This data release includes maps characterizing soil geomorphic units (SGUs), climate zones, and ecological site groups that classify landscapes by ecological potential and behavior for use in land management in the Upper Colorado River Basin (UCRB) region. Soil geomorphic units were created by analysis and grouping of ecological sites (ESs), a more detailed local system of ecological units managed by the National Cooperative Soil Survey (NCSS). Vegetation reference community production data of ESs were analyzed to determine discrete rules based on field soils data linked to the soil survey geographic (SSURGO) database of the USA to determine SGUs. Then both reference production data and state and transition model (STM) state attribution data were used to optimize combination of potential climate zone breaks with SGUs to determine final ecological site groups (ESGs). A non-parameteric Manova framework was used for all analysis in creating SGUs and ESGs to find groupings that best discerned differences in reference production and STMs. These groups, and the associated climate zones are mapped at 30m resolution for this data release. Mapping was done using a digital soil mapping workflow that linked field soil descriptions keyed to SGU to environmental raster covariates (e.g. digital elevation model) to create a predictive mapping model. The ESGs were then created by overlaying various climate surfaces with the SGUs to reclassify pixels. The SGU predictions are provided as the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd most probable class for each pixel based on the underlying random forest model probabilities.

This dataset represents the extent and spatial distribution of irrigated agricultural lands in the Upper Colorado River Basin for 2007-10. The boundaries in this dataset were modified from data developed by state and local agencies in Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming. The data contain information about the irrigation method used to water the fields and an estimate of the irrigation status of the field for the summer growing seasons between 2007 and 2010. Irrigation method was determined from examination of 1-meter aerial imagery. Irrigation status was estimated from Landsat 5 Thematic Mapper satellite imagery and land cover classification methods.

This dataset represents the extent and spatial distribution of irrigated agricultural lands in the Upper Colorado River Basin for 2007-10. The boundaries in this dataset were modified from data developed by state and local agencies in Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming. The data contain information about the irrigation method used to water the fields and an estimate of the irrigation status of the field for the summer growing seasons between 2007 and 2010. Irrigation method was determined from examination of 1-meter aerial imagery. Irrigation status was estimated from Landsat 5 Thematic Mapper satellite imagery and land cover classification methods.

This generalized geology dataset was developed as input to a total dissolved solids Spatially Referenced Regressions on Watershed Attributes (SPARROW) model for the Upper Colorado River Basin (UCRB; Kenney and others, 2009) and for a more recent update to that model. The largest source of naturally generated dissolved solids in streams of the UCRB is the rocks underlying stream basins, particularly rocks high in dissolvable minerals. For the purposes of modeling, the scale of the geologic dataset optimally should be similar to the scale of the stream-catchment network used in the model but simplified to reduce the number of geologic units represented in the data. This dataset was developed to meet both scale and simplification requirements by grouping lithologic units found in five 1:500,000-scale state geologic maps into broad lithologic units based on 1:2,500,000-scale King and Beikman Geology. References cited: Kenney, T.A., Gerner, S.J., Buto, S.G., and Spangler, L.E., 2009, Spatially referenced statistical assessment of dissolved-solids load sources and transport in streams of the Upper Colorado River Basin: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2009-5007, 50 p. Available at http://pubs.usgs.gov/sir/2009/5007.

This generalized geology dataset was developed as input to a total dissolved solids Spatially Referenced Regressions on Watershed Attributes (SPARROW) model for the Upper Colorado River Basin (UCRB; Kenney and others, 2009) and for a more recent update to that model. The largest source of naturally generated dissolved solids in streams of the UCRB is the rocks underlying stream basins, particularly rocks high in dissolvable minerals. For the purposes of modeling, the scale of the geologic dataset optimally should be similar to the scale of the stream-catchment network used in the model but simplified to reduce the number of geologic units represented in the data. This dataset was developed to meet both scale and simplification requirements by grouping lithologic units found in five 1:500,000-scale state geologic maps into broad lithologic units based on 1:2,500,000-scale King and Beikman Geology. References cited: Kenney, T.A., Gerner, S.J., Buto, S.G., and Spangler, L.E., 2009, Spatially referenced statistical assessment of dissolved-solids load sources and transport in streams of the Upper Colorado River Basin: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2009-5007, 50 p. Available at http://pubs.usgs.gov/sir/2009/5007.

This data set is a digital soil survey and generally is the most detailed level of soil geographic data developed by the National Cooperative Soil Survey. The information was prepared by digitizing maps, by compiling information onto a planimetric correct base and digitizing, or by revising digitized maps using remotely sensed and other information. This data set consists of georeferenced digital map data and computerized attribute data. The map data are in a soil survey area extent format and include a detailed, field verified inventory of soils and miscellaneous areas that normally occur in a repeatable pattern on the landscape and that can be cartographically shown at the scale mapped. A special soil features layer (point and line features) is optional. This layer displays the location of features too small to delineate at the mapping scale, but they are large enough and contrasting enough to significantly influence use and management. The soil map units are linked to attributes in the National Soil Information System relational database, which gives the proportionate extent of the component soils and their properties.

