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Connecticut Erosion Sites

Frequently-asked questions:


What does this data set describe?

Title:
Connecticut Erosion Sites

Abstract:
Connecticut Erosion Sites is a site specific, point feature-based layer developed at 1:24,000-scale that includes decriptive information regarding the character of the erosion (severity, slope, geologic factors) at selected locations through out the state. The layer is based on information collected and compiled during October-December, 2005 while field testing the applicability of the Erosion Susceptilibity layer developed as part of Project #03-02 Statewide GIS Analysis and Mapping of the Geologic Conditions Contributing to Eroding Terrace Escarpments. The layer represents conditions at a particular point in time. The layer includes 83 locations and descriptive attributes (site name, severity of erosion, description, etc) as well as attributes from a spatial join with merged soils and quaternary geology layers.  Features are point locations that represent the selected study areas within the state; it is NOT a comprehensive inventory of erosion locations.  Data is compiled at 1:24,000 scale. This data is not updated.

Supplemental information:
For additional information, refer to Statewide GIS Analysis and Mapping of the Geologic Conditions Contributing to Eroding Terrace Escarpments, Project #03-02 Final Report, prepared by Mary L. DiGiacomo-Cohen, Long Island Sound Resource Center, University of Connecticut, Avery Point, Groton, CT 06340 in conjunction with North Central Conservation District, 24 Hyde Ave., Vernon, CT, 06066. Report prepared for Nonpoint Source Management Grant Program, Funded under Section 319 (h) of the Federal Clean Water Act, administered by the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection.

  1. How should this data set be cited?

    State of Connecticut, Department of Environmental Protection (data compiler, editor and publisher), 20051231, Connecticut Erosion Sites: State of Connecticut, Department of Environmental Protection, Hartford, Connecticut, USA.

    Online links:
    Other citation details:
    The State of Connecticut, Department of 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 is part of the following larger work:

    Mary DiGiacomo-Cohen, 20051231, Statewide GIS Analysis and Mapping of the Geologic Conditions Contributing to Eroding Terrace Escarpments: Long Island Sound Resource Center, Groton, Connecticut, USA.

    Other citation details:
    The erosion-sites data layer is part of a Statewide GIS Analysis and Mapping of the Geologic Conditions Contributing to Eroding Terrace Escarpments, Project #03-02 of the Nonpoint Source Management Grant Program, funded under Section 319 (h) of the Federal Clean Water Act, and administered by the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection.

  2. What geographic area does the data set cover?

    Bounding coordinates:
    West: -73.177488
    East: -71.813630
    North: 42.024793
    South: 41.285074

  3. What does it look like?

    http://www.cteco.uconn.edu/metadata/dep/browsegraphic/erosionsusceptibilitypolypointfullview.gif (GIF)
    Full view of Connecticu Erosion Sites shown with Connecticut Erosion Susceptibility in the background. These are sites where detailed descriptions of erosion conditions was used to confirm the applicability of the draft erosion susceptibility data.

    http://www.cteco.uconn.edu/metadata/dep/browsegraphic/erosionsusceptibilitypolypointdetailview.gif (GIF)
    Detailed view of Connecticu Erosion Sites shown with Connecticut Erosion Susceptibility in the background. These are sites where detailed descriptions of erosion conditions was used to confirm the applicability of the draft erosion susceptibility data.

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

    Calendar date: 20051231
    Currentness reference:
    publication date

  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?

      Indirect spatial reference:
      State of Connecticut, United States of America

      This is a Vector data set. It contains the following vector data types (SDTS terminology):
      • Entity point (83)

    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 0.000250.
      Ordinates (y-coordinates) are specified to the nearest 0.000250.
      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?

    Connecticut Erosion Sites
    Erosion sites represented as point features. (Source: State of Connecticut, Department of Environmental Protection)

    OBJECTID
    Internal feature number. (Source: ESRI)
                      

    Sequential unique whole numbers that are automatically generated.

    SHAPE
    Feature geometry. (Source: ESRI)
                      

    Coordinates defining the features.

    COMMENT
    Site identifier or casual name (Source: compiler)
                      

    text value

    EROSION_SE
    Erosion severity (Source: compiler)
                      

    text value

    DESCRIP
    brief decription of site conditions, geologic observations (Source: compiler)
                      

    text value

    TOWN
    Town Name (Source: compiler)
                      

    text value

    VISIT_DATE
    date of site visit YYYYMMDD (Source: compiler)
                      

    Coordinates defining the features.

