Long Term Resource Monitoring Program

Program Report

95-P008-7

Long Term Resource Monitoring Program

Standard Operating Procedures:

Quality Control for Cartographic

Activities

May 1997
The Environmental Management Technical Center issues LTRMP Program Reports

to provide Long Term Resource Monitoring