Identification Information

Abstract This data set represents the extent, approximate location and type of wetlands and deepwater habitats in the United States and its Territories. These data delineate the areal extent of wetlands and surface waters as defined by Cowardin et al. (1979). The National Wetlands Inventory - Version 2, Surface Waters and Wetlands Inventory was derived by retaining the wetland and deepwater polygons that compose the NWI digital wetlands spatial data layer and reintroducing any linear wetland or surface water features that were orphaned from the original NWI hard copy maps by converting them to narrow polygonal features. Additionally, the data are supplemented with hydrography data, buffered to become polygonal features, as a secondary source for any single-line stream features not mapped by the NWI and to complete segmented connections. Wetland mapping conducted in WA, OR, CA, NV and ID after 2012 and most other projects mapped after 2015 were mapped to include all surface water features and are not derived data. The linear hydrography dataset used to derive Version 2 was the U.S. Geological Survey's National Hydrography Dataset (NHD). Specific information on the NHD version used to derive Version 2 and where Version 2 was mapped can be found in the 'comments' field of the Wetlands_Project_Metadata feature class. Certain wetland habitats are excluded from the National mapping program because of the limitations of aerial imagery as the primary data source used to detect wetlands. These habitats include seagrasses or submerged aquatic vegetation that are found in the intertidal and subtidal zones of estuaries and near shore coastal waters. Some deepwater reef communities (coral or tuberficid worm reefs) have also been excluded from the inventory. These habitats, because of their depth, go undetected by aerial imagery. By policy, the Service also excludes certain types of "farmed wetlands" as may be defined by the Food Security Act or that do not coincide with the Cowardin et al. definition. Contact the Service's Regional Wetland Coordinator for additional information on what types of farmed wetlands are included on wetland maps. This dataset should be used in conjunction with the Wetlands_Project_Metadata layer, which contains project specific wetlands mapping procedures and information on dates, scales and emulsion of imagery used to map the wetlands within specific project boundaries.
Purpose The present goal of the Service is to provide the citizens of the United States and its Trust Territories with current geospatially referenced information on the status, extent, characteristics and functions of wetlands, riparian, deepwater and related aquatic habitats in priority areas to promote the understanding and conservation of these resources.
Supplemental Information Digital wetlands data are intended for use us with base maps and digital aerial photography at a scale of 1:12,000 or smaller. Due to the scale, the primary intended use is for regional and watershed data display and analysis, rather than specific project data analysis. The map products were neither designed or intended to represent legal or regulatory products. Questions or comments regarding the interpretation or classification of wetlands or deepwater habitats can be addressed by visiting http://www.fws.gov/wetlands/FAQs.html These data were developed in conjunction with the publication Cowardin, L.M., V. Carter, F.C. Golet, and E.T. LaRoe. 1979. Classification of Wetlands and Deepwater Habitats of the United States. U.S. Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service, Washington, DC. FWS/OBS-79/31. Alpha-numeric map codes have been developed to correspond to the wetland and deepwater classifications described. For more informtion on the wetland classification codes visit http://www.fws.gov/wetlands/Data/Wetland-Codes.html. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service uses data standards to increase the quality and compatibility of its data. The standards used for the wetlands data can be found at: http://www.fws.gov/wetlands/Data/Data-Standards.html and include the FGDC Wetlands Mapping Standard, FGDC-STD-015-2009. Note that coastline delineations were drawn to follow the extent of wetland or deepwater features as described by this project and may not match the coastline shown in other base maps. Any use of trade, product, or firm names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government. Although this Federal Geographic Data Committee-compliant and Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata (CSDGM) file is intended to document the data set in nonproprietary form, as well as in Arc/INFO format, this metadata file may include some Arc/INFO-specific terminology.

