![](media/image1.png){width="6.454166666666667in"
height="1.1236111111111111in"}

Processed Thematic Mapper Satellite Imagery for Selected Areas within
the U.S.-Mexico Borderlands

***By* John C. Dohrenwend1, Floyd Gray2, *and* Robert J. Miller3**

::: Definition-Term
Open File Report 00-309
:::

Version 1.0

2001

This report is preliminary and has not been reviewed for conformity with
U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) editorial standard nor with the North
American stratigraphic codes.

**U.S. Department of the Interior**

**Gale A. Norton, Secretary**

**U.S. Geological Survey**

**Charles G. Groat, Director**

1 PO Box 141, Teasdale, UT 84773

2 U.S. Geological Survey, Tucson, Ariz.

3 U.S. Geological Survey, Menlo Park, Calif.

**INTRODUCTION**

Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM) satellite full-scene images have been
selected and processed for a large portion of the United States---México
transborder region (Figure 1 and Figure 2, see TM_index.jpg). The
Landsat TM images included on these CD-ROMs are digital color composites
of middle, near infrared and visible light derived from TM bands 7, 4
and 2. The characteristics of the images were selected to facilitate
coregistration with standard UTM projected map data and facilitate usage
in a broad range of GIS and other graphical platforms.

The passage of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA),
establishment of the Border Environmental Cooperation Commission (BECC)
as well as the EPA U.S./México Border XXI Program have focused attention
on the environmental, social-cultural, and economic conditions in the
United States---México frontier and to the enhanced necessity of a
binational, transborder approach in addressing problems. Currently, the
border region is the location of numerous data collection and research
activities by state and national government entities, non-government
organizations (NGOs), and universities. Much of the work being done
recognizes that the region's physical setting, ecological zones, and
human phenomena extend uninterrupted across the international boundary
and cannot be understood if restricted to one side of the border.
Researchers and land managers representing both countries need current,
accurate, and binationally compatible geospatial information to deal
with such issues as water availability and pollution, natural resource
sustainability, and human health. Towards this end, this assembled
U.S---México borderlands Thematic Mapper imagery is designed to be
utilized as a fundamental part of a basic geographic information system
database for natural resource, environmental, and land-management
studies.

**DISCLAIMERS**

This Compact Disc-Read-Only-Memory (CD-ROM) publication was prepared by
an agency of the United States Government. Neither the United States
Government nor any agency thereof, nor any of their employees, makes any
warranty, expressed or implied, or assumes any legal liability or
responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any
information, apparatus, product, or process disclosed in this report, or
represents that its use would not infringe privately owned rights.
Reference therein to any specific commercial product, process, or
service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise does not
necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, or
favoring by the United States Government or any agency thereof.

Although all data and software published on this CD-ROM set have been
used by the USGS, no warranty, expressed or implied, is made by the USGS
as to the accuracy of the data and related materials and (or) the
functioning of the software. The act of distribution shall not
constitute any such warranty, and no responsibility is assumed by the
USGS in the use of this data, software, or related materials.

Any use of trade, product, or firm names is for descriptive purposes
only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.

![](media/image2.jpeg){width="6.486805555555556in"
height="4.956944444444445in"}

**Figure 1.** General location map of the United States---México
transborder region (within heavy black line).

**SELECTED AREAS OF THEMATIC MAPPER COVERAGE**

The following geographical areas and their associated issues highlight
regions of the U.S.---México borderlands that merit mention as regions
where special international cooperation is warranted (see U.S./México
Border XXI Program Framework Document for further details: U.S. EPA,
1996). The USGS Bureau Border Strategy Team[^1] highlighted many of the
areas as ideal sites for implementing an interdisciplinary research
approach . These areas have been selected because of their relevance to
border-wide information needs, their importance to management decisions
by international, federal, state, local, and tribal agencies, and the
critical nature of habitat, resource, or sustainable development issues.
Within each area, broad objectives have been identified as guidelines
for future studies. For each of these areas, a cross-border consistent
database is a fundamental first step in addressing these complex issues.

### San Diego -Tijuana Urban Corridor (Image 40_37 provides coverage of this area)

Issues and objectives: The rapidly growing San Diego-Tijuana urban
corridor is located in one of the most seismically active areas of North
America. Critical landscape and natural-resource issues include the
disruptive effects of earthquakes, landslides, and floods on urban
infrastructure, and the effects of urbanization on water resources. The
principal water resource issues include balancing water demand and
supply (imported), and polluted runoff from both countries. Urban
flooding, sedimentation of coastal estuaries, and flood-plain management
are additional issues affecting the area. A basic objective of a
resource-based effort would be to characterize the linkages between
natural hazards and urbanization and develop tools to effectively manage
complex watersheds for the benefit of both humans and indigenous
species.

### Salton Sea (Image 39_37 provides coverage of this area)

Issues and objectives: The Salton Sea, a 35-mile long inland,
hypersaline lake in southern California, is located in the lowest
portion of a desert valley. Legally designated as a repository for
irrigation drain water, the Sea has been the subject of considerable
negative publicity for several years. Increasing salinity, rising and/or
falling water-surface elevations, and wildlife mortalities all have
contributed to the loss of value for the Sea and surrounding area. The
most recent outbreak (1996) of avian botulism claimed approximately 20%
of the total Pacific Flyway population of endangered brown pelicans.
This was followed in 1997 by an outbreak of Newcastle's disease. All of
these issues have focused the problems of the Salton Sea for federal
agencies, Congress, state and local agencies, and the public. The
overall objective of assessing ecosystem health from a multidisciplinary
scientific perspective is preeminent for this region of the border.

