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Here are common GIS questions about our Department of Ecology GIS data and maps. If you cannot find your question here, try the comp.infosystems.gis newsgroup or contact us.
Zip files are "archives" used for distributing and storing files. Ecology uses zip file compression for large files to save space. More information about zip files can be found on WinZip's website.
Shapefiles are a vector data storage format for storing the location, shape, and attributes of geographic features. A shapefile is stored in a set of related files and contains one feature class.
White paper on shapefiles: http://www.esri.com/library/whitepapers/pdfs/shapefile.pdf
Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shapefile
An E00 (E-zero-zero) file is Environment Systems Research Institute's (ESRI) proprietary file format to import and export ArcInfo data files. The E00 refers to the file's suffix. For example, county.e00 could be a GIS layer of counties for a state. Note that an export file can also consist of several E00 files, such as, e00, e01, e02, etc. This is usually done to limit the file size of each export file (so they can fit on a disk).
More information on E00 files can be found at:
To use an E00 file, go to the second question below.
To use Ecology's GIS layers spatially, you need to have GIS software that can view shapefiles. One such program is ArcGIS Explorer, which is available for free at ESRI's website:
ArcGIS Explorer is available for Windows, MacIntosh, UNIX, and Linux systems.
If you are not familiar with GIS and/or just want to view the tabular data, you can view the dBase (DBF) file that is part of the shapefile structure. When you unzip the Zip file, you will find a DBF file. Shapefiles store the non-spatial data in DBF format, which can then be viewed in a program, such as Microsoft Excel.
Other GIS programs, that we know of:
Note that we have not used these programs and therefore, cannot offer any recommendations nor support. Also, check the Open Source GIS website.
Our GIS Applications page has programs where some of our data can be viewed in your Internet browser.
IMPORT71 is a stand-alone program that converts an ArcInfo interchange file created on any other operating system into a ArcInfo 7.x coverage or grid. If you receive ArcInfo data in interchange format you can use IMPORT71 to convert it to a data source in a format that can be added to a project or view in ArcView (or used in other mapping programs). (Source: ArcView 3.2 help.) If you have ArcView GIS you already have IMPORT71, hopefully you know this!
Import71 can be downloaded from:
GeoCommunity software resources: http://software.geocomm.com/translators/ArcView
Instructions on how to use IMPORT71: http://spatialnews.geocomm.com/education/tutorials/e00data.
ArcGIS, version 8.3:
First, use ArcToolbox to convert the E00 file to a coverage.
Click on Coverage Tools > Conversion > To Coverage:
Then fill in the blanks for the paths and filename/coverage name and click the OK button:
ArcGIS, version 9.x:
First you need to add the data format conversion tools. To add the E00 file conversion function (and other tools):
In ArcCatalog select Tools > Customize
In the Customize dialog > Toolbars tab > Select ArcView 8.x Tools
This adds a new tools set with a drop down list to do the following. Import e00 file is Import from Interchange File.
Workstation ArcInfo:
For workstation ArcInfo, use the IMPORT command at the Arc: prompt. This example shows how to import a file named, data.e00 to create a coverage named, data, in the current workspace:
Arc: import cover data data
Note: Sometimes a coverage will have one or many related data files. If there are any, these files will be found in the info directory that gets created when you import the E00 file. Use the dir info command to list the Info files in the info directory. Use the list <filename> to see the contents of the file. Also, data files in Info format can be exchanged using the IMPORT command. In this case, you must use the info option with the import command:
Arc: import info data data
Not here on our site. We can, however, convert it using ArcGIS' conversion tools. Due to the time involved though, we must charge for this service. Please contact us for further assistance or you can try using a data converter.
If you can't use a E00 file, you will have to covert it to another format. Some data converters are found at this site: http://software.geocomm.com/translators/arcview/.
Export the database table as a DBF file:
In Microsoft Excel 2007, there is no option to save the table in .dbf (dBASE) format as in previous versions. This is by design with Microsoft Office 2007.
Export an Excel table to .dbf format in ArcGIS:At http://www.ecy.wa.gov/services/gis/data/data.htm.