    LOCATION
    source of location data (Source: compiler)
                      

    ValueDefinition
    topo map
    digitized point location based on topographic base map features
    GPS
    point location from Trimble Pro XR unit/software

    PHOTO1ID
    file name of first photo of this site (Source: compiler)
                      

    text value

    PHOTO2ID
    file name of second photo of this site (Source: compiler)
                      

    text value

    PHOTO3ID
    file name of third photo of this site (Source: compiler)
                      

    text value

    PHOTO4ID
    file name of fourth photo of this site (Source: compiler)
                      

    text value

    AV_LEGEND
    same as severity of erosion  (Source: compiler)
                      

    text value

    QUPOLY_CD
    Quaternary Geologic polygon code (Source: Quaternary Geologic Map of Connecticut and Long Island Sound Basin)
                      

    text value

    QUATGEOL
    Quaternary Geology (Source: Quaternary Geologic Map of Connecticut and Long Island Sound Basin)
                      

    text value

    DSPOLY_CD
    Depositional System Code (Source: Quaternary Geologic Map of Connecticut and Long Island Sound Basin)
                      

    text value

    DEPOSITION
    Depositional System (Source: Quaternary Geologic Map of Connecticut and Long Island Sound Basin)
                      

    text value

    SMPOLY_CD
    Surficial Materials Code (Source: Quaternary Geologic Map of Connecticut and Long Island Sound Basin)
                      

    text value

    SURFMAT
    Surficial Materials (Source: Quaternary Geologic Map of Connecticut and Long Island Sound Basin)
                      

    text value

    MUSYM
    The symbol used to identify the soil map unit (Source: Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS))
                      

    text value

    MUNAME
    Correlated name of the map unit (field name for surveys in progress) (Source: Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS))
                      

    text value

    MUHELCL
    The overall Highly Erodible Lands (HEL) classification for the mapunit based on the rating of its components for wind and water HEL classification (Source: Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS))
                      

    text value

    POINT_X
    x coordinate  (Source: ESRI)
                      

    numeric value

    POINT_Y
    y coordinate (Source: ESRI)
                      

    numeric value

    EROSION_CA
    Erosion category (Source: compiler)
                      

    ValueDefinition
    1
    Highly erodible soil and coarse grained erodible surficial materials
    2
    Highly erodible soil and finer grained erodible surficial materials
    3
    Erodible surficial materials
    4
    Highly erodible soil 

    Entity and attribute overview:
    Includes Erosion sites features such as general descriptions, geologic and soils conditions at selected erosion locations. Information encoded about these features includes x and y coordinates and standard cartographic symbology classification schemes. Use the AV_LEGEND attribute to symbolize features by type on a map. Use the comment to label features on a map.  Additional related attribute data tables are not included with the distributed layer, but are available upon request. 

    Entity and attribute detail citation:
    Stone, J.R., Schafer, J.P., London, E.H. and Thompson, W.B., 1992, Surficial Materials Map of Connecticut, U.S. Geological Survey special map, 2 sheets, scale 1:125,000.
    
    Stone, J.R., Schafer, J.P., London, E.H., DiGiacomo-Cohen, M.L., Lewis, R.S. and Thompson, W.B., 2005, Quaternary Geologic Map of Connecticut and Long Island Sound Basin, U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigaions Map 2784, 2 sheets, scale 1:125,000.
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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?

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

    860-424-3540 (voice)
    860-424-4058 (FAX)
    dep.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 Erosion Sites is a site specific data layer developed at 1:24,000-scale. The purpose of this layer is show locations and provide desriptions of erosion sites used to confirm the applicability of the draft erosion suscepibility map. Erosion sites were inventoried in selected areas of the state wide study area. This map should be used in conjunction with the final 1:24,000 scale Erosion Susceptibility layer and other documents developed for the Project #03-02: Statewide GIS Analysis and Mapping of the Geologic Conditions Contributing to Eroding Terrace Escarpments.  The objective of this project is to identify the geologic conditions that lead to eroding terrace escarpments throughout the state. This layer is part of an information package that can be used as a planning and management tools by state and municipal officials. 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?

    field map (source 1 of 5)

    State of Connecticut, Department of Environmental Protection, 2005, field sheets for erosion study: State of Connecticut, Department of Environmental Protection, Hartford, Connecticut.

    Other citation details:
    field sheets consist of draft erosion susceptibility map overprinted on DRG topographic quads at 1:24,000 scale

    Type of source media: paper
    Source scale denominator: 24000
    Source contribution:
    field sheets consist of draft erosion susceptibility map overprinted on DRG topographic quads at 1:24,000 scale

    gps.shp (source 2 of 5)

    State of Connecticut, Department of Environmental Protection, Unpublished Material, GPS locations : State of Connecitcut, Department of Environmental Protection, Hartford, Connecitcut, USA.