Colorado River Delta -- Baja California ***(Images 37_38, 38_38, and
39_38 provide coverage of this area)***

Issues and Objectives: The Colorado River Delta and the northern Baja
California region include many protected areas that are rich in
biodiversity and natural beauty, including: the Sierra de San Pedro
Martin National Forest Reserve, the Alto Golfo de California -- Delta
del Rio Colorado Biosphere Reserve, the Cienega de Santa Clara, and the
Pinacate -- Gran Desierto de Altar Biosphere Reserve. The delta of the
Colorado River in México is among the world's great desert estuaries and
supports freshwater, brackish, and intertidal wetlands that represents
important wintering habitat for migratory waterfowl. These wetlands
contain the only populations of substantial size of a variety of
endangered species, such as Desert Pupfish and Yuma Clapper Rail. The
marine zone of the Alto Golfo de California -- Delta Rio Colorado
Biosphere Reserve contains rare and endangered marine species, some of
which have been severely affected by overexploitation. Residual flows
from the U.S. by way of the Colorado River into México along with
irrigation return flows and brine waters have dramatically affected the
ecology of the upper Gulf of California and the Cienega de Santa Clara.
An informed binational water management plan for flood and irrigation
--return fresh water inflow into the delta is required to adequately
maintain the remaining vital wetlands.

San Pedro-Santa Cruz Basins ***(Images 36_38, 35_39, and 35_38 provide
coverage of this area)***

Issues and objectives: The primary natural-resource issues associated
with these basins are limited water quantity, impaired water quality and
potential impacts of mining operations. Water in the San Pedro River is
supplied by flows that originate in México and by discharge from the
adjacent aquifers. Management challenges include maintenance of
sufficient flows for the protection of riparian environments, resolution
of conflicting water-use interests, legal determination of water rights,
and identification of the effects of water-resources development in the
upper reaches in México. Acidic water due to mineral deposits and
tailings dam failures in México have had significant impacts on
downstream habitats, and often sewage effluent makes up the majority of
the flow in the Santa Cruz River. Ground water in the Nogales area is
contaminated by infiltration of sewage and industrially derived water.
Pressing water-management decisions are being made without an adequate
understanding of the origin of surface flows, ground water-surface water
interactions, subbasin subsurface configuration, and the importance of
the riparian system. The main objectives of border studies in this
region are to: 1) Characterize natural-resource conditions, in
particular subbasin analysis on the Mexican side of the border.
Investigations would include characterization of the geologic framework
necessary for ground-water resource assessment, and identification of
possible sources of acid drainage within the watersheds; and 2) Partner
with México to provide binational aerial photography, fully integrated
geospatial data, and watershed delineation at high resolution using a
geographical information system (GIS).

### El Paso-Ciudad Juarez Metropolitan Area (Images 33_37 and 33_38 provide coverage of this area)

Issues and objectives: The El Paso-Ciudad Juarez metropolitan area is
another fast growing area of the border region. The critical
natural-resource issue is the availability of water. While the
conjunctive use of ground and surface water is satisfying immediate
water needs, additional demands imposed by projected growth will exceed
the capacity of the area's limited water resources. Ground-water
withdrawals have resulted in land-surface subsidence. Other issues
include untreated industrial and municipal wastewater and polluted
runoff. The need to define and predict natural-resource limitations
requires some basic objectives including: 1) Characterization of the
effects of urbanization on the limited natural habitats; 2)
Characterization of the mechanics of land-surface subsidence associated
with ground-water withdrawals; 3) Development of binationally compatible
digital geospatial information systems; and 4) Characterization of
regional hydrology including pollutant reservoirs and transport
modeling.

### Big Bend National Park and Adjacent Protected Areas (Images 30_39, 30_40, 31_39, and 31_40 provide coverage of this area)

Issues and objectives: The United States and México have designated a
significant portion of the Chihuahuan Desert landscape for protection of
natural resources. These areas include Big Bend National Park, Rio
Grande Wild and Scenic River, Big Bend Ranch State Natural Area, Black
Gap Wildlife Management Area, and Santa Elena Cañon and Maderas del
Carmen Protected Areas. Resource managers in the area are in need of
additional scientific information and geospatial data to optimize their
resource protection efforts. Limited water availability and impaired
water and air quality are primary concerns. Additionally, information
pertaining to the status of biological resources within this area is
quite limited. The primary research objectives are to provide scientific
information on regional resources for management of protected areas
including conduct regional coal assessments and characterization and
assessment of mineral resource potential.

# Rio Grande River below Falcon International Dam (Images 26_41 and 26_42 provide coverage of this area)

Issues and objectives: The Rio Grande watershed below Falcon
International Dam, including the Arroyo Colorado, is one of the fastest
growing areas of the border region. The critical natural-resource issue
in the area is the availability of water for satisfying human and
agricultural needs while providing sufficient streamflows to maintain
and enhance stream and associated riparian habitats. Available
streamflows of the Rio Grande are fully allocated under international
treaty. Minimum instream-flow volumes and peaks necessary to support
indigenous species and riparian habitat have not been determined. Also
of critical concern is the quality of water and the effects of
contaminants on species, habitats, and use of the resource. Polluted
urban runoff, undertreated industrial and municipal wastewater,
agricultural practices, and coal mining are other issues. The main
objective for this region is to characterize watershed conditions,
define instream flow requirements, and develop tools to effectively
manage complex watersheds for the benefit of both humans and indigenous
species.

