporting year. (Source: Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection)
                      

    Value Definition
    2012
    Reporting date.

    LOCATION
    Detailed description of feature location. (Source: Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection)
                      

    Detailed textual description of location of feature.

    RECREATION
    Assessment of feature in terms of recreation use. (Source: Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection)
                      

    Value Definition
    Fully Supporting
    Recreation use is fully supported for this feature.
    Not Assessed
    Recreation use is not assessed for this feature.
    Not Supporting
    Recreation use is not supported for this feature.

    FISH_CONSUMPTION
    Assessment of feature in terms of fish consumption. (Source: Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection)
                      

    Value Definition
    Fully Supporting
    Fish consumption use is fully supported for this feature.
    Not Supporting
    Fish consumption is not supported for this feature.

    SHELLFISH
    Assessment of feature in terms of shellfish harvesting. (Source: Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection)
                      

    Value Definition
    Fully Supporting Commercial Harvesting where Authorized
    Commercial harvesting use is fully supported for this feature.
    Fully Supporting Harvesting for Direct Consumption
    Harvesting for direct consumption of shellfish is a fully supported use of this feature.
    Not Assessed Commercial Harvesting where Authorized
    This feature is not assessed for commercial harvesting.
    Not Evaluated, Natural Conditions Not Viable For Shellfish
    This feature is not viable for the existence of shellfish.
    Not Supported Commercial Harvesting where Authorized
    Commercial harvesting use is not supported for this feature.
    Not Supporting Harvesting for Direct Consumption
    Harvesting for direct consumption of shellfish is not a supported use of this feature.

    CLASS_ID
     (Source: Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection)
                      

    CLASS_NAME
     (Source: Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection)
                      

    AQUATIC_LIFE
    Assessment of aquatic life use (Source: Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection)
                      

    SHELLFISH_CLASS
     (Source: Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection)
                      

    USE_COUNT
     (Source: Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection)
                      

    SHAPE
    Feature geometry. (Source: ESRI)
                      

    Coordinates defining the features.

    SHAPE.area
    SHAPE.len
    Entity and attribute overview:
    Includes assessed estuary features to include size of feature in acres and square miles, the reporting year (assessment year), unique identification, name and location of feature, water quality class goal, type of waterbody, Long Island Sound basin name and zone, whether or not the feature is an island or beach, and categories assessed:  marine aquatic life viability, recreation, fish consumption, and shellfish harvesting.  Use the ID305B field to uniquely identify features.  The Name attribute decodes ID305B.  Use either the Name attribute or the ID305B attribute to label features on a map. To define a layer that only includes a certain assessment of a feature type, query the features for a specific attribute (e.g. Recreation) equal to a specific value (e.g. Not Supporting).  This will display only those features where the Recreation use is Not Supporting.
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Who produced the data set?

  1. Who are the originators of the data set? (may include formal authors, digital compilers, and editors)


  2. Who also contributed to the data set?

  3. To whom should users address questions about the data?

    Walter Tokarz
    State of Connecticut, Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
    79 Elm Street
    Hartford, Connecticut 06106-5127
    USA

    860-424-3020 (voice)
    deep.gisdata@ct.gov
    Hours of Service: Monday to Friday, 08:30 to 16:30 Eastern Standard Time
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Why was the data set created?

Connecticut 305(b) Assessed Estuary 2012 is 1:24,000-scale data. It depicts the location of assessed estuaries along Long Island Sound, including all Connecticut coastal river estuaries to the extent of salt water influence.  Use this layer to show estuary locations and their accompanying use assessment . This layer should be used with the other assessed waterbody layers:  Assessed Rivers and Assessed Lakes.  To gain a historical perspective, use this layer with the 2006, 2008 and 2010 Assessed Waters layers.  

This layer should only be viewed with other 1:24,000-scale map data such as water quality classifications, roads, towns, topographic quadrangles, and digital orthophotos.  Not intended for maps printed at map scales greater or more detailed than 1:24,000 scale (1 inch = 2,000 feet.)

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How was the data set created?

  1. Where did the data come from?

    Source 1 - National Hydrography Dataset (source 1 of 2)

    United States Geological Survey (USGS), Unknown, National Hydrography Dataset: United States Geological Survey, .

    Type of source media: online
    Source scale denominator: 24000
    Source contribution:
    Some hydrographic features were copied from this dataset.

    Source 2 - Water Quality Classifications (source 2 of 2)

    State of Connecticut, Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (data compiler, editor and publisher), Unknown, Water Quality Classifications: State of Connecticut, Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, Hartford, Connecticut, USA.