Time Period of Content

Range of Dates/Times

Beginning Date 1977-01-01
Ending Date 2017-01-01

Currentness Reference ground condition

Status

Progress Complete
Maintenance and Update Frequency Unknown

Spatial Domain

Bounding Coordinates

West Bounding Coordinate -109.108444771
East Bounding Coordinate -102.95915669
North Bounding Coordinate 37.512723472
South Bounding Coordinate 31.232882754

Keywords

Theme

Thesaurus ISO 19115 Topic Category
Keyword environment
Keyword oceans
Keyword geoscientificInformation
Keyword inlandWaters

Theme

Thesaurus None
Keyword USFWS
Keyword National Wetlands Inventory
Keyword Deepwater habitats
Keyword NWI
Keyword Coastal waters
Keyword Wetlands
Keyword Hydrography
Keyword Swamps, marshes, bogs, fens
Keyword Surface water
Keyword U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Place

Thesaurus None
Keyword Alaska
Keyword Idaho
Keyword New Hampshire
Keyword Massachusetts
Keyword Connecticut
Keyword Maine
Keyword Oregon
Keyword Guam
Keyword Minnesota
Keyword Hawaii
Keyword Saipan
Keyword South Dakota
Keyword California
Keyword Wyoming
Keyword Indiana
Keyword Arkansas
Keyword New Mexico
Keyword Georgia
Keyword Ohio
Keyword District of Columbia
Keyword Mississippi
Keyword Wisconsin
Keyword Illinois
Keyword Pennsylvania
Keyword New York
Keyword South Carolina
Keyword Kentucky
Keyword Virginia
Keyword Vermont
Keyword West Virginia
Keyword Utah
Keyword Florida
Keyword Delaware
Keyword Texas
Keyword United States
Keyword Alabama
Keyword Colorado
Keyword Arizona
Keyword Michigan
Keyword Tennessee
Keyword North Carolina
Keyword Washington
Keyword Missouri
Keyword Rhode Island
Keyword Maryland
Keyword Nevada
Keyword Montana
Keyword Oklahoma
Keyword New Jersey
Keyword Iowa
Keyword Nebraska
Keyword Kansas
Keyword Louisiana
Keyword North Dakota
Keyword Puerto Rico
Keyword Virgin Islands

Access Constraints None

Use Constraints None. Precautions - Federal, state, and local regulatory agencies with jurisdiction over wetlands may define and describe wetlands in a different manner than that used in this inventory. There is no attempt, in either the design or products of this inventory, to define the limits of proprietary jurisdiction of any Federal, state, or local government or to establish the geographical scope of the regulatory programs of government agencies. Persons intending to engage in activities involving modifications within or adjacent to wetland areas should seek the advice of appropriate federal, state, or local agencies concerning specified agency regulatory programs and proprietary jurisdictions that may affect such activities. Acknowledgement of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and (or) the National Wetlands Inventory would be appreciated in products derived from these data.

Point of Contact

Contact Information

Contact Person Primary

Contact Person
Contact Organization

Contact Organization Primary

Contact Organization U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Contact Person

Contact Position National Standards and Support Team

Contact Address

Address Type mailing and physical
Address 505 Science Drive
City Madison
State or Province WI
Postal Code 53711
Country US

Contact Voice Telephone 608-268-9333

Contact Facsimile Telephone 608-238-9334

Contact Electronic Mail Address wetlands_team@fws.gov

Hours of Service

Contact Instructions

Browse Graphic

File Name NM_Wetlands.zip
File Type application/zip
Description NM_Wetlands

Native Data Set Environment Version 6.2 (Build 9200) ; Esri ArcGIS 10.7.1.11595

Cross Reference

Citation Information

Originator U.S. Fish and Wildlife Serivce, National Wetlands Inventory

Publication Date 2020-10-01

Publication Time

Title Wetlands and Deepwater Habitats of the United States

Geospatial Data Presentation Form vector digital data

Publication Information

Publication Place Washington, D.C. USA
Publisher U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Other Citation Details

Data Quality Information

Attribute Accuracy Report

Report The source data was checked using standard review procedures. Attributes were checked by using visual inspection as well as automated verification routines. Quality of the attribute information varies with age and mapping protocols used when individual maps were prepared

Quantitative Attribute Accuracy Assessment

Attribute Accuracy Value
Attribute Accuracy Explanation

Logical Consistency Report Polygon and chain-node topology are present. Every polygon has a label.