South Padre Island --Laguna Madre de Tamaulipas ***(Images 26_41 and
26_42 provide coverage of this area)***

The Tamaulipan ecosystem extends throughout Texas and northeastern
México and includes a host of protected areas such as the Lower Rio
Grande, Laguna Atascosa and Santa Ana Natural Wildlife Refuges, Padre
Island National Seashore, as well as state and privately- owned habitat
management areas. The Rio Grande River system is the major watershed
within this ecosystem and is essential to the survival of resident and
migratory fauna and existing flora; in addition, the narrow riparian
corridor of the Rio Grande provides habitat for endangered species and
nesting for wintering birds, among them unique species of neotropical
affinities. The vast Laguna Madre is one of only two large hypersaline
lagoons in the world and therefore hosts a unique biodiversity within
its productive estuaries that maintains a base for an important
commercial and recreational fishing industry. Monitoring programs have
recently been initiated in the Gulf of México that addresses coastal and
shoreline erosion, freshwater inflow, habitat degradation, aquatic
resources, nutrient enrichment, public health, marine debris, and toxic
substances and pesticides. A constant awareness of the status of western
Gulf of Mexico natural resources will require increased
multidisciplinary information exchange.

**IMAGE CHARACTERISTICS**

These satellite images were produced from data acquired by the Thematic
Mapper (TM) scanner of the Landsat 4 and Landsat 5 satellites (Table 1).
These images have been projected to the Universal Transverse Mercator
(UTM) grid so that they can be compared directly with U.S. Geological
Survey 1:100,000-scale topographic maps and Instituto Nacional de
Estadistica Geografia e Informatica 1:50,000-scale maps of the
Borderlands region. Post spacing (the smallest area for which data are
collected) is 30 m by 30 m (98 ft by 98 ft). However, each data file has
been digitally resampled to 28.5 m by 28.5 m pixels so that 5 pixels on
the satellite image represents an area of one acre on the Earth's
surface. The area represented by each image file is approximately 33,000
km^2^ (12,700 mi^2^).

![](media/image3.jpeg){width="6.167361111111111in"
height="4.204166666666667in"}

**Figure 2.** Approximate locations of the centers of the TM scenes

The approximate locations of the centers of the TM scenes are indicated
in [Figure 2](../misc/Index.jpg) above. Scenes indicated with a red
circle are included in this dataset. Half filled circles indicate scenes
shifted from the normal scene center.

**Table 1.** Landsat TM scenes of the Borderlands region

(\* scenes shifted south 20% to 60%)

  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  PATH       ROW\*   SHIFT   DATE       AREA                              SCENE ID             UTM
                                                                                               ZONE
  ---------- ------- ------- ---------- --------------------------------- -------------------- ------
  **Image                               Eastern border                                         
  files                                                                                        
  included                                                                                     
  on CD 1**                                                                                    

  26         41      (50%)   11/28/84   Corpus Cristi                     LT5026040008433310   14

  26         42      (50%)   11/28/84   Brownsville                       LT5026041008433310   14

  28         40      (20%)   7/14/94    Monterrey                         LT5028040009419510   14

  28         41      (20%)   7/14/94    Monterrey                         LT5028041009419510   14

  30         39              4/20/86    Big Bend (E)                      LT5030039008611010   13

  30         40              4/20/86    Big Bend (E)                      LT5030040008611010   13

  31         39              4/14/87    Big Bend (W)                      LT5031039008710410   13

  31         40              5/2/88     Big Bend (W)                      LT5031040008812310   13

                                                                                               

  **Image                               Central border                                         
  files                                                                                        
  included                                                                                     
  on CD 2**                                                                                    

  33         37      (60%)   5/6/96     El Paso-Ciudad Juarez             LT5033037009615810   13

  33         38      (60%)   5/6/96     El Paso-Juarez                    LT5033038009615810   13

  34         38              6/13/84    SW New Mexico                     LT5034038008416510   13

  34         39              11/4/84    NW Chihuahua                      LT5034039008430910   12

  35         38              6/20/84    SE Arizona (Sierra Vista)         LT5035038008417210   12

  35         38              6/24/97    SE Arizona (Sierra Vista)         LT5035038009717510   12

  35         39              6/24/97    NE Sonora (Cananea)               LT5035039009717510   12

  36         38              10/2/96    Tucson - Nogales                  LT5036038009627610   12

                                                                                               

  **Image                               Western border                                         
  files                                                                                        
  included                                                                                     
  on CD 3**                                                                                    

  36         39              10/2/96    [NW Sonora](../THMBNLS/3639.jpg)  LT5036039009627610   12

  37         37      (60%)   5/10/93    [Southcentral Arizona             LT5037037009313010   12
                                        (Ajo)](../THMBNLS/3737.jpg)                            

  37         38              6/18/84    [Pinacate](../THMBNLS/3738.jpg)   LT5037038008417010   12

  38         37              5/2/92     [SW Arizona                       LT5037038009212310   11
                                        (Yuma)](../THMBNLS/3837.jpg)                           

