Geographic Names Information System

Metadata:

Identification_Information:
Citation:
Citation_Information:
Originator: U.S. Geological Survey
Originator: Washington State Department of Ecology
Publication_Date: 19810501
Title: Geographic Names Information System
Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: vector digital data
Publication_Information:
Publication_Place: Reston, VA
Publisher: U.S. Geological Survey
Online_Linkage: <http://www.ecy.wa.gov/services/gis/data/data.htm#gnis>
Online_Linkage: <http://geonames.usgs.gov/>
Description:
Abstract:
An automated inventory of the names and locations of physical and cultural geographic features located throughout the United States.
Purpose:
To promote geographic feature name standardization and to serve as the Federal Government's repository of information regarding feature name spellings and applications for features in U.S. The names listed in the inventory can be published on Federal maps, charts, and in other documents. The feature locative information has been used in emergency preparedness, marketing, site-selection and analysis, genealogical and historical research, and transportation routing applications.
Supplemental_Information:
This GNIS dataset was downloaded from the GNIS website, <http://geonames.usgs.gov/domestic/download_data.htm>. It covers the State of Washington only.
Time_Period_of_Content:
Time_Period_Information:
Range_of_Dates/Times:
Beginning_Date: 19941220
Ending_Date: 20020730
Currentness_Reference: ground condition
Status:
Progress: In work.
Maintenance_and_Update_Frequency: As needed.
Spatial_Domain:
Bounding_Coordinates:
West_Bounding_Coordinate: -124.863439
East_Bounding_Coordinate: -104.838078
North_Bounding_Coordinate: 49.217740
South_Bounding_Coordinate: 37.522077
Keywords:
Theme:
Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: None.
Theme_Keyword: geographic feature
Theme_Keyword: feature name
Theme_Keyword: place name
Place:
Place_Keyword_Thesaurus: None.
Place_Keyword: United States
Place_Keyword: Territories
Place_Keyword: Outlying Areas
Place_Keyword: Washington
Place_Keyword: Pacific Northwest
Access_Constraints: None
Use_Constraints: None
Point_of_Contact:
Contact_Information:
Contact_Person_Primary:
Contact_Person: Roger L. Payne
Contact_Organization: U.S. Geological Survey
Contact_Position: Chief, Branch of Geographic Names
Contact_Address:
Address_Type: mailing address
Address: 523 National Center
City: Reston
State_or_Province: Virginia
Postal_Code: 20192
Country: United States of America
Contact_Voice_Telephone: (703) 648 4544
Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: rpayne@usgs.gov
Hours_of_Service: 0730-1700
Browse_Graphic:
Browse_Graphic_File_Name: <http://www.ecy.wa.gov/services/gis/data/geonames/gnis.gif>
Browse_Graphic_File_Description: Simple image
Browse_Graphic_File_Type: GIF
Data_Set_Credit:
The Geographic Names Information System was developed by the U.S. Geological Survey in cooperation with the U.S. Board on Geographic Names.
Native_Data_Set_Environment:
Microsoft Windows XP Version 5.1 (Build 2600) Service Pack 2; ESRI ArcCatalog 9.1.0.722
Cross_Reference:
Citation_Information:
Originator: United States Geological Survey
Originator: U.S. Board on Geographic Names (BGN)
Title: Geographic Names Information System (GNIS)
Online_Linkage: <http://geonames.usgs.gov/>
Data_Quality_Information:
Attribute_Accuracy:
Attribute_Accuracy_Report:
A random sample of 10% of the entries in the system were visually verified against the compilation source data (large-scale USGS topographic maps) to ensure an accuracy rate of at least 95%.
Logical_Consistency_Report:
Locative references (geographic coordinates, topographic map, and county) are cross-checked for logical consistency.
Completeness_Report:
This dataset contains information about physical and cultural geographic features identified by a proper name, with the exception of most roads and highways.
Positional_Accuracy:
Horizontal_Positional_Accuracy:
Horizontal_Positional_Accuracy_Report:
Accuracy of these digital data is based upon the use of source graphics which are compiled to meet National Map Accuracy Standards. Comparison to the graphic source is used as control to assess digital positional accuracy.