Completeness Report This data set represents the extent of wetlands and deepwater habitats that can be determined with the use of remotely sensed data and within the timeframe for which the maps were produced. Wetlands are shown in all of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam and Saipan. The accuracy of image interpretation depends on the quality of the imagery, the experience of the image analysts, the amount and quality of the collateral data, and the amount of ground truth verification work conducted. There is a margin error inherent in the use of imagery, thus detailed on-the-ground inspection of any particular site, may result in revision of the wetland boundaries or classification, established through image analysis. Wetlands or other mapped features may have changed since the date or the imagery and/or field work. There may be occasional differences in polygon boundaries or classifications between the information depicted on the map and the actual conditions on site.

Lineage

Source Information

Source Citation

Citation Information

Originator U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Publication Date 2020-10-01

Publication Time

Title Wetlands and Deepwater Habitats of the United States

Geospatial Data Presentation Form vector digital data

Publication Information

Publication Place Washington, D.C.
Publisher U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Other Citation Details

Source Scale Denominator 24000

Type of Source Media hardcopyPaper

Source Time Period of Content

Source Currentness Reference ground condition

Source Citation Abbreviation Wetlands and Deepwater Habitats of the United States

Source Contribution Spatial information

Process Step

Process Description The National Wetlands Inventory - Version 2, Surface Waters and Wetlands Inventory was derived using an ESRI Data Model with 481 logical and topological processes. Linear NWI features retained their original NWI Code and were buffered to specific widths based on the following rules: Palustrine = 6m, Riverine Perennial = 8m, Riverine Intermittent = 6m, Marine, Estuarine and Lacustrine = 8m. The NHDFlowline features were buffered to the width based on the FType field using the following general rules: CanalDitch = 4m, Intermittent = 6m and Perennial = 6m. The NHDFlowline features were coded with NWI Codes based on the following general rules: CanalDitch/aqueduct = R5UBFr, CanalDitch/all others = R5UBFx, Intermittent Stream = R4SBC, Perennial Stream = R5UBH. Further refinement of the NWI Codes was implemented based on spatial intersect with known NWI features and specific FCode information from the NHD dataset. Topological modifications were conducted to remove overlapping features. In general buffered NWI linears were clipped into NWI polygons and both the NWI polygons and buffered NWI linears were used to erase buffered NHDFlowlines. Further topological refinements were conducted within the the buffered linear feature layers based on intersections with known NWI features and using a hierarchy based on NWI Code Sub-system and Water Regime. For more specific information on the logical and topological processes involved in deriving this dataset visit: http://www.fws.gov/wetlands/Data/Wetlands-V2-Product-Summary.html
Process Date 2004-01-01
Process Time
Process Contact

Process Step

Process Description This dataset is continually updated in various areas of the Nation with wetlands data from the USFWS, other federal, state and local agencies, tribes, non-governmental organizations and universities. To identify these updated areas review the Data Source layers on the Wetlands Mapper, Projects Mapper on the Mapper homepage, or the Wetlands Project Metadata featureclass that is included in the data downloads. The Wetlands Project Metadata feature class may also include a URL to link to a document that identifies project speciic techniques, source imagery and conventions used for that specific project. All data additions comply with the the FGDC Wetlands Mapping Standard, FGDC-STD-015-2009 and the Wetlands Classification Standard, which can be found at: http://www.fws.gov/wetlands/Data/Data-Standards.html.
Process Date 2004-01-01
Process Time
Process Contact

Process Step

Process Description The National Wetlands Inventory - Version 2, Surface Waters and Wetlands Inventory was derived by retaining the wetland and deepwater polygons that compose the NWI digital wetlands spatial data layer and reintroducing any linear wetland or surface water features that were orphaned from the original NWI hard copy maps by converting them to narrow polygonal features. Additionally, the data are supplemented with hydrography data (high resolution NHD 931v210 or 931v220), buffered to become polygonal features, as a secondary source for any single-line stream features not mapped by the NWI and to complete segmented connections. Specific information on the NHD version used to derive Version 2 and where Version 2 was mapped can be found in the 'comments' field of the Wetlands_Project_Metadata feature class.
Process Date 2004-01-01
Process Time
Process Contact

