Draft 1:100,000-Scale Digital Soils Map of Sheridan County

Frequently-anticipated questions:

• What does this data set describe?
  1. How should this data set be cited?
  2. What geographic area does the data set cover?
  3. What does it look like?
  4. Does the data set describe conditions during a particular time period?
  5. What is the general form of this data set?
  6. How does the data set represent geographic features?
  7. How does the data set describe geographic features?
• Who produced the data set?
  1. Who are the originators of the data set?
  2. Who also contributed to the data set?
  3. To whom should users address questions about the data?
• Why was the data set created?
• How was the data set created?
  1. From what previous works were the data drawn?
  2. How were the data generated, processed, and modified?
  3. What similar or related data should the user be aware of?
• 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 data, including topology?
• How can someone get a copy of the data set?
  1. Are there legal restrictions on access or use of the data?
  2. Who distributes the data?
  3. What's the catalog number I need to order this data set?
  4. What legal disclaimers am I supposed to read?
  5. How can I download or order the data?
• Who wrote the metadata?

Title: Draft 1:100,000-Scale Digital Soils Map of Sheridan County

Abstract:

This dataset represents soils of Wyoming at 1:100,000- scale. The layer contains 350 separate soils descriptions across 23 Wyoming counties. The layer was compiled based on the five-factor soil forming model using digital surficial geology, bedrock geology, and elevation.

This dataset will be more fully documented in 23 AES publications scheduled for completion in winter of 99/00. These publications will use the designation AES Bulletin B-1071 followed by a two letter abreviation for each county.

1. How should this data set be cited?

   Larry C. Munn and Christopher S. Arneson, 1999, Draft 1:100,000-Scale Digital Soils Map of Sheridan County: University of Wyoming Agricultural Experiment Station, Laramie, Wyoming.

   Online Links:

   • <URL:http://www.sdvc.uwyo.edu/100k/soil100.html>

2. What geographic area does the data set cover?

   West_Bounding_Coordinate: -111.26477012

   East_Bounding_Coordinate: -103.83670034

   North_Bounding_Coordinate: 44.99903411

   South_Bounding_Coordinate: 40.94837176

3. What does it look like?

   <URL:http://www.sdvc.uwyo.edu/images/soils100.gif> (gif)

   soils

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

   Calendar_Date: 1999

   Currentness_Reference: publication date

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

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):

      • GT-polygon composed of chains (15685)

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

      Horizontal positions are specified in geographic coordinates, that is, latitude and longitude. Latitudes are given to the nearest .001. Longitudes are given to the nearest .001. Latitude and longitude values are specified in Decimal Degrees.

      The horizontal datum used is North American Datum of 1983.
      The ellipsoid used is GRS1980.
      The semi-major axis of the ellipsoid used is 6378206.4.
      The flattening of the ellipsoid used is 1/294.98.
      

7. How does the data set describe geographic features?

   Entity_and_Attribute_Overview:

   SH01 Ustic Haplargids, fine-loamy, mixed, frigid

   SH02 Ustic Torrifluvents, fine-loamy, mixed, frigid- Ustic Torrifluvents, coarse-loamy, mixed, frigid

   SH03 Ustic Paleargids, fine, smectitic, frigid- Ustic Haplargids, fine, smectitic, frigid- Ustic Haplargids, fine-loamy, mixed, frigid

   SH04 Ustic Torriorthents, clayey, smectitic, frigid- Ustic Torriorthents, loamy, mixed (calc), frigid, shallow- Rockland

   SH05 Shale Outcrop- Lithic Ustic Torriorthents, loamy, mixed, frigid, non acid

   SH06 Ustic Torriorthents, clayey, smectitic (calc), frigid, shallow and Ustic Torriorthents, fine, smectitic (calc), frigid- Shale Outcrop

   SH07 Ustic Torriorthents, loamy, mixed (calc), frigid, shallow- Ustic Haplargids, fine-loamy, mixed, frigid

   SH08 Ustic Torrifluvents, fine-loamy and coarse-loamy, mixed (calc), frigid

   SH09 Torriorthentic Haplustolls, fine-loamy, mixed, frigid

   SH10 Ustic Torriorthents, loamy-skeletal, mixed (calc), frigid, shallow - Aridic Argiustolls, fine-loamy, mixed, frigid - Ustic Paleargids, fine, smectitic, frigid

   SH11 Ustic Torriorthents, loamy-skeletal and loamy; mixed (calc), frigid, shallow

   SH12: Typic Dystrocryepts, loamy-skeletal, mixed-Typic Haplocryalfs, loamy-skeletal, mixed- Histic Cryaquepts, fine-loamy over sandy or sandy-skeletal, mixed.

   SH13: Fluventic Haplocryolls, fine-loamy, mixed- Histic Cryaquepts, fine-loamy over sandy or sandy- skeletal, mixed.