Lineage:
Source_Information:
Source_Citation:
Citation_Information:
Originator: U.S. Geological Survey
Publication_Date: unknown
Title: 1:24,000-scale topographic maps
Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: map
Publication_Information:
Publication_Place: Reston, VA
Publisher: U.S. Geological Survey
Source_Scale_Denominator: 24000
Type_of_Source_Media: paper
Source_Time_Period_of_Content:
Time_Period_Information:
Range_of_Dates/Times:
Beginning_Date: unknown
Ending_Date: present
Source_Currentness_Reference: publication date
Source_Citation_Abbreviation: USGS
Source_Contribution: Feature names and attribute information
Source_Information:
Source_Citation:
Citation_Information:
Originator: U.S. Board on Geographic Names
Publication_Date: Unpublished material
Title: Records of the U.S. BGN
Type_of_Source_Media: card files
Source_Time_Period_of_Content:
Time_Period_Information:
Range_of_Dates/Times:
Beginning_Date: 1932
Ending_Date: present
Source_Currentness_Reference: creation date
Source_Citation_Abbreviation: USBGN
Source_Contribution: Feature names and attribute information
Source_Information:
Source_Citation:
Citation_Information:
Originator: U.S. Forest Service
Publication_Date: unknown
Title: U.S. Forest Service 1:24,000-scale topographic maps
Type_of_Source_Media: paper
Source_Time_Period_of_Content:
Time_Period_Information:
Range_of_Dates/Times:
Beginning_Date: unknown
Ending_Date: present
Source_Currentness_Reference: publication date
Source_Citation_Abbreviation: USFS
Source_Contribution: Feature names and attribute information
Process_Step:
Process_Description:
GNIS Phase I data compilation and edit--Feature name and attribute data are collected from the largest-scale USGS topographic maps available. These data are compared to the records of the U.S. Board on Geographic Names.

Imported from GNIS website. Converted to ArcInfo coverage format, projected to Washington Stateplane, South Zone, NAD 27.

Source_Used_Citation_Abbreviation: USGS, USBGN
Process_Date: 198105
Process_Contact:
Contact_Information:
Contact_Person_Primary:
Contact_Person: Roger L. Payne, Robin D. Worcester
Process_Contact:
Contact_Information:
Contact_Person_Primary:
Contact_Person: Roger L. Payne, Robin D. Worcester
Contact_Organization: U.S. Geological Survey
Contact_Position: Chief, Geographic Names Information Section
Contact_Address:
Address_Type: mailing address
Address: 523 National Center
City: Reston
State_or_Province: Virginia
Postal_Code: 20192
Contact_Voice_Telephone: 1 703 648 4551
Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: rwrocest@usgs.gov
Process_Step:
Process_Description:
GNIS Maintenance program--Maintenance cooperators feed GNIS new names and corrections discovered in the course of new mapping and revision activities and implementation of the national geographic names standarization program.
Source_Used_Citation_Abbreviation: USBGN, USGS, USFS
Process_Date: ongoing
Process_Contact:
Contact_Information:
Contact_Person_Primary:
Contact_Person: Robin D. Worcester
Contact_Organization: U.S. Geological Survey
Contact_Position: Chief, Geographic Names Information Section
Contact_Address:
Address_Type: mailing address
Address: 523 National Center
City: Reston
State_or_Province: Virginia
Postal_Code: 20192
Contact_Voice_Telephone: 1 703 648 4551
Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: rworcest@usgs.gov
Hours_of_Service: 0900-1700
Process_Step:
Process_Description:
GNIS points overlay with 1:24k hydro water body coverage. Point location moved where coding indicated a land based point located in water (example: school located in a bay). GNIS points overly with 24k WRIA polygon coverage to provide wria_nr id in data base. Elevation coding (ELEV) updated using Arc command LATTICESPOT with 30-meter elevation grid WA30. Stream end points located outside state boundary were moved to where stream crosses state border. Duplicate points eliminated where found. Points for county, census and other large areas (wilderness, national park, etc.) were deleted.