    Online links:
    Type of source media: disc
    Source scale denominator: 24000
    Source contribution:
    GPS.shp is in Shapefile format.

    eunion.shp (source 3 of 5)

    Mary DiGiacomo-Cohen, Unknown, eunion.shp: Long Island Sound Resource Center, Groton, Connecticut, USA.

    Type of source media: disc
    Source scale denominator: 24000
    Source contribution:
    union of soils and quaternary geology data layers 

    Erosion_Susceptibility_Sites.shp (source 4 of 5)

    State of Connecticut, Department of Environmental Protection (data compiler, editor and publisher), 20051231, Connecticut Erosion Sites: State of Connecticut, Department of Environmental Protection, Hartford, Connecticut, USA.

    Online links:
    Type of source media: disc
    Source scale denominator: 24000
    Source contribution:
    Erosion_Susceptibility_Sites.shp is in Shapefile format.

    Erosion_Susceptibility_Sites (source 5 of 5)

    State of Connecticut, Department of Environmental Protection (data compiler, editor and publisher), 20051231, Connecticut Erosion Sites: State of Connecticut, Department of Environmental Protection, Hartford, Connecticut, USA.

    Online links:
    Type of source media: disc
    Source scale denominator: 24000
    Source contribution:
    Erosion_Susceptibility_Sites is in GeoDatabase Feature Class format.

  2. What changes have been made?

    Date: 2005 (change 1 of 4)
    Feature digitizing and attribution (heads up digitizing method) - Using ESRI ArcView 3 software, features appearing on the source map were manually digitized on the screen (heads-up digitizing) at display scales greater than 1:24,000 using USGS 7.5 minute topographic quadrangle maps displayed in the background for reference. Individual features were digitized based on topographic base information. Features were assigned attribute values based on information shown on the field maps. Feature location and attribute accuracy was visually checked and inspected by symbolizing and labeling features according to attribute value on the computer screen and comparing this information to the orginal source data.

    Person responsible for change:
    Mary DiGiacomo-Cohen
    Long Island Sound Resource Center
    UConn Avery Point
    1080 Shennecossett Rd
    Groton, CT 06340
    USA

    860 405-9015 (voice)
    lisrc@uconn.edu

    Data sources used in this process:
    • field map

    Data sources produced in this process:
    • Erosion_Susceptibility_Sites.shp

    Date: 2005 (change 2 of 4)
    Erosion locations were captured with a Trimble Pro XR backpack GPS unit. The unit's filters were set to capture points with a PDOP of < 10.0 and a S/N (signal to noise ration) of greater > 1.0. The data was post processed against a base station and then exported into ArcView shape files using the Connecticut State Plane NAD 83 coordinate system. Features were copied to erosionsites.shp and assigned attribute values based on information shown on the field maps and field logs. Feature location and attribute accuracy was visually checked and inspected by symbolizing and labeling features according to attribute value on the computer screen and comparing this information to the orginal source data.

    Person responsible for change:
    Thomas Nosal
    State of Connecticut, Department of Environmental Protection
    79 Elm St
    Hartford, CT 06106-5127
    USA

    (860) 424-3590 (voice)

    Data sources used in this process:
    • gps.shp

    Data sources produced in this process:
    • Erosion_Susceptibility_Sites.shp

    Date: 2005 (change 3 of 4)
    Attribute enhancements - a spatial join was used to add attributes from a data layer respresenting the union of soils and quaternary geology (which was dissolved to create Erosion Susceptibilty layer).  Additionally the AV_LEGEND attribute was added to establish a very general classification scheme for symbolizing  features.

    Person responsible for change:
    Mary DiGiacomo-Cohen
    Long Island Sound Resource Center
    UConn Avery Point
    1080 Shennecossett Rd
    Groton, CT 06340
    USA

    860 405-9015 (voice)
    lisrc@uconn.edu

    Data sources used in this process:
    • eunion.shp

    Data sources produced in this process:
    • Erosion_Susceptibility_Sites.shp

    Date: 20061108 (change 4 of 4)
    Convert to GeoDatabase Feature Class format - Defined new Feature Class named Erosion_Susceptibility_Sites; and imported the attribute definitions, loaded features and imported metadata from Erosion_Susceptibility_Sites.shp shapefile. 
    