   SH14: Rock Outcrop, Lithic Cryorthents, loamy-skeletal, mixed- Humic Dystrocryepts, loamy-skeletal, mixed- Histic Cryaquepts, fine-loamy over sandy or sandy-skeletal, mixed.

   SH15: Lithic Cryorthents, loamy-skeletal, mixed- Rock Outcrop- Typic Cryaquepts, fine-loamy over sandy or sandy-skeletal, mixed.

   SH16: Typic Haplocryalfs, loamy-skeletal, mixed- Typic Haplocryolls loamy-skeletal, mixed-Typic Dystrocryepts, loamy-skeletal, mixed- Histic Cryaquepts, fine-loamy over sandy or sandy-skeletal.

   SH17: Typic Cryorthents, loamy-skeletal, mixed; Typic Cryochrepts, loamy-skeletal, mixed and Rock Outcrop.

   SH18: Rock outcrop, Typic Dystrocryepts, loamy-skeletal, mixed- Lithic Dystrocryepts, loamy-skeletal, mixed and Lithic Cryorthents, loamy-skeletal, mixed.

   Entity_and_Attribute_Detail_Citation: None

1. Who are the originators of the data set? (may include formal authors, digital compilers, and editors)
   • Larry C. Munn and Christopher S. Arneson

2. Who also contributed to the data set?

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

   Chris Arneson
   Spatial Data and Visualization Center
   Box 3355 University Station
   Laramie, Wyoming 82071
   USA
   

   307-766-2735 (voice)
   n/a
   

   Hours_of_Service: 8 AM to 5 PM MST

This layer was originally created specifically for use in the Wyoming Ground Water Vulnerability Mapping Project being conducted at the Wyoming Water Resources Center, a statewide study of aquifer vulnerability to contamination from pesticides. In that context, it was to be used to assist in the generation of a rating map of how soils affect aquifer sensitivity to surface contaminants.

The Soils of Wyoming layers can be used, however, for many other purposes. It is intended to supplement other existing 1:100,000 scale digital natural resource layers of the state. Please see Use-Constraints for more details.

1. From what previous works were the data drawn?

   surficial geology (source 1 of 3)

   Wyoming State Geological Survey, 1998, Wyoming Digital Surficial Geology; <URL:http://www.sdvc.uwyo.edu/clearinghouse/metadata/surfgeol.html>.

   Type_of_Source_Media: digital

   Source_Scale_Denominator: 500000

   Source_Contribution: modeling layer

   bedrock geology (source 2 of 3)

   US Geological Survey, Denver Center, 1994, Digital Bedrock Geology for Wyoming; <URL:http://www.sdvc.uwyo.edu/clearinghouse/metadata/bedgeol.html>.

   Type_of_Source_Media: digital

   Source_Scale_Denominator: 5000000

   Source_Contribution: modeling layer

   dem (source 3 of 3)

   USGS, unknown, 3-arc-second (90m) Digital Elevation Model for Wyoming; <URL:http://www.sdvc.uwyo.edu/clearinghouse/metadata/dem90m.html>.

   Type_of_Source_Media: film

   Source_Scale_Denominator: 250000

   Source_Contribution: modeling layer

2. How were the data generated, processed, and modified?

   Date: 1998 (process 1 of 2)

   The Soils Map of Wyoming and the generalized soils maps of the counties in Wyoming are derived maps based on the five soil forming factors model first proposed in its entirety by the Russian soil scientist Doukachev, in the 1880's. This model was introduced broadly to American soil scientists by Hans Jenny (Jenny 1941). The five factors of soil formation are soil parent material, climate, biota, topography, and time. As Hudson (1992) pointed out, soil surveying is an activity that conforms well to the theories of paradigm-based science. During detailed soil surveys, field mapping is based on the projection of soil map unit concepts onto the landscape, after which map unit composition and boundary pLaement are subject to immediate field checking in the form of soil pit excavation(s). Generalized soils maps are often based on either a process of consolidation of detailed soils maps, or on projection of limited data from direct observation across a broad area through use of soil-landscape models. In the United States, the model used to describe soil-landscape relationships is most commonly the soil forming factor model. The maps prepared for this project were prepared using current understanding of soil-landscape models and available data in the form of published soil surveys, maps, and reports of the Natural Resource Conservation Service, the Forest Service, the Bureau of Land Management, and numerous theses and scientific papers published by the Wyoming Agricultural Experiment Station and the University of Wyoming.

   The soil map presented here differs from the STATSGO map developed by the Natural Resource Conservation Service (National Cartographic and GIS Center, 1998) in several ways. The STATSGO maps were developed by generalizing existing detailed soil surveys and were prepared on a 1:250,000-scale topographic map base. The mapping units in the STATSGO map contain from one to 21 components, and the soils components are represented at the series level. The STATSGO map provides a somewhat more detailed description of the soils in the state, with consequent complexity in interpretations. The detailed maps from which the STATSGO map was generalized were produced by numerous scientists over a thirty year time span. The surficial geology map of the state and the state bedrock geology map were not available in electronic form when these maps were produced and the original mapping was done on aerial photographs.