Process_Date: 20050613
Process_Contact:
Contact_Information:
Contact_Person_Primary:
Contact_Person: Mike Woodall
Contact_Organization: Washington State Department of Ecology
Contact_Position: ITAS4 Database/Cartography GIS Technical Services
Contact_Address:
Address_Type: mailing address
Address: P.O. Box 47600
City: Olympia
State_or_Province: Washington
Postal_Code: 98504-7600
Country: United States of America
Contact_Address:
Address_Type: physical address
Address: 300 Desmond Drive
City: Olympia
State_or_Province: Washington
Postal_Code: 98503
Country: United States of America
Contact_Voice_Telephone: (360) 407-6088
Contact_Facsimile_Telephone: (360) 407-6493
Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: miwo461@ecy.wa.gov
Hours_of_Service: 6am-3pm, m-f
Process_Step:
Process_Description: Metadata imported.
Source_Used_Citation_Abbreviation: O:\state\covers\gnis\metadata.xml
Spatial_Data_Organization_Information:
Indirect_Spatial_Reference:
Features are located by State and county, and related to the USGS topographic map on which the feature is shown.
Direct_Spatial_Reference_Method: Vector
Point_and_Vector_Object_Information:
SDTS_Terms_Description:
SDTS_Point_and_Vector_Object_Type: Entity point
Point_and_Vector_Object_Count: 31949
SDTS_Terms_Description:
SDTS_Point_and_Vector_Object_Type: Complete chain
Point_and_Vector_Object_Count: 0
SDTS_Terms_Description:
SDTS_Point_and_Vector_Object_Type: Point
Point_and_Vector_Object_Count: 4
Spatial_Reference_Information:
Horizontal_Coordinate_System_Definition:
Planar:
Map_Projection:
Map_Projection_Name: Lambert Conformal Conic
Lambert_Conformal_Conic:
Standard_Parallel: 45.833333
Standard_Parallel: 47.333333
Longitude_of_Central_Meridian: -120.500000
Latitude_of_Projection_Origin: 45.333333
False_Easting: 1640416.666667
False_Northing: 0.000000
Planar_Coordinate_Information:
Planar_Coordinate_Encoding_Method: coordinate pair
Coordinate_Representation:
Abscissa_Resolution: 0.008192
Ordinate_Resolution: 0.008192
Planar_Distance_Units: survey feet
Geodetic_Model:
Horizontal_Datum_Name: D_North_American_1983_HARN
Ellipsoid_Name: Geodetic Reference System 80
Semi-major_Axis: 6378137.000000
Denominator_of_Flattening_Ratio: 298.257222
Entity_and_Attribute_Information:
Detailed_Description:
Entity_Type:
Entity_Type_Label: gnis
Attribute:
Attribute_Label: FID
Attribute_Definition: Internal feature number.
Attribute_Definition_Source: ESRI
Attribute_Domain_Values:
Unrepresentable_Domain:
Sequential unique whole numbers that are automatically generated.
Attribute:
Attribute_Label: Shape
Attribute_Definition: Feature geometry.
Attribute_Definition_Source: ESRI
Attribute_Domain_Values:
Unrepresentable_Domain: Coordinates defining the features.
Attribute:
Attribute_Label: ID
Attribute_Definition: Feature ID
Attribute:
Attribute_Label: NAME
Attribute_Definition: Feature name
Attribute:
Attribute_Label: CLASS
Attribute_Definition: Class of feature
Attribute:
Attribute_Label: S_LAT_DEC
Attribute_Definition: Souce latitude decimal degrees
Attribute:
Attribute_Label: S_LON_DEC
Attribute_Definition: Source longitude decimal degrees
Attribute:
Attribute_Label: ST_ALPHA
Attribute_Definition: State two letter alpha code
Attribute_Domain_Values:
Enumerated_Domain:
Enumerated_Domain_Value: CA
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: California
Enumerated_Domain:
Enumerated_Domain_Value: ID
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Idaho
Enumerated_Domain:
Enumerated_Domain_Value: OR
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Oregon
Enumerated_Domain:
Enumerated_Domain_Value: WA
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Washington
Attribute:
Attribute_Label: ELEV_METER
Attribute_Definition: Elevation in meters
Attribute:
Attribute_Label: ST_NUM
Attribute_Definition: State FIPS code
Attribute_Domain_Values:
Enumerated_Domain:
Enumerated_Domain_Value: 6
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: California
Enumerated_Domain:
Enumerated_Domain_Value: 16
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Idaho
Enumerated_Domain:
Enumerated_Domain_Value: 41
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Oregon
Enumerated_Domain:
Enumerated_Domain_Value: 53
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Washington
Attribute:
Attribute_Label: MAP_NAME
Attribute_Definition: USGS Quadrangle name
Attribute:
Attribute_Label: COUNTY
Attribute_Definition: County name
Attribute:
Attribute_Label: COUNTY_NUM
Attribute_Definition: County FIPS code where feature is located
Attribute_Domain_Values:
Enumerated_Domain:
Enumerated_Domain_Value: 1
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Adams County
Enumerated_Domain:
Enumerated_Domain_Value: 3
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Asotin County
Enumerated_Domain:
Enumerated_Domain_Value: 5
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Benton County
Enumerated_Domain:
Enumerated_Domain_Value: 7
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Chelan County
Enumerated_Domain:
Enumerated_Domain_Value: 9
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Clallam County
Enumerated_Domain:
Enumerated_Domain_Value: 11
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Clark County
Enumerated_Domain:
Enumerated_Domain_Value: 13