Process Step

Process Description Original stable base hard copy maps of wetland and deepwater habitats were created based on USGS state and quadrangle boundaries. These maps were converted to digital files using various software packages (WAMS, ARC and others). The digital files were stored as ESRI Import/Export files corresponding to a single 1:24,000 USGS quadrangle. These digital files were imported and converted to ESRI Coverage format and checked for topological and attribute errors. All coverages were converted from a UTM map projection to an Alber's Equal Area map projection and the horizontal datum was converted from NAD27 to NAD83 were necessary. Polygons attributed as "Uplands" were removed from the dataset and polygons were merged at quadrangle boundaries where the quadrangle line divided polygons with the same attribute. The data was loaded into a seamless SDE geodatabase for the conterminous United States. These steps were conducted using both Arc Macro Language (AML) and ArcMap editing tools. All point data from the original ESRI Coverages were buffered by 11.28 meters (1/10 of an acre) and incorporated into this polygon feature class. Further data improvements included the conversion of all old wetland codes that contained 'OW' to the new code containing 'UB', 'BB' to 'US', 'FL' to 'US', and 'SB' to 'US' except for 'R4SB' codes. Old Water Regimes were also changed, 'W' to 'A', 'Y' to 'C' and 'Z' to 'H'. All polygons labeled as 'OUT', 'No Data' and 'NP' were removed from the database.
Process Date 2004-01-01
Process Time
Process Contact

Spatial Data Organization Information

Indirect Spatial Reference Method Unknown

Direct Spatial Reference Method Vector

Point and Vector Object Information

SDTS Terms Description

SDTS Point and Vector Object Type GT-polygon composed of chains
Point and Vector Object Count 415149

Spatial Reference Information

Spatial Reference

Name NAD 1983 Albers
Code EPSG:Unknown
URL http://gstore.unm.edu/sprefs/EDAC-Unknown

Entity and Attribute Information

Detailed Description

Entity Type

Entity Type LabelNM_Wetlands
Entity Type Definition Reference: Cowardin et al. 1979
Entity Type Definition Source U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Attribute

Attribute Label SHAPE

Attribute Definition Feature geometry.

Attribute Definition Source ESRI

Attribute Domain Values

Unrepresentable Domain Coordinates defining the features.

Attribute

Attribute Label OBJECTID

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_Length

Attribute Definition Length of feature in internal units.

Attribute Definition Source ESRI

Attribute Domain Values

Unrepresentable Domain Positive real numbers that are automatically generated.

Attribute

Attribute Label SHAPE_Area

Attribute Definition Area of feature in internal units squared.

Attribute Definition Source ESRI

Attribute Domain Values

Unrepresentable Domain Positive real numbers that are automatically generated.

Attribute

Attribute Label ACRES

Attribute Definition Area of the polygon in acres.

Attribute Definition Source Calculated in an Albers Equal Area projection using ESRI's geometry calculator.

Attribute Domain Values

Unrepresentable Domain Area of the polygon in acres.

Attribute

Attribute Label ATTRIBUTE

Attribute Definition Alphanumeric code identifying the wetland classification of the polygon.

Attribute Definition Source http://www.fws.gov/wetlands/Data/Wetland-Codes.html

Attribute Domain Values

Unrepresentable Domain The wetland classification codes are a series of letter and number codes that have been developed to adapt the national wetland classification system to map form. These alpha-numeric codes correspond to the classification nomenclature (Cowardin et al. 1979) that best describes the habitat. (for example, PFO1A). Currently there are over 7,000 code combinations in the dataset with over 14 million possible permutations of the code. For information on the wetland codes visit: http://www.fws.gov/wetlands/Data/Wetland-Codes.html.

Attribute

Attribute Label WETLAND_TYPE

Attribute Definition General description of the wetland based on the Cowardin wetland classification.