   The scale of 1:100,000 used for this map was specified by the larger Wyoming Ground-Water Vulnerability Mapping Project (Hamerlinck and Arneson 1998). The maps are based on a simplification of the five soil forming factor model. Climate is proxied by elevation. This was derived from the 3-arc-second USGS Digital Elevation Model for the state. There is a strong correspondence between elevation and precipitation in the state, and temperature regimes can also generally be characterized by elevation. Vegetation is also closely tied to elevation, through its effect on precipitation and temperature. Three temperature regimes are mapped in Wyoming: cryic in the higher mountains; frigid in the foothills, the high plains along the Rocky Mountain front, low mountains and high intermountain basins; and mesic in lower elevation basins and the Great Plains See Appendix in the report for definitions of temperature regimes). There are small areas of a fourth temperature regime (pergelic) at elevations above 10,000 feet in the highest mountains in the state. Soil parent material is derived from the digital version of the state geology map (Green and Drouillard 1994) and the state surficial geology map by Case, Arneson, and Hallberg (1998). Vegetation is inferred from climate, slope, and parent material. Time, or soil age, is inferred from elevation and surficial geology. The topographic factor is inferred from elevation, surficial geology and bedrock geology. All the analysis of these layers was conducted using conducted using ARC/INFO Geographic Information System software on a Silicon Graphics UNIX workstation.

   For a complete list of references, please refer to the published reports.

   Hudson, B.D. 1992. The soils survey as a paradigm-based science. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J. 56:838-841.

   Hamerlinck, J.D., and Arneson, C.S., editors, 1998, Wyoming Ground- Water Vulnerability Assessment Handbook: Volume 1. Background, Model Development, and Aquifer Sensitivity Analysis: Spatial Data and Visualization Center Publication SDVC 98-01-1, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY.

   Green, G.N. and P.H. Drouillard. 1994. The Digital Geologic Map of Wyoming in ARC/INFO Format. U.S. Geological Survey Open File Report 94-0425.

   Jenny, H. 1941. Factors of Soil Formation. New York: McGraw-Hill.

   National Cartographic And GIS Center. 1998. STATSGO-Wyoming. USDA- Natural Resource Conservation Service. Fort Worth, TX

   Date: 1998 (process 2 of 2)

   A full description of processes used to create this layer will be included in the final publication.

3. What similar or related data should the user be aware of?

1. How well have the observations been checked?

   see Process Steps

2. How accurate are the geographic locations?

   see Process Steps

3. How accurate are the heights or depths?

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

   All polygons are fully attributed.

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

   All polygons are closed and each polygon has one unique label.

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

Access_Constraints: none

Use_Constraints:

This data is currently in draft form and should not be used for any purpose without first contacting the authors. A final, usable version will be produced in Summer99 and will include a full hardcopy AES publication. This dataset may not be redistributed or repackaged in any form without the express written consent of the University of Wyoming Spatial Data and Visualization Center and the Department of Renewable Resources.

This map provides a generalized description of soils within each county of Wyoming. Soils are highly variable, both on a regional basis (plains, mountains, basins) and locally with changes in topography (north versus south slopes, side slopes versus ridge crest or foot slope positions), vegetation, climate, and geology. This map should be used for broad scale planning and general assessment of large areas of land. It should not be used for site specific interpretations such as site selection for an underground fuel storage tank or the development of management plans for individual farm fields. Such site intensive land uses require much more detailed soils information than is provided by this map.

1. Who distributes the data set? (Distributor 1 of 1)

   Data Manager
   Spatial Data and Visualization Center
   Box 4008 University Station
   Laramie, Wyoming 82071
   USA
   

   307-766-2735 (voice)
   n/a
   

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

3. What legal disclaimers am I supposed to read?

   The distributor shall not be held liable for improper or incorrect use of this data, based on the description of appropriate/inappropriate used described in this metadata document. The distributor makes no claims for the data's suitability for other purposes.

4. How can I download or order the data?
   • Availability in digital form:

     Data format:	ARCE (Arc/Info export) (version 7.0.4)
     Network links:	<http://www.sdvc.uwyo.edu/groundwater>

   • Cost to order the data:

     No fees are required for downloading the data that is on-line. Some fees may be required to cover costs of tapes if data is required on tape media.

Dates:

Last modified: 12-Aug-1998

Metadata author:

Margo Berendsen
Box 4008 University Station
Laramie, Wyoming 82071
USA

307-766-2751 (voice)
meh@uwyo.edu

Metadata standard:

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