  38         38              12/6/91    [Colorado River                   LT5038038009134010   11
                                        Delta](../THMBNLS/3838.jpg)                            

  39         37              1/14/92    [Salton Sea -                     LT5039037009201410   11
                                        Mexicali](../THMBNLS/3937.jpg)                         

  39         38              10/23/90   [Baja California                  LT5039038009029610   11
                                        Norte](../THMBNLS/3938.jpg)                            

  40         37              12/3/82    [San Diego -                      LT4040037008233710   11
                                        Tijuana](../THMBNLS/4037.jpg)                          
  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Landsat 5 satellite has a circular, near-polar orbit with a repeat
cycle of 16 days and a nominal altitude of 705.3 km (438 miles). Each
orbit takes 98.9 minutes. The orbit is sun-synchronous and is timed so
that the satellite passes over the equator at 9:37 AM local mean sun
time on the daylight (north to south) portion of each orbital pass.
Image data for the Borderlands region are collected by the Landsat 5 at
about 9:30 AM mean local sun time.

Landsat 5's Thematic Mapper scanner collects data in a continuous stream
along a 185-km (115 mile) wide path as the satellite moves from north to
south along the daylight portion of its orbit. The TM scanner measures
light intensity in the visible and infrared parts of the electromagnetic
spectrum. Measurements are collected from seven broad spectral bands
(Table 2), three nearly contiguous bands spanning most of the visible
part of the spectrum (Bands 1, 2 and 3) and four more widely spaced
bands covering critical portions of the infrared spectrum (Bands 4
through 7).

**Table 2.** Characteristics of the seven Landsat Thematic Mapper
spectral bands

BAND WAVELENGTH CHARACTERISTICS

1 0.45 - 0.52 (visible blue) maximum water penetration; minimum
atmospheric haze penetration; high reflectivity from clay

2 0.52 - 0.60 (visible green) relatively high reflectivity from
chlorophyll (living vegetation)

3 0.63 - 0.69 (visible red) low reflectivity from chlorophyll (living
vegetation); high reflectivity form ferrous iron oxide

4 0.76 - 0.90 (near infrared) high reflectivity from chlorophyll (living
vegetation); very low penetration or reflectivity from water

5 1.55 - 1.75 (middle infrared) discrimination of soil and vegetation
moisture; very low penetration or reflectivity from water

6 10.4 - 12.5 (thermal infrared) thermal mapping; discrimination of soil
moisture

7 2.08 - 2.35 (middle infrared) discrimination of rock types including
carbonates, clays and hydrothermal alteration

The Landsat TM images included on these CD-ROMs are digital color
composites of middle, near infrared and visible light derived from TM
bands 7, 4 and 2. Although the infrared portion of the electromagnetic
spectrum lies beyond the range of human eyesight (and therefore commonly
emphasizes features that are invisible to the human eye), this
combination of infrared and visible light generally produces a quite
natural looking image. Vegetation appears as various shades of green and
yellow green, rocks and soils commonly appear as shades of dark red to
yellow brown and blue-gray to gray, water appears as dark blue, and
man-made features appear as shades of purple, gray and blue-gray.
However, these color relations are only generally valid. Each data pixel
is the summation of light reflected from all of the materials covering
the surface of the area represented by that pixel (almost 10,000 ft^2^).
These materials may include growing vegetation, leaf litter, bare soil,
rock outcrops, and man-made structures. Variable soil moisture and
shadows also add to the complexity of the signal. What is represented on
the image is the average of all of these effects so that there is no
simple conversion of image colors to surface materials.

File Specifications

*Format*: JPEG, using minimum compression, RGB color

*Orientation*: Map orientation

*Projection*: Universal Transverse Mercator

*Pixel size*: 28.5 by 28.5 meters (resampled by cubic convolution from
30 by 30 meters)

*Processing*: Each image file has been enhanced for final viewing and
(or) printing (including contrast stretching, saturation enhancement,
and image sharpening)

Image Characteristics

*Projection*: The Landsat TM full-scene images provided on the
Borderlands CD-ROMs have been projected to the standard Universal
Transverse Mercator (UTM) grid. UTM zone varies according to the
location of the image.

*Orientation*: The Landsat TM full-scene images provided on the
Borderlands CD-ROMs have been rotated to a standard map orientation
(i.e. The 'top' of each image is oriented north).

*Scale*: The Landsat TM full-scene images provided on the Borderlands
CD-ROMs are full resolution images. Pixel size for each image is 28.5 X
28.5 meters. Changing the number of pixels per cm (or inch) on the
display or print can vary the display or print scale of these images.
For example: (1) a display or print resolution of 35.087 pixels per cm
is equivalent to a scale of 1:100,000 (1000 m per cm); (2) a display or
print resolution of 87.7175 pixels per cm is equivalent to a scale of
1:250,000 (2500 m per cm) etc.

**GEOREGISTRATION PROCEDURE FOR LANDSAT TM IMAGES OF THE BORDERLANDS
REGION**

Image Registration

The characteristics of the Landsat TM Borderlands images were selected
to facilitate coregistration with standard UTM projected map data. A
"world" file containing georeference information has been provided for
most images. These files have a ".jgw" file name extension and are
recognized by several GIS software packages. This extension allows the
image to open directly in the GIS in the proper geospatial orientation
(UTM projection only). If your software does not recognize the "world"
file, these images can be coregistered in two simple steps: (1)
adjusting either the image or map scale so that the image scale equals
the map scale; and (2) performing a simple X-Y shift of either image or
map to achieve coregistration.

