Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

Datalayers

project pic

An example of the "School" datalayer focused in Greenfield.

Project Overview

Datalayers are sets of electronic information that are used to make custom maps. They can be combined, or "layered", in any number of ways allowing a map to reflect exactly the characteristics desired. The FRCOG develops its own datalayers, and uses those created by other agencies such as MassGIS. Datalayers are updated on a regular basis to ensure that the information is current.


FRCOG GIS Datalayers:

  1. Open Space - shows lands that are protected from development
  2. Land Use - shows the type of use occurring currently on property; for example: Forest, Cropland, Transportation, Mining, etc.
  3. Water lines
  4. Sewer lines
  5. Transportation lines (roads, rail, bus routes, etc.)
  6. Transmission lines
  7. Public water supplies (public wells)
  8. Zoning (for individual towns)
  9. Aquifers (low yield and high yield)
  10. Hazardous Waste sites (tier II)
  11. Town Boundaries
  12. Contour Lines
  13. Census data (population)
  14. Major Employers
  15. Vernal pools
  16. Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Act data (rare wildlife, rare plant species)
  17. Underground Storage tanks
  18. Gas Stations
  19. Sidewalks
  20. Trails (hiking)
  21. Shaded Relief (usually used as a background)
  22. Cell towers
  23. Schools
  24. Prisons
  25. Special Needs Facilities (nursing homes, elderly)
  26. Libraries
  27. Town Halls
  28. Fire Stations
  29. Police Stations
  30. Hospitals
  31. Historical sites
  32. Bridges
  33. Parcel Lines/Boundaries
  34. Slope – Shows steepness of land
  35. Aerial Photos
  36. USGS maps as a datalayer

Links

U.S. Geological Survey (http://www.usgs.gov/)

Mass GIS - Massachusett's Office of Geographic and Environmental Information (http://www.mass.gov/mgis/massgis.htm)

NH GRANIT - New Hampshire's statewide geographic information system (http://www.granit.sr.unh.edu)

Vermont Center for Geographic Information (http://www.vcgi.org/)

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) (http://www.fema.gov/)