Today, many Alaskans are mapping Alaska’s water to meet modern standards. Although much work remains to complete hydrography updates statewide, many partners are making great strides in improving this important dataset for all Alaskans. The map below shows the quality of hydrography data throughout the state. Until recently, much of Alaska’s hydrography remained in it’s original 1:63,360-scale condition.
Hydrography data in much of Alaska has seen at least some improvement since the original National Hydrography Dataset (NHD) was released in 2008. However, most of the state still needs significant updates to meet national 1:24,000-scale mapping standards. Since 2013, the Alaska Hydrography Database (AK HYDRO) has ensured that hydrography updates happening throughout the state make their way into the NHD in a timely and consistent manner. AK HYDRO simplifies the hydrography editing process and allows partners throughout the state to include important and necessary attributes with their mapped water data.
Hydrography is a complex dataset, and therefore data may vary greatly from one part of the state, or project, to another. AK HYDRO is working with partners to ensure that newly updated data meets national 1:24,000-scale hydrography mapping standards. Getting to that point takes time and requires numerous updates to various components of hydrography.