To facilitate further coregistration of those images located at least
partly within the United States, three sets of files are included on
each CD-ROM:

\(1\) The standard U.S. Geological Survey Eros Data Center (NLAPS)
metadata files (.TXT format) for each image. These files document the
pixel size, image orientation, map projection parameters, and nominal
coordinates (latitude-longitude) for the corner points and center point
of each image.

\(2\) Full-resolution location images (500 X 500 pixels in size) showing
the exact positions of easily-identified reference locations on each
Landsat TM scene. At least 4 reference locations (and location images)
are provided for each Landsat TM scene that is located at least partly
within the United States. On each location image, the exact position of
the reference location is marked with a red cross.

\(3\) A reference location table (MS Word format) listing the latitude
and longitude of each reference location with a nominal precision of
0.001 minute of arc.

Procedure for Image Registration

\(1\) Open (display) the Landsat TM scene to be registered.

\(2\) Open (display) the reference location images for that scene.

\(3\) Locate the precise reference locations on the Landsat TM scene by
visual comparison with the reference location images.

\(4\) Refer to the reference location table to determine the latitude
and longitude for each reference location.

\(5\) Use the reference location positions and latitude-longitude
coordinates to register the Landsat TM scene.

PAT ROW LOCATION LATITUDE (N) LONGITUDE (W)

26 41 1 27^o^ 48.712' 97^o^ 23.748'\
2 27^o^ 30.474' 97^o^ 48.501'\
3 26^o^ 29.444' 97^o^ 54.774'\
4 26^o^ 56.080' 97^o^ 28.241'\
5 28^o^ 01.023' 97^o^ 10.388'

26 42 1 26^o^ 04.694 97^o^ 12.348'\
2 26^o^ 11.902' 98^o^ 12.190'\
2a 26^o^ 08.886' 98^o^ 04.524'\
3 26^o^ 19.212' 97^o^ 27.267'\
4 26^o^ 29.984' 98^o^ 02.911'

28 40 1 28^o^ 42.546' 100^o^ 28.156'\
2 28^o^ 10.847' 100^o^ 04.783'\
3 29^o^ 14.026' 99^o^ 47.579'\
4 28^o^ 26.635' 99^o^ 14.952'\
5 27^o^ 45.900' 99^o^ 26.000'

30 39 1 30^o^ 55.855' 103^o^ 04.880'\
2 30^o^ 54.030' 103^o^ 03.317'\
3 30^o^ 12.375' 103^o^ 10.924'\
4 29^o^ 35.966' 103^o^ 08.578'\
5 29^o^ 54.220' 101^o^ 48.325'\
6 29^o^ 48.083' 101^o^ 48.318'\
7 30^o^ 43.683' 101^o^ 33.327'

30 40 1 29^o^ 35.966' 103^o^ 08.578'\
2 29^o^ 10.415' 102^o^ 57.041'\
3 29^o^ 08.900' 103^o^ 00.500'\
4 29^o^ 07.275' 103^o^ 31.470'\
5 29^o^ 48.266' 103^o^ 34.574'

31 39 1 30^o^ 55.855' 103^o^ 04.880'\
2 30^o^ 54.030' 103^o^ 03.317'\
3 30^o^ 23.218' 103^o^ 40.888'\
4 30^o^ 12.375' 103^o^ 10.924'\
5 30^o^ 22.178' 104^o^ 00.954'\
6 29^o^ 58.984' 104^o^ 40.805'\
7 31^o^ 03.712' 104^o^ 46.947'

33 40 1 32^o^ 20.877' 106^o^ 46.187'\
2 32^o^ 52.469' 105^o^ 57.855'\
3 32^o^ 14.384' 107^o^ 22.666'\
4 32^o^ 52.764' 107^o^ 17.837'\
5 31^o^ 31.173' 106^o^ 07.867'

34 38 1 32^o^ 14.253' 108^o^ 57.248'\
2 31^o^ 52.248' 109^o^ 02.120'\
3 32^o^ 22.904' 108^o^ 42.496'\
4 32^o^ 17.335' 107^o^ 45.656'\
5 31^o^ 49.693' 107^o^ 38.437'\
6 31^o^ 22.585' 109^o^ 12.680'

35 38 1 31^o^ 58.280' 110^o^ 19.660'\
2 31^o^ 58.574' 110^o^ 19.004'\
3 31^o^ 40.772' 110^o^ 39.354'\
4 31^o^ 22.807' 110^o^ 12.423'\
5 31^o^ 43.408 110^o^ 11.615'\
6 32^o^ 14.253' 108^o^ 57.248'\
7 31^o^ 52.245' 109^o^ 02.112'\
8 31^o^ 21.142' 109^o^ 34.770'

36 38 1 32^o^ 04.613' 111^o^ 18.714'\
2 31^o^ 55.269' 111^o^ 53.394'\
3 31^o^ 25.818' 110^o^ 57.891'\
4 31^o^ 40.766' 110^o^ 39.346'\
5 32^o^ 22.853' 111^o^ 10.188'\
6 31^o^ 58.280' 110^o^ 19.660'\
7 31^o^ 58.574' 110^o^ 19.004'