Attribute Definition Source http://www.fws.gov/wetlands/Data/Mapper-Wetlands-Legend.html

Attribute Domain Values

Enumerated Domain

Enumerated Domain Value Lake
Enumerated Domain Value Definition Lake or reservoir basin. Lacustrine wetland and deepwater (L).
Enumerated Domain Value Definition Source http://www.fws.gov/wetlands/Data/Mapper-Wetlands-Legend.html

Enumerated Domain Value Freshwater Emergent Wetland
Enumerated Domain Value Definition Herbaceous marsh, fen, swale and wet meadow. Palustrine emergent (PEM).
Enumerated Domain Value Definition Source http://www.fws.gov/wetlands/Data/Mapper-Wetlands-Legend.html

Enumerated Domain Value Estuarine and Marine Wetland
Enumerated Domain Value Definition Vegetated and non-vegetated brackish and saltwater marsh, shrubs, beach, bar, shoal or flat. Estuarine intertidal and Marine intertidal wetland (E2, M2).
Enumerated Domain Value Definition Source http://www.fws.gov/wetlands/Data/Mapper-Wetlands-Legend.html

Enumerated Domain Value Other
Enumerated Domain Value Definition Farmed wetland, saline seep and other miscellaneous wetland. Palustrine wetland (Misc. types, PUS, Pf..)
Enumerated Domain Value Definition Source http://www.fws.gov/wetlands/Data/Mapper-Wetlands-Legend.html

Enumerated Domain Value Freshwater Pond
Enumerated Domain Value Definition Pond. Palustrine unconsolidated bottom, Palustrine aquatic bed (PUB, PAB).
Enumerated Domain Value Definition Source http://www.fws.gov/wetlands/Data/Mapper-Wetlands-Legend.html

Enumerated Domain Value Estuarine and Marine Deepwater
Enumerated Domain Value Definition Open water estuary, bay, sound, open ocean. Estuarine and Marine subtidal water (E1, M1).
Enumerated Domain Value Definition Source http://www.fws.gov/wetlands/Data/Mapper-Wetlands-Legend.html

Enumerated Domain Value Riverine
Enumerated Domain Value Definition River or stream channel. Riverine wetland and deepwater (R).
Enumerated Domain Value Definition Source http://www.fws.gov/wetlands/Data/Mapper-Wetlands-Legend.html

Enumerated Domain Value Freshwater Forested/Shrub Wetland
Enumerated Domain Value Definition Forested swamp or wetland shrub bog or wetland. Palustrine forested and/or Palustrine shrub (PFO, PSS).
Enumerated Domain Value Definition Source http://www.fws.gov/wetlands/Data/Mapper-Wetlands-Legend.html

Distribution Information

Distributor
Resource Description Downloadable Data
Distribution Liability The material on this site is made available as a public service. Maps and data are to be used for reference purposes only and the Earth Data Analysis Center (EDAC), Resource Geographic Information System (RGIS) and The University of New Mexico are not responsible for any inaccuracies herein contained. No responsibility is assumed for damages or other liabilities due to the accuracy, availability, use or misuse of the information herein provided. Unless otherwise indicated in the documentation (metadata) for individual data sets, information on this site is public domain and may be copied without permission; citation of the source is appreciated.
Custom Order Process Contact Earth Data Analysis Center at clearinghouse@edac.unm.edu
Technical Prerequisites Adequate computer capability is the only technical prerequisite for viewing data in digital form.

Metadata Reference Information

Metadata Date 2025-07-06

Metadata Review Date

Metadata Future Review Date

Metadata Contact

Contact Information

Contact Person Primary

Contact Person
Contact Organization

Contact Organization Primary

Contact Organization Earth Data Analysis Center
Contact Person

Contact Position Clearinghouse Manager

Contact Address

Address Type mailing and physical address
Address MSC01 1110
Address 1 University of New Mexico
City Albuquerque
State or Province NM
Postal Code 87131-0001
Country USA

Contact Voice Telephone 505-277-3622 ext. 230

Contact Facsimile Telephone 505-277-3614

Contact Electronic Mail Address clearinghouse@edac.unm.edu

Hours of Service 0800 - 1700 MT, M-F -7 hours GMT

Contact Instructions

Metadata Standard Name FGDC Content Standards for Digital Geospatial Metadata

Metadata Standard Version FGDC-STD-001-1998

Metadata Time Convention

Metadata Access Constraints

Metadata Use Constraints

Metadata Security Information

Security Classification System None
Security Classification Unclassified
Security Handling Description None

Metadata Extensions

New Mexico Wetlands

Metadata from the RGIS Metadata Repository

Identification Information

Data Quality Information

Spatial Data Organization Information

Spatial Reference Information

Entity and Attribute Information

Distribution Information

Metadata Reference Information