We have some other sites listed at http://www.ecy.wa.gov/services/gis/data/data.htm#sources.
Other sites:
In ArcGIS, use ArcToolbox:
Click on:
Choose the dataset, the name you want to call the output, and then the output coordinate system. At this point you can also choose the projection of your choice, for example, UTM.
For Washington stateplane:
Choose:
Of course, if your project is in the northern counties of the state, you will want to choose NAD 1927 StatePlane Washington North FIPS 4601.prj.
For the Geographic Transformation, you need to add two transformations:
Click on the
Button
to choose them from the menu.
Workstation Arc/Info:
If you have a coverage and are using workstation ArcInfo, use the PROJECT command with the COVER option:
ARC: project cover <input coverage> <output coverage> {projection file}
These are the projection file parameters to convert a coverage from NAD 83 HARN to NAD 27 for Washington state plane, south zone, feet:
input
projection stateplane
units feet
fipszone 4602
datum hpgn nadcon
parameters
output
projection stateplane
units feet
fipszone 4602 (or zone 5626)
datum nad27
parameters
end
If you want to save these parameters, copy and paste (omit the text in parenthesis) them to a projection file, which can be used the the command line as shown above. Note that a projection file is a text formatted file.
In ArcCatalog or ArcMap, use ArcToolbox. Start ArcToolBox by
clicking on the
in the tool bar.Click on:
Click on Project to bring up the Project Menu. |
 |
| Project Menu
Choose the dataset to project. Output Dataset or Feature Class: ArcToolBox will create an output file name for you. If want to have a different name and/or path, fill in the name you want to call the output. Output Coordinate System: Click on the icon on the right side of the menu. The Spatial Reference Properties Menu will appear. |
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| Spatial Reference Properties Menu
Note the Details: section is blank. Click on the Select button (middle of the menu) |
 |
| Browse for Coordinate System Menu
Choose: Projected Coordinate Systems Click the Add button |
 |
| Browse for Coordinate System Menu
Choose: State Plane Click the Add button |
 |
| Browse for Coordinate System Menu
Choose: NAD 83 HARN (Feet, Intl and US) Click the Add button |
 |
| Browse for Coordinate System Menu
Scroll to the end and find Washington. Choose: NAD 1983 HARN StatePlane Washington South FIPS 4602 Feet.prj Click the Add button |
 |
| Spatial Reference Properties Menu
Note that Details: section is now filled out with the NAD 83 HARN projection information. Click on the OK button at the bottom of the menu to continue. |
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| Project Menu
Now you need to choose the Geographic Transformation. Note that his transformation consists of two parts so you need to make two selections. Click
|
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| Project Menu
First transformation: NADCON. Choose: NAD_1927_To_NAD_1983_ NADCON |
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| Project Menu
Second transformation: WA_OR. Click
Choose: NAD_83_To_HARN_WA_OR |
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| Project Menu
Your menu should look like this:
If you made a mistake, highlight the entry and click on the
Click the
|
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Workstation Arc/Info:
If you are using workstation ArcInfo and are using coverages, use the PROJECT command with the COVER option:
ARC: project cover <input coverage> <output coverage> {projection file}
These are the projection file parameters to convert a coverage from NAD 27 to NAD 83 HARN for Washington state plane, south zone, feet:
input
projection stateplane
units feet
zone 5626
datum nad27
parameters
output
projection stateplane
units feet
fipszone 4602
datum hpgn nadcon
parameters
end
If you want to save these parameters, copy and paste them to a projection file, which can be used the the command line as shown above. Note that a projection file is a text formatted file.
Due to security concerns from the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, Ecology removed these two layers from our website; however, they are available.
The public water supply well data is available from the Department of Health. Please go to their GIS Website and/or contact Steve Leibenguth, (360) 236-3148 for further information.For dam metadata, see http://www.ecy.wa.gov/services/data/hydro/dams.htm. Request the data layer by contacting Doug Johnson, Dam Inspector, Dam Safety Office, Department of Ecology, (360) 407-6623. Our Facility/Site layer also contains DAMS. Query the field: ECO_INT_CD = DAM. Note that you need to set up a join to do this.