37 38 1 31^o^ 52.817' 112^o^ 49.035'\
2 32^o^ 16.068' 112^o^ 44.342'\
3 32^o^ 56.397' 112^o^ 44.050'\
4 32^o^ 09.593' 112^o^ 06.696'\
5 32^o^ 48.040' 113^o^ 32.453'\
6 31^o^ 48.267' 112^o^ 18.092'\
7 32^o^ 45.778' 111^o^ 45.442'\
8 32^o^ 27.180' 112^o^ 51.708'

38 37 1 33^o^ 05.141' 114^o^ 54.663'\
2 32^o^ 59.857' 115^o^ 04.254'\
3 32^o^ 43.706' 114^o^ 37.117'\
4 32^o^ 45.667' 114^o^ 24.743'\
5 32^o^ 46.286' 114^o^ 23.333'\
6 32^o^ 41.618' 113^o^ 57.196'\
7 32^o^ 48.040' 113^o^ 32.453'\
8 33^o^ 36.276' 114^o^ 31.854'\
9 33^o^ 43.404' 113^o^ 42.161'

38 38 1 32^o^ 30.967' 114^o^ 45.909'\
2 32^o^ 35.780' 114^o^ 45.646'\
3 32^o^ 30.660' 114^o^ 41.904'\
4 32^o^ 23.701' 114^o^ 06.377'\
5 32^o^ 16.746' 113^o^ 52.574'

39 37 1 32^o^ 59.857' 115^o^ 04.254'\
2 33^o^ 42.619' 115^o^ 24.017'\
3 33^o^ 07.545' 115^o^ 51.312'\
4 32^o^ 44.040' 115^o^ 59.641'\
5 33^o^ 41.369' 116^o^ 24.156'

40 37 1 32^o^ 36.596' 116^o^ 41.859'\
2 32^o^ 34.978' 116^o^ 37.220'\
3 32^o^ 45.573' 116^o^ 29.124'\
4 32^o^ 44.055' 116^o^ 28.793'\
5 33^o^ 44.875' 116^o^ 53.925'\
6 33^o^ 15.390' 116^o^ 22.495'\
7 33^o^ 27.513' 117^o^ 41.471'\
8 33^o^ 29.389' 117^o^ 39.970'

::: Definition-Term
\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\--
:::

#### BIBLIOGRAPHY

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1996, U.S./México Border XXI
Program Framework Document: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Report,
EPA 160-R-96-003 \[Variously Paged\]

**METADATA FOR THEMATIC MAPPER IMAGES**

Identification_Information:

Citation:

Citation_Information:

Originator: U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) EROS Data Center (EDC

Publication_Date: 2000

Title: Processed Thematic Mapper satellite imagery for selected areas
within the U.S.-Mexico borderlands

Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: remote-sensing image

Publication_Information:

Publication_Place: Menlo Park, CA

Publisher: U.S. Geological Survey

Description:

Abstract: The passage of the North American Trade Agreement (NAFTA),
establishment of the Border Environmental Cooperation Commission as well
as the EPA U.S./Mexico Border XXI Program has focused attention to the
environmental social-cultural, and economic conditions in the United
States-Mexico frontier and to the enhanced necessity of a binational,
transborder approach in addressing problems. Towards this end, this
U.S.-Mexico borderlands Thematic Mapper selection is designed to be
utilized as fundamental part of a basic geographic information system
database for natural resource, environmental, and land-management
studies.

Purpose: To provide processed satellite images of key areas along the
U.S.-Mexico border for use in a broad spectrum of studies. Landsat data
have been used by government, commercial, industrial, civilian, and
educational communities in the U.S. and worldwide. They are being used
to support a wide range of applications in such areas as global change
research, agriculture, forestry, geology, resources management,
geography, mapping, water quality, and oceanography. Landsat data have
potential applications for monitoring the conditions of the Earth's land
surface

Time_Period_of_Content:

Time_Period_Information:

Range_of_Dates/Times:

Beginning_Date: 1984

Ending_Date: 1997

Currentness_Reference: ground condition

Status:

Progress: complete

Maintenance_and_Update_Frequency: None

Spatial_Domain:

Bounding_Coordinates:

West_Bounding_Coordinate: 118.00

East_Bounding_Coordinate: 97.00

North_Bounding_Coordinate: 34.00

South_Bounding_Coordinate: 27.00

Keywords:

Theme:

Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: GCMD Parameter Keywords

Theme_Keyword: EARTH SCIENCE

Theme_Keyword: RADIANCE OR IMAGERY

Theme_Keyword: INFRARED WAVELENGTHS

Theme_Keyword: INFRARED IMAGERY

Theme_Keyword: VISIBLE WAVELENGTHS

Theme_Keyword: VISIBLE IMAGERY

Theme_Keyword: DAAC

Theme_Keyword: EDC

Theme_Keyword: EROS

Theme_Keyword: IMAGERY

Theme_Keyword: LANDSAT

Theme_Keyword: RADIANCE

Theme_Keyword: REMOTE SENSING

Theme_Keyword: SATELLITE

Theme_Keyword: SPACE IMAGING EOSAT

Theme_Keyword: THEMATIC MAPPER

Theme_Keyword: TM

Theme_Keyword: USGS

Place:

Place_Keyword_Thesaurus: GCMD Location Keywords

Place_Keyword: NORTH AMERICA

Access_Constraints: none

Use_Constraints: none

Point_of_Contact:

Contact_Information:

Contact_Person_Primary:

Contact_Person: Floyd Gray

Contact_Organization: U.S. Geological Survey

Contact_Position: Technical Contact

Contact_Address:

Address_Type: mailing and physical address

Address: ENR Building, 520 N Park Ave

City: Tucson

State_or_Province: AZ

Postal_Code: 85719-5035

Country: USA

Contact_Voice_Telephone: 520-670-5582

Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: fgray@usgs.gov

Contact_Instructions: None

Security_Information:

Security_Classification_System: None

Security_Classification: Unclassified

Security_Handling_Description: None

Native_Data_Set_Environment: UNIX and PC

Cross_Reference:

Citation_Information:

Originator: U.S. Geological Survey

Publication_Date: 2000

Title: Land Satellite (LANDSAT) Multispectral Scanner (MSS)

Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: remote-sensing image

Publication_Information:

Publication_Place: Sioux Falls, SD

Publisher: U.S. Geological Survey

Other_Citation_Details: The concept of a civilian Earth resources
satellite was conceived in the Department of Interior in the mid-1960's.
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) embarked on an
initiative to develop and launch the first Earth monitoring satellite to
meet the needs of resource managers and Earth scientists. The USGS
entered into a partnership with NASA in the early 1970's to assume
responsibility for the archive management and distribution of Landsat
data products. On July 23, 1972, NASA launched the first in a series of
satellites designed to provide repetitive global coverage of the Earth's
land masses.

Online_Linkage: \<URL:http://edc.usgs.gov/nsdi/landsat_mss/ph1crit.htm\>

Cross_Reference:

Citation_Information:

Originator: U.S. Geological Survey EROS Data Center

Publication_Date: 1972

Title: LGSOWG Landsat Multispectral Scanner (MSS) Imagery

Edition: 1.0

Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: remote-sensing image

Publication_Information:

Publication_Place: Sioux Falls SD

Publisher: U.S. Geological Survey

Other_Citation_Details: The Global Land Information System (GLIS) and
the EOSDIS Information Management System (IMS) are interactive query
systems providing information on this data set.

Online_Linkage:
[URL:http://edc.usgs.gov/Webglis/glisbin/guide.pl/glis/hyper/guide/lgsowg_mss](url:http://edc.usgs.gov/Webglis/glisbin/guide.pl/glis/hyper/guide/lgsowg_mss)

Data_Quality_Information:

Attribute_Accuracy:

Attribute_Accuracy_Report: The identification of features is provided by
the distinct electromagnetic energy it emits, reflects, or otherwise
transmits. This is called the spectral signature. Other signatures are
tone (lightness or darkness), texture (surface roughness or smoothness),
pattern, shadow, shape and size are as important. Thus, through the use
of Thematic Mapper, such elements as water features, soils, and
vegetation can be identified and distinguished from each other. The
wavelength range for the TM sensor is from the visible (blue), through
the mid-IR, into the thermal-IR portion of the electromagnetic spectrum.
Sixteen detectors for the visible and mid-IR wavelength bands in the TM
sensor provide 16 scan lines on each active scan. Four detectors for the
thermal-IR band provide four scan lines on each active scan. The TM
sensor has a spatial resolution of 30 m for the visible, near-IR, and
mid-IR wavelengths and a spatial resolution of 120 m for the thermal-IR
band.

Logical_Consistency_Report: All of the Landsats have been in
sun-synchronous orbits with equatorial crossing times ranging from 8:30
a.m. for Landsat 1, 9 a.m. for Landsat 2, to 9:45 a.m. for Landsat 5.
The Landsat system provides for global data between 81 degrees north
latitude and 81 degrees south latitude.

Completeness_Report: Images provided by this report cover selected areas
of the U.S.-Mexico border zone.

Horizontal_Positional_Accuracy:

Horizontal_Positional_Accuracy_Report: The TM sensor has a spatial
resolution of 30 meters for the visible, near-IR, and mid-IR wavelengths
and a spatial resolution of 120 meters for the thermal-IR band.

Lineage:

Source_Information:

Source_Citation:

Citation_Information:

Originator: U.S. Geological Survey

Publication_Date: 19720101

Title: Land Satellite Multispectral Scanner (Landsat MSS)

Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: Remote-sensing image

Publication_Information:

Publication_Place: Sioux Falls, SD

Publisher: U.S. Geological Survey

Other_Citation_Details: Earth scientists. The USGS entered into a
partnership with NASA in the early 1970's to assume responsibility for
the archive management and distribution of Landsat data products. On
July 23, 1972, NASA launched the first in a series of satellites
designed to provide repetitive global coverage of the Earth's land
masses. Designated initially as the Earth Resources Technology
Satellite-A (ERTS-A), it used a Nimbus-type platform that was modified
to carry sensor systems and data relay equipment. When operational orbit
was achieved, it was designated ERTS-1. The satellite continued to
function beyond its designed life expectancy of 1 year and finally
ceased to operate on January 6, 1978, more than 5 years after its launch
date. The second in this series of Earth resources satellites
(designated ERTS-B) was launched January 22, 1975. It was renamed
Landsat 2 by NASA, which also renamed ERTS-1 to Landsat 1. Three
additional Landsats were launched in 1978, 1982, and 1984 (Landsats 3,
4, and 5 respectively). Each successive satellite system had improved
sensor and communications capabilities.

