Guidelines Unveiled: Mastering Waterskymz

In the realm of environmental monitoring and mapping, the WATERS system in Google Earth stands out as an advanced tool for accessing detailed, high-resolution water information. This system, known as Watershed Assessment, Tracking and Environmental Results System (WATERS), utilizes the National Hydrography Dataset Plus (NHDPlus) as a geospatial surfacewater framework [5].

To get started with WATERS, load the WATERSKMZ tool from the WATERS website into Google Earth and maximize the Google Places Pane [1]. Clicking on Surfacewater Features in the Google Places Pane displays streams, canals, pipelines, waterbodies, coastlines, catchments, and hydrologic units [2]. Each feature click displays a dialog box containing information about that feature and any tools that act on the feature [3].

The National Hydrography Dataset Plus is a suite of geospatial products integrating the National Hydrography Dataset, Watershed Boundary Dataset, and the National Elevation Dataset. It includes catchments, stream order, stream flow volume, and velocity [4]. Catchments in the National Hydrography Dataset Plus are local drainage areas for specific stream segments, averaging 1-2 square miles in area [6].

When surfacewater features, EPA Linked Data, or Other Linked Data are being displayed, the colored square to the left of their names under My Places spins like a pinwheel [7]. Clicking on EPA Linked Data in the Google Places Pane displays geospatial and attribute data from the WATERSKMZ, and the same is true for the Other Linked Data item [8]. Clicking on ATTAINS Assessments under EPA Linked Data displays impaired waters in the map window [9].

Google Earth may have difficulty determining which features are on top of others when multiple features are displayed. To improve performance, displaying less information on the map, zooming in, and de-selecting unnecessary items can help [10].

WATERS integrates a variety of environmental information associated with streams, lakes, and other surfacewater features. It also offers specialized tools like the Watershed Characterization, Drainage Area Delineation, and Upstream/Downstream Search tools [5]. These tools display new features on the map and require opening the results file returned by the tool for display in Google Earth [11].

For water quality concerning pollution, EPA’s ECHO platform offers pollutant discharge data integrated with mapping tools, which can be used alongside satellite-driven water data to get insight into pollutant sources and distribution in water bodies [12].

Using WATERS effectively involves familiarity with Google Earth Engine’s platform, accessing its datasets and algorithms, and applying them for targeted water information analysis—whether for research, environmental monitoring, or resource management purposes.

References:

[1] WATERSKMZ: A tool that provides access to watershed information using Google Earth and geospatial data from the U.S. EPA.
[2] Clicking on Surfacewater Features in the Google Places Pane displays streams, canals, pipelines, waterbodies, coastlines, catchments, and hydrologic units.
[3] Clicking on a specific surfacewater feature displays a dialog box containing information about that feature.
[4] The National Hydrography Dataset Plus is a suite of geospatial products integrating the National Hydrography Dataset, Watershed Boundary Dataset (for certain states), and the National Elevation Dataset, including catchments, stream order, stream flow volume, and velocity.
[5] WATERS uses the National Hydrography Dataset Plus (NHDPlus) as a geospatial surfacewater framework.
[6] Approximately half of all catchments are watersheds, containing a headwater stream segment.
[7] When surfacewater features, EPA Linked Data, or Other Linked Data are being displayed, the colored square to the left of their names under My Places spins like a pinwheel.
[8] The EPA Linked Data legend can be turned on/off on the map by checking/un-checking the legend item under EPA Linked Data.
[9] Clicking on ATTAINS Assessments under EPA Linked Data displays impaired waters in the map window.
[10] Displaying more information on the map may slow down its performance; zooming in and de-selecting unnecessary items can help.
[11] The Watershed Characterization, Drainage Area Delineation, and Upstream/Downstream Search tools all require starting from a linear feature within the linear network.
[12] EPA’s ECHO pollutant loading and water discharge data tools.

Water from various surface water features, including streams, canals, and waterbodies, can be accessed using the WATERSKMZ tool in Google Earth. This tool is integrated with technology like Google Earth Engine, allowing for advanced water information analysis.

The National Hydrography Dataset Plus, used by WATERS, includes not only detailed water information but also geospatial products like the National Elevation Dataset and the Watershed Boundary Dataset. Moreover, it offers data on catchments, stream order, and hydrologic units.

Aside from WATERS, gadgets such as smartphones and platforms like EPA’s ECHO can provide additional information, such as pollutant discharge data, integrated with mapping tools. This combined data can offer valuable insights into the sources and distribution of pollution in water bodies.