This question is only applicable if you are using the coverage version of our COUNTY layer. Coverages can be comprised of several data types. For example, in COUNTY (shown below), there are six types. Access these different types by clicking once on the yellow and blue "county" folder. Select polygon from the list to show the 39 Washington Counties. If you just double click on "county", ArcView defaults to the first layer, which in this case is region.air.
In the directory where you unzipped the facility.zip file, there will be a facility.shp and a facility_int.dbf file. The facility_int.dbf file is known as the interaction file; it relates to the facility.shp file by the key item, GEO_LOC_ID. It shows how Ecology interacts with a particular facility. Note that there can be a many relations-to-one facility relationship. Please read the facility metadata to find the different code definitions for the interactions or you can view the interaction table which has all the different code types.
More information on facilities can be found at: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/services/as/iss/fsweb/fshome.html.
Go to standards page.
ESRI' site has highway symbols for several states:
Sites that we know of:
Yes, it was released on January 15, 2004 and on June 5, 2005 we placed the 2004 candidate list on our website. Please go to our GIS Data webpage to download it. For more information on the 303(d) process, please visit Washington State's Water Quality Assessment 303(d) webpage: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/wq/303d/2002/2002-index.html.
Not yet. We are currently working on the coastal dynamics, geology and habitat layers. Please contact Brain Lynn, Shorelands and Environmental Assistance Program (SEA), (360) 407-6224, for more information.
At the University of Washington, look for Digital Raster Graphics (DRG).
For aerial photos of Washington's marine shoreline, see the Washington Coastal Atlas on our website.
If you are looking for orthophotos, the University of Washington has Washington orthophotos.
Designations for the Shoreline Management Act, like conservancy, natural, urban, rural, etc., are managed by individual cities and counties where the shoreline is located. Our layers only show where streams and waterbodies fall under shoreline jurisdiction. Here are some links for Washington counties and Washington Cities. For more information on the SMA, see Ecology's Shoreline Management Homepage.
Ecology does not, but check the these layers:
Please contact Chris Anderson, (360) 407-6634, for information on this application. Also, we have a GIS Well Log Location layer available for download.
The Department of Ecology and other state resource agencies frequently use a system of "Watershed Resource Inventory Areas" or "WRIAs" to refer to the state's major watershed basins. For more information on WRIAs, see our My Watershed Webpage.
Yes, we have maps in PDF format. They are available in different theme areas comprised of WRIAs, counties, or statewide. We also have a printing tips printing tips webpage to help you print the maps on your printer. If these maps do not fit your needs, please contact our cartographer to discuss your request.
Yes, but it's usually available as a statewide data layer. We have listed the data sources for the maps in a table on each of the theme pages: WRIAs, counties, or statewide. In each of these tables, follow the links listed in the Organization column.
Yes, we have put together a webpage, Tips for Viewing and Printing WRIA, County, and State PDF MAPS, for printing our maps.
Yes, but only by request. Please contact our cartographer, Mike Woodall, (360) 407-6088 for more information.
Each of the maps within each WRIA or county are designed to be used in overlay format with one another using hard copy transparency film. For example, one can overlay all of the theme maps in WRIA 1 or Thurston County; however, adjacent WRIAs or counties cannot be joined, as in WRIAs 2 and 3 or Thurston and Pierce Counties, because they are of different scales.
See Performance Tips and Tricks for ArcGIS Desktop 8.1, An ESRI Technical Paper, September 2001 (PDF format).
The Washington State Department of Personnel offers ArcGIS training. Also, try Environmental Systems Research Institute, your local colleges, or do a search in Google.
Rich Kim
Spatial Database Administrator & GIS Webguy
Washington State Department of Ecology
P.O. Box 47600
Olympia, Washington 98504-7600
Phone: 360-407-6121
Fax: 360-407-6493
E-Mail (rich.kim@ecy.wa.gov)
Page last revised on Tuesday, November 17, 2009 13:26 by Rich Kim
Copyright © Washington State Department of Ecology. See http://www.ecy.wa.gov/copyright.html.
at the right side of the Geographic Transformation fill-in form.
button to delete it. Then click on the
button to start the transformation process.