Online_Linkage: \<URL: http://edc.usgs.gov/glis/glis.html\> or
\<URL:http://edc.usgs.gov/landdaac/landdaac.html\>

Type_of_Source_Media: cartridge tape

Source_Time_Period_of_Content:

Time_Period_Information:

Range_of_Dates/Times:

Beginning_Date: 19820716

Ending_Date: Present

Source_Currentness_Reference: ground condition

Source_Citation_Abbreviation: digital

Source_Contribution: Remote sensing imagery along with ancillary data.

Process_Step:

Process_Description: These images were processed on a Macintosh computer
in Adobe Photoshop. Band selection and color balance were chosen to
provide images useful for a broad spectrum of application.

Source_Used_Citation_Abbreviation: TM

Process_Date: 1999

Source_Produced_Citation_Abbreviation: Landsat MSS

Spatial_Data_Organization_Information:

Indirect_Spatial_Reference: A Landsat 4 and 5 TM scene has an
instantaneous field of view (IFOV) of 30 square meters in bands 1
through 5 and band 7, band 6 has an IFOV of 120 square meters on the
ground. The resolution for the TM sensor is shown below: Landsats 4-5
Resolution (meters) Band 1 30 Band 2 30 Band 3 30 Band 4 30 Band 5 30
Band 6 120 Band 7 30

Direct_Spatial_Reference_Method: Raster

Raster_Object_Information:

Raster_Object_Type: Pixel

Entity_and_Attribute_Information:

Overview_Description:

Entity_and_Attribute_Overview: These processed Landsat satellite images
provide high-resolution multispectral coverage of selected areas. The
characteristics of the MSS and TM bands were selected to maximize their
capabilities for detecting and monitoring different types of Earth
resources. For example, TM band 2 can detect green reflectance from
healthy vegetation, and band 3 of TM is designed for detecting
chlorophyll absorption in vegetation. TM band 4 is ideal for near-IR
reflectance peaks in healthy green vegetation and for detecting
water-land interfaces. Wavelength of TM band 1 can penetrate water for
bathymetric mapping along coastal areas and is useful for
soil-vegetation differentiation and for distinguishing forest types. The
two mid-IR red bands on TM (bands 5 and 7) are useful for vegetation and
soil moisture studies, and discriminating between rock and mineral
types. The thermal-IR band on TM (band 6) is designed to assist in
thermal mapping, and for soil moisture and vegetation studies. TM Bands
7, 4, and 2 have been combined to make false-color composite images.
This band combination makes vegetation appear as shades of red, brighter
reds indicating more vigorously growing vegetation. Soils with no or
sparse vegetation will range from white (sands) to greens or browns
depending on moisture and organic matter content. Water bodies will
appear blue. Deep, clear water will be dark blue to black in color,
while sediment-laden or shallow waters will appear lighter in color.
Urban areas will appear blue-gray in color. Clouds and snow will be
bright white. They are usually distinguishable from each other by the
shadows associated with the clouds. Exposed bedrock will appear in a
wide range of colors depending on the composition and other factors.

Entity_and_Attribute_Detail_Citation: U.S. Department of the Interior,
1992, Department of the Interior, United States Geological Survey.

Distribution_Information:

Distributor:

Contact_Information:

Contact_Organization_Primary:

Contact_Organization: U.S. Geological Survey

Contact_Position: Customer Services Representative

Contact_Address:

Address_Type: mailing and physical address

Address: Open-File Reports, Box 252

City: Denver

State_or_Province: CO

Postal_Code: 80225

Country: USA

Contact_Voice_Telephone: 303-202-4200

Contact_Facsimile_Telephone: 303-202-4695

Contact_Instructions: None

Resource_Description: OF Report 00-309

Distribution_Liability: Although these data have been processed
successfully on a computer system at the U.S. Geological Survey, U.S.
Department of the Interior, no warranty expressed or implied is made by
the Geological Survey regarding the utility of the data on any other
system, nor shall the act of distribution constitute any such warranty.
The Geological Survey will warrant the delivery of this product in
computer-readable format. and will offer appropriate adjustment of
credit when the product is determined unreadable by correctly adjusted
computer input peripherals, or when the physical medium is delivered in
damaged condition. Requests for adjustments of credit must be made
within 90 days from the date of this shipment from the ordering site.

Metadata_Reference_Information:

Metadata_Date: 19991000

Metadata_Review_Date: 20000421

Metadata_Contact:

Contact_Information:

Contact_Organization_Primary:

Contact_Organization: U.S. Geological Survey

Contact_Person: Robert Miller

Contact_Address:

Address_Type: mailing and physical address

Address: U.S. Geological Survey, MS 901

City: Menlo Park

State_or_Province: CA

Postal_Code: 94025

Country: USA

Contact_Voice_Telephone: 650 329-5407

Contact_Instructions: None

Metadata_Standard_Name: Content Standards for Digital Geospatial
Metadata

Metadata_Standard_Version: 1.0

Metadata_Time_Convention: local time

Metadata_Access_Constraints: None

Metadata_Use_Constraints: None

Metadata_Security_Information:

Metadata_Security_Classification_System: None

Metadata_Security_Classification: Unclassified

Metadata_Security_Handling_Description: None

[^1]: ^\*^ U.S. Geological Survey Border Strategy Team includes Denny
    Buckler, Ken Osborn, John Klein, Floyd Gray, Lloyd Woosley, Terry
    Rees, and Diana Papoulias