    Spatial Reference Properties for Feature Class:
    
    Coordinate System: NAD_1983_StatePlane_Connecticut_FIPS_0600_Feet
    XY Domain MinX: 100000; MaxX: 2247483.645
    XY Domain MinY: 200000; MaxY: 2347483.645
    Precision: 1000

    Person responsible for change:
    Howie Sternberg
    State of Connecticut, Department of Environmental Protection
    79 Elm Street
    Hartford, Connecticut 06106
    USA

    860-424-3540 (voice)

    Data sources used in this process:
    • Erosion_Susceptibility_Sites.shp

    Data sources produced in this process:
    • Erosion_Susceptibility_Sites

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

  1. How well have the observations been checked?

    The erosionsites layer retains the feature types and information identified by the State of Connecticut, Department of Environmental Protection and obtained from the data compiler. All attributes have valid values. Values are within defined domains. The accuracy test for the attribute values was conducted by comparing the information presented in the source data with 1:24,000-scale field sheets and interactive displays of the data on a computer graphic system. These check plot maps and computer displays depicted and labeled the erosionsites features in different colors based on values for comparison with the original data source.  AV_LEGEND and IMS_LEGEND are broad classifications of erosionsites features.  AV_LEGEND, and IMS_LEGEND were not manually entered. These additional fields were populated by calculating values equal to existing fields.  Erosionsites features were manually selected and populated with descriptive attributes values to (uniquely) identify and describe individual features. Attributes respresenting geologic and soils conditions for each sites, and erosion category were populated by spatial join. 

  2. How accurate are the geographic locations?

    The horizontal positional accuracy of this data complies with the United States National Map Accuracy Standards for 1:24,000 scale maps. According to this standard, not more than 10 percent of the locations tested are to be in error by more than 1/50 inch (40 feet) measured on the publication scale of a USGS 7.5 minute topographic quadrangle map. Some feature locations were interpolated from the transporation features, surface water features, elevation contours, buildings, and built-up areas depicted on USGS 7.5 minute topographic quadrangle maps. Other feature locations were derived from GPS coordinates; their horizontal precision exceeds the map standard.Typically, the Trimble Pro XR collects data with the PDOP set to 6.0 and the S/N set to 10.0 the standard error of the collected data is less than 1 meter, so the 95% confidence is on the order of 2 meters.
    
    Point features represent approximate positions for linear or large area objects or observations that are transient, variable or temporal in nature. 
     
    Some features are accurately positioned because GPS-based coordinates were collected at the actual location of the site in the field, and other features are less accurately positioned because the site represents a large area which was interpolated from topographic quadrangle maps.

  3. How accurate are the heights or depths?

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

    The completeness of the data reflects the feature content of the data sources, which include the FIELD DATA SHEETS for the project. The erosionsites layer is complete in the sense that it accurately reflects the contents of the Erosion sites field information available at the time the State of Connecticut, Department of Environmental Protection created the layer. However, compared to current conditions, the erosionsites layer is incomplete. This data is not updated.

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

    Point features conform to the following topological rules. Points are single part. There are no duplicate points. Points do not overlap. Establishment of logical consistency was performed by the State of Connecticut, Department of Environmental Protection using ESRI ArcGIS software to manually create and control feature topology in shapefile format. No automated procedures or tests were performed to guarantee desired topology other than visual inspection.

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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. The data is in the public domain and may be redistributed.
Use constraints:
No restrictions or legal prerequisites for using the data. 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 Environmental Protection, no warranty, expressed or implied, is made by the State of Connecticut, Department of 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 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 Environmental Protection as the source for this information. For example, include the following data source description when printing this layer on a map: Erosion_severity from the Erosion_sites layer, compiled and published by CT DEP. Source map scale is 1:24,000.

Distributor 1 of 1

  1. Who distributes the data set?

    State of Connecticut, Department of Enviromental Protection
    79 Elm Street
    Hartford, Connecticut 06106-5127
    USA

    860-424-3540 (voice)
    860-424-4058 (FAX)
    dep.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 Erosion Sites

  3. What legal disclaimers am I supposed to read?

    Although this data set  has been used by the State of Connecticut, Department of Environmental Protection, no warranty, expressed or implied, is made by the State of Connecticut, Department of 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 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: 20111208

Metadata author:
Mary L. DiGiacomo-Cohen
Long Island Sound Resource Center, a partnership between the State of Connecticut, Department of Environmental Protection and the University of Connecticut
Long Island Sound Resource Center, UConn Avery Point, 1080 Shennecossett Rd.
Groton, CT 06340
USA

(860) 405-9015 (voice)
lisrc@uconn.edu

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

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

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