Hydrospatial Framework for the Laurentian Great Lakes

Publication Date

2017-12-20

Start Date

1980

End Date

2010

McKenna, J.E., Jr., and Castiglione, C., 2017, Hydrospatial Framework for the Laurentian Great Lakes: U.S. Geological Survey data release, https://doi.org/10.5066/F76W99B2.

This data release provides the georeferenced boundaries for each spatial unit at each spatial scale of the Great Lakes Regional Aquatic Gap Analysis Project (GLGap) Coastal Hydrospatial Framework. The U.S. Geological Survey and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service collaborated to design a framework for data analysis, habitat classification, and mapping throughout the Great Lakes proper. Geospatial data used in the development of the framework consisted of vector and raster datasets with complete coverage for the entire Great Lakes system. A primary objective of this project was to develop an objective, standardized, multi-scale, hierarchical framework from which multiple classifications may be generated to address a multitude of problems. This framework provides the flexibility to compare biotic and abiotic information for individual classification systems by building on a common set of spatially correlated components. Objectively defined spatial units, based on environmental conditions important to aquatic organisms, encompass the entire Great Lakes area (from the shoreline to the deepest offshore waters), are available at each spatial scale of the hierarchy, and are relatable within and across spatial scale from the local cell to the entire Great Lakes Region. This framework is built upon clear, unit-defining rules that are extendable to marine coasts and other large water bodies.

ArcGIS Mapping Service

WMS Service

ScienceBase WMS

• Great Lakes Science Center (GLSC)
• National Fish Habitat Partnership