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Columbia County
Enumerated_Domain:
Enumerated_Domain_Value: 15
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Cowlitz County
Enumerated_Domain:
Enumerated_Domain_Value: 17
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Douglas County
Enumerated_Domain:
Enumerated_Domain_Value: 19
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Ferry County
Enumerated_Domain:
Enumerated_Domain_Value: 21
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Franklin County
Enumerated_Domain:
Enumerated_Domain_Value: 23
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Garfield County
Enumerated_Domain:
Enumerated_Domain_Value: 25
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Grant County
Enumerated_Domain:
Enumerated_Domain_Value: 27
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Grays Harbor County
Enumerated_Domain:
Enumerated_Domain_Value: 29
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Island County
Enumerated_Domain:
Enumerated_Domain_Value: 31
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Jefferson County
Enumerated_Domain:
Enumerated_Domain_Value: 33
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: King County
Enumerated_Domain:
Enumerated_Domain_Value: 35
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Kitsap County
Enumerated_Domain:
Enumerated_Domain_Value: 37
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Kittitas County
Enumerated_Domain:
Enumerated_Domain_Value: 39
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Klickitat County
Enumerated_Domain:
Enumerated_Domain_Value: 41
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Lewis County
Enumerated_Domain:
Enumerated_Domain_Value: 43
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Lincoln County
Enumerated_Domain:
Enumerated_Domain_Value: 45
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Mason County
Enumerated_Domain:
Enumerated_Domain_Value: 47
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Okanogan County
Enumerated_Domain:
Enumerated_Domain_Value: 49
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Pacific County
Enumerated_Domain:
Enumerated_Domain_Value: 51
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Pend Oreille County
Enumerated_Domain:
Enumerated_Domain_Value: 53
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Pierce County
Enumerated_Domain:
Enumerated_Domain_Value: 55
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: San Juan County
Enumerated_Domain:
Enumerated_Domain_Value: 57
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Skagit County
Enumerated_Domain:
Enumerated_Domain_Value: 59
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Skamania County
Enumerated_Domain:
Enumerated_Domain_Value: 61
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Snohomish County
Enumerated_Domain:
Enumerated_Domain_Value: 63
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Spokane County
Enumerated_Domain:
Enumerated_Domain_Value: 65
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Stevens County
Enumerated_Domain:
Enumerated_Domain_Value: 67
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Thurston County
Enumerated_Domain:
Enumerated_Domain_Value: 69
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Wahkiakum County
Enumerated_Domain:
Enumerated_Domain_Value: 71
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Walla Walla County
Enumerated_Domain:
Enumerated_Domain_Value: 73
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Whatcom County
Enumerated_Domain:
Enumerated_Domain_Value: 75
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Whitman County
Enumerated_Domain:
Enumerated_Domain_Value: 77
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Yakima County
Attribute:
Attribute_Label: P_LAT_DEC
Attribute_Definition: Primary latitude decimal degrees
Attribute:
Attribute_Label: S_LAT_DMS
Attribute_Definition: Source latitude degrees minutes seconds
Attribute:
Attribute_Label: P_LAT_DMS
Attribute_Definition: Primary latitude degrees minutes seconds
Attribute:
Attribute_Label: P_LONG_DMS
Attribute_Definition: Primary longitude degrees minutes seconds
Attribute:
Attribute_Label: P_LONG_DEC
Attribute_Definition: Primary longitude decimal degrees
Attribute:
Attribute_Label: S_LONG_DMS
Attribute_Definition: Source longitude degrees minutes seconds
Overview_Description:
Entity_and_Attribute_Overview:
The dataset contains records for named geographic features located in the United States, its Territories and Outlying Areas. The records are organized by State (or State equivalent). Each record includes: the official name of the feature; the feature type; the county(s) in which the feature is located; the name(s) of the USGS 1:24,000-scale topographic map(s) on which the feature is shown; geographic coordinates locating the mouth of linear features and the approximate center of aerial features, and coordinates locating the feature on each additional (if any) USGS 1:24,000-scale map on which the feature is shown; a bibliographic code referring to the source of information for each record, and other names by which the feature may be or may have been known. Some records include information about the history of the feature or the origin of the feature name.
