Streams and Lakes Streams and Lakes Integrated Management Integrated Management

SystemSystem(SLIMS)(SLIMS)

SLIMS – What is it?

Integration of all streams and lakes information such as Chapter 93 Water Quality Standards, 305(b) 303(d) Stream Impairment Data, TMDLs, Trout Use Designations, Scenic Rivers, Act 220 State Water Planning, etc.

Query all available data layers via a map and via ad- hoc reporting

Near real-time data External partnering Uses the National Hydrography Dataset (NHD) for its

framework

SLIMS – Why?

Oracle Applications

MS Access Applications

Streams IndexSystem

File sent toPenn Stateadd StreamSegments

Water UsageData System

eFACTS

SampleInformation

System (SIS)

LabsInformation

ManagementSystem (LIMS)

Mine DrainageInventory

Water QualityData Modeling

Corp ofEngineers

((COE) NonDEP Data

Base)

United StateGeographic

Survey ((USGS(Non DEP Data

Base)

EPA Storet (Non-DEP database -populated using

SQL scrips)

eMap PA

Approved andUnderpreparation

SreamImprovement/

FloodProtection

EnvironmentalAlliance for

SeniorInvolvement

SpecialProtection/Rulemaking

TrackingSystem

There is no electronicinterfaces between Streams

Existing Use and SpecialProtention, but informationfrom Streams Exisiting Use

is used with the SpecialProtection Tracking System

Download

No electronic Interface

EPA Reporting

Ground Water2000

Dam Inventory

Under Construction

Upload

LEGEND

305(b) & 303(d)Stream report

StreamAttributes Data

BaseFish Tissue

Macroinverta-brate & Other

Fish Collection

StreamsExisting UseThis is a text

table andstored onthe

Web

Existing Use Data Base is anexisting text file that store

Standards from Chapter 93,Water Quality Standards isbeing built by Penn Stateand will Replace Existing

Use

SAS (point coverageinterface with ArcView

used to generatelanduse, slope and

ecoregions)

Water QualityAssessments

ReformattedData Base

sent to EPAonce per year

Lake Raw Data

LIMS Buildsexport tables

for SIS nightly.SIS exports

info

Streams Data Base

Download from eFACTSdone using queries

TotalMaximumDaily Load

(TLDM)

This information iscurrently stored in a

spread sheet. Penn Stateis currently building anaccess data base to

replace

To overcome disparate data systems in the Water Program

NHD – Framework for SLIMS

The National Hydrography Dataset (NHD) is a USGS/EPA created set of digital spatial data that contains information about naturally occurring and constructed bodies of water, natural and artificial paths through which water flows, and related hydrographic entities.

Within the NHD, features are combined to form reaches, which provide the framework for linking (or geocoding) water-related data to the NHD surface water drainage network.

Parts of the NHD

Streams

Watersheds Waterbody

Junctions

How is the NHD different from DEP’s current stream files?

NHD is a group of national hydrography layers representing streams as they are.

NHD utilizes reaches, which are segments of surface water (water bodies or streams) with similar hydrologic characteristics. Each reach has a unique ReachCode.

Presently, the NHD does not have River Mile Index (RMI) functionality built in.

The NHD uses 8, 10 and 12 digit HUC (Hydrologic Unit Code) levels to represent Subbasins, Watersheds and Subwatersheds, respectively. These boundaries are not affected by political boundaries.

Hydrologic Unit Levels

Benefits of the NHD

Data models utilizing the NHD can be used with limited additional development.

We now have streams outside of Pennsylvania. The NHD is better at using the Geographic Names

Information System (GNIS) to properly name stream segments.

The NHD provides easier integration with our Federal partners and surrounding states.

The NHD eliminates competing stream layers.

Conflation – Moving existing data to the NHD

Due to the complexity of moving existing enterprise records, the task was contracted to Research Triangle Institute (RTI) International, a non-profit company.

RTI was picked because of their history with helping USGS/EPA create the NHD, and their support of reach indexing of EPA programs such as 303(d), 305(b), WQS.

The Future of the NHD: Stewardship

The NHD is designed to be continuously updated by data stewards to correct any errors, along with adding new features and updates.

USGS is looking for partners at the state level to be the stewards for their respective states.

Pennsylvania DEP is in the final stages of developing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with USGS on being the NHD data steward for Pennsylvania.

SLIMS Applications

NHD Locator

Web-based GIS tool to link enterprise records from the Environment, Facility, Application, Compliance Tracking System (eFACTS) and the Sample Information System (SIS) with the NHD

Enables the data to reference the NHD without having to go through the conflation process

Determines reach code and measures, since stream code and RMI are obsolete

NHD Locator

Instream Comprehensive Evaluation (ICE)

The geometry and attribute input portion of SLIMS, to include stream assessments, lake assessments, TMDLs, existing use, designated use, fish surveys, and macroinvertebrate surveys

Station and stream geometry now reference the NHD, and are stored in an enterprise geodatabase

Desktop GIS solution utilizing ESRI’s ArcMap

ICE

SLIMS Web Application

Reporting and database administration portion of SLIMS

Adjustable security optionsTools for data exportAd-hoc reportingSimple and complex searchesDrill-down and edit functionsSort and filter data

SLIMS – Next Steps

Land Practices DMRs Partner’s Data Act 220 Citizens Volunteer Data?

Questions?Questions?

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