hsg_UCRB_Maurer_resolution.asc is an Esri ASCII grid representing the hydrologic soil group (HSG) for the Upper Colorado River Basin. The HSG for an area is determined by the least water-transmitting layer in the soil column. The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) classifies four HSGs from Group A (high infiltration capacity and low overland flow potential) to Group D (low infiltration capacity and high overland flow potential). In Soil-Water Balance recharge simulations, a lookup table incorporates HSG and land-cover information for each grid cell to define unique runoff curve numbers, vegetation rooting depths, interception values, and maximum daily recharge values.

hsg_UCRB_Maurer_resolution.asc is an Esri ASCII grid representing the hydrologic soil group (HSG) for the Upper Colorado River Basin. The HSG for an area is determined by the least water-transmitting layer in the soil column. The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) classifies four HSGs from Group A (high infiltration capacity and low overland flow potential) to Group D (low infiltration capacity and high overland flow potential). In Soil-Water Balance recharge simulations, a lookup table incorporates HSG and land-cover information for each grid cell to define unique runoff curve numbers, vegetation rooting depths, interception values, and maximum daily recharge values.

This data collection includes spatial and tabular datasets related to the delineation and characterization of surface moisture zones (SMZs) in the vicinity of springs mapped in the National Hydrography Dataset (NHD) in southeastern Oregon using time-series analysis of Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) data derived from Landsat Thematic Mapper 5 imagery from 1985-2011. The study area is within and adjacent to the Steens Mountain Cooperative Management and Protection Area (CMPA), which is a protected area of approximately 1,732 km2 managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) in Harney County, Oregon. Within or adjacent to the Steens Mountain CMPA, approximately 1,100 springs are mapped in the NHD, however very little hydrologic data exists for these springs. Data in this data release were produced using a set of scripts written in the R programming language, which are also included in this data release (see ‘larger works citation’ to access R scripts and associated metadata). These data processing scripts, data products, and associated metadata provide documentation for a novel remote-sensing based approach to assess the potential resilience of spring-dependent ecosystems to inter-annual changes in water availability. This approach uses time-series analysis of NDVI to (1) delineate SMZs in the vicinity of mapped springs in a semi-arid sage-steppe landscape, (2) derive quantitative indicators of the relative resilience of these SMZs to inter-annual changes in water availability, and (3) synthesize these indicators into an overall resilience score for each cluster of springs. Specifically, for 39 spring clusters in Harney County, Oregon, USA, these scripts process Landsat-derived NDVI and precipitation data from 1985-2011 to derive 7 potential indicators of SMZ resilience to water-cycle changes. For detailed information on the resilience indicators, including their conceptual basis, methods of calculation, and interpretation, see Cartwright and Johnson (2018) and the R scripts and their associated metadata in this data release. References: Cartwright and Johnson (2018), Springs as hydrologic refugia in a changing climate? A remote sensing approach. Ecosphere X(X).

This digital data release presents subsurface data from multiple geologic units that were part of a previous study of the regional subsurface structural configuration of the Powder River Basin in Wyoming and Montana. The original data within this geodatabase is sourced from an unpublished doctoral dissertation by Jessie Melick at Montana State University (Melick, 2013). Data contained in this release were generated from elevation grids developed by Jessie Melick using 28,000 wells and geophysical well logs penetrating Paleozoic to Mesozoic strata over a 70,000 square-kilometer area designated by the Department of Energy as a realistic locality for geologic carbon sequestration (Melick, 2013). Information included in this release represents a small component of the larger geomodel, which includes rock-property details such as facies analysis, porosity calculations, and net to gross thickness, among others. Well locations, well identification numbers, geophysical logs, and any other non-public data or information used in the creation of this dataset has been explicitly omitted. Data in this release includes elevation point features on the stratigraphic tops of the Mesaverde Group, Frontier Formation, Lakota Formation, Tensleep Formation, Madison Group, and Precambrian basement that were exported from the original horizon grids as points on a 500x500 m grid spacing. This release additionally contains structure contour maps of the tops of these same units; the contours were digitally generated from the point arrays using automated contouring methods within a geographic information system. Characterizing these units in the subsurface is of value, as they have been identified as potential reservoirs for the geologic sequestration of carbon, units of interest for geothermal energy production, may serve as regional groundwater aquifers, and are currently considered productive hydrocarbon reservoirs (Melick, 2013). Formation top points and structure contours were formatted and attributed as GIS data sets for use in digital form as part of U.S. Geological Survey’s ongoing effort to inventory, catalog, and release subsurface geologic data in geospatial form. This effort is part of a broad directive to develop 2D and 3D geologic information at detailed, national, and continental scales. This data approximates, but does not strictly follow the USGS NCGMP GeMS data structure schema for geologic maps.Structure contour lines for each formation are stored within separate “IsoValueLine” feature classes, while formation tops for each formation are stored as point data in separate “MapUnitPoints” feature classes. These are distributed within a geographic information system geodatabase and are also saved as shapefiles. Contour and point data are provided in both feet and meters to maintain consistency with the original publication and for ease of use. Nonspatial tables define the data sources used, define terms used in the dataset, and describe the geologic units referenced herein. A tabular data dictionary describes the entity and attribute information for all attributes of the geospatial data and accompanying nonspatial tables.