    Online links:
    Type of source media: disc
    Source scale denominator: 24000
    Source contribution:
    Some feature attribute information originated from the water quality classification feature class created by the Department of Environmental Protection.

  2. What changes have been made?

    Metadata imported.

    Data sources used in this process:
    • \\tsclient\Y\Workspaces\GIS_Projects\Data\2012_305b_assessed_waters\depgis_DEP_CT305b_ASSESSED_Estuary_2012.xml

    Metadata imported.

    Data sources used in this process:
    • \\tsclient\Y\GIS_Warehouse\Public_Data\Metadata\Document\ct305b_assessed_estuary_2012.xml

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How reliable are the data; what problems remain in the data set?

  1. How well have the observations been checked?

  2. How accurate are the geographic locations?

  3. How accurate are the heights or depths?

  4. Where are the gaps in the data? What is missing?

  5. How consistent are the relationships among the observations, including topology?

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How can someone get a copy of the data set?

Are there legal restrictions on access or use of the data?

Access constraints: None. No restrictions or legal prerequisites for accessing the data. The data is in the public domain and may be redistributed.
Use constraints:
None. No restrictions or legal prerequisites for using the data after access is granted. The data is suitable for use at appropriate scale, and is not intended for maps printed at scales greater or more detailed than 1:24,000 scale (1 inch = 2,000 feet). Although this data set  has been used by the State of Connecticut, Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, no warranty, expressed or implied, is made by the State of Connecticut, Department of Energy and Environmental Protection as to the accuracy of the data and or related materials.  The act of distribution shall not constitute any such warranty, and no responsibility is assumed by the State of Connecticut, Department of Energy and Environmental Protection in the use of these data or related materials. The user assumes the entire risk related to the use of these data. Once the data is distributed to the user, modifications made to the data by the user should be noted in the metadata. When printing this data on a map or using it in a software application, analysis, or report, please acknowledge the State of Connecticut, Department of Energy and Environmental Protection as the source for this information. For example, include the following data source description when printing this layer on a map: Estuarine Assessment - From the Connecticut 305b Assessed Estuary 2014 layer, compiled and published by CT DEEP.  Source map scale is 1:24,000.  

This data is accurate in the time period specified for data collection dates.  Refer to the "2012 State of Connecticut Integrated Water Quality Report" at 
http://www.ct.gov/dep/lib/dep/water/water_quality_management/305b/2012_iwqr_final.pdf for more information about collection dates.

Distributor 1 of 1

  1. Who distributes the data set?

    State of Connecticut, Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
    79 Elm Street
    Hartford, Connecticut 06106-5127
    USA

    860-424-3540 (voice)
    860-424-4058 (FAX)
    deep.gisdata@ct.gov
    Hours of Service: Monday to Friday, 08:30 to 16:30 Eastern Standard Time

  2. What's the catalog number I need to order this data set?

    Connecticut 305B Assessed Estuary 2014

  3. What legal disclaimers am I supposed to read?

    Although this data set  has been used by the State of Connecticut, Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, no warranty, expressed or implied, is made by the State of Connecticut, Department of Energy and Environmental Protection as to the accuracy of the data and or related materials.  The act of distribution shall not constitute any such warranty, and no responsibility is assumed by the State of Connecticut, Department of Energy and Environmental Protection in the use of these data or related materials. The user assumes the entire risk related to the use of these data. Once the data is distributed to the user, modifications made to the data by the user should be noted in the metadata.

  4. How can I download or order the data?

    • Availability in digital form:


    • Data format:
      in format Shapefile, Feature Class (version ArcGIS)
      Network links: http://www.ct.gov/deep

    • Cost to order the data: An online copy of the data may be accessed without charge.


  5. Is there some other way to get the data?

    The data distributor does not provide custom GIS analysis or mapping services. Data is available in a standard format and may be converted to other formats, projections, coordinate systems, or selected for specific geographic regions by the party receiving the data.

  6. What hardware or software do I need in order to use the data set?

    Geographic information sytem (GIS), computer-aided drawing or other mapping software is necessary to display, view and access the information.

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Who wrote the metadata?

Dates:
Last modified: 20150423

Metadata author:
Walter Tokarz
State of Connecticut, Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
79 Elm Street
Hartford, Connecticut 06106-5127
USA

860-424-3020 (voice)
deep.gisdata@ct.gov
Hours of Service: Monday to Friday, 08:30 to 16:30 Eastern Standard Time

Metadata standard:
FGDC Content Standards for Digital Geospatial Metadata(FGDC-STD-001-1998)

Metadata extensions used:
  • http://www.esri.com/metadata/esriprof80.html
  • http://www.esri.com/metadata/esriprof80.html
  • http://www.esri.com/metadata/esriprof80.html

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