Entity_and_Attribute_Detail_Citation:
U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey, 1987 Geographic Names Information System--Data Users Guide 6; Reston, Virginia. Softcopy in hypertext format is available at: <URL:http://mapping.usgs.gov/www/ti/GNIS/gnis_users_guide_toc.html>
Distribution_Information:
Distributor:
Contact_Information:
Contact_Organization_Primary:
Contact_Organization: Earth Science Information Center, U.S. Geological Survey
Contact_Address:
Address_Type: mailing address
Address: 507 National Center
City: Reston
State_or_Province: Virginia
Postal_Code: 20192
Contact_Voice_Telephone: (888) ASK-USGS
Hours_of_Service:
In addition to the address above there are other ESIC offices throughout the country. A full list of these offices is at: <URL:http://mapping.usgs.gov/esic/esic_index.html>
Resource_Description: Geographic Names Information System
Distribution_Liability:
Although these data have been processed successfully on a computer system at the U.S. Geological Survey, no warranty expressed or implied is made by the USGS regarding the utility of the data on any other system, nor shall the act of distribution constitute any such warranty. The Geological Survey will warrant the delivery of this product in computer-readable format, and will offer appropriate adjustment of credit when the product is determined unreadable by correctly adjusted computer input peripherals, or when the physical medium is delivered in damaged condition. Requests for adjustment of credit must be made within 90 day from the date of this shipment from the ordering site.
Standard_Order_Process:
Digital_Form:
Digital_Transfer_Information:
Format_Name: ARCE
Format_Version_Number: 8
Transfer_Size: 0.853
Digital_Transfer_Option:
Online_Option:
Access_Instructions: <http://mapping.usgs.gov/www/gnis/gnisftp.html>
Online_Option:
Access_Instructions: <http://www.ecy.wa.gov/services/gis/data/data.htm#gnis>
Fees:
$57 for the CD-ROM. A $3.50 handling charge is applied to all mail orders.
Ordering_Instructions:
Can be downloaded at <http://mapping.usgs.gov/www/gnis/gnisftp.html>.
Technical_Prerequisites:
Requires an IBM PC-XT-AT or compatible microcomputer with 512 kilobytes of memory, with DOS operating system version 3.0 or greater; one 20 megabyte hard disk drive; and a CD-ROM reader with software drivers that read ISO-9660 formatted CD-ROMs. The CD-ROM contains software for searching, sorting, displaying, printing, and exporting the data. The software must be installed onto a hard disk before the data can be used.
Metadata_Reference_Information:
Metadata_Date: 20060927
Metadata_Contact:
Contact_Information:
Contact_Organization_Primary:
Contact_Organization: U.S. Geological Survey
Contact_Address:
Address_Type: mailing address
Address: 508 National Center
City: Reston
State_or_Province: Virginia
Postal_Code: 20192
Country: United States of America
Contact_Voice_Telephone: (703) 648 4543
Metadata_Standard_Name: FGDC Content Standards for Digital Geospatial Metadata
Metadata_Standard_Version: FGDC-STD-001-1998
Metadata_Time_Convention: local time
Metadata_Access_Constraints: None
Metadata_Use_Constraints: None
Metadata_Extensions:
Online_Linkage: <http://www.esri.com/metadata/esriprof80.html>
Profile_Name: ESRI Metadata Profile
Generated by mp version 2.8.6 on Wed Sep 27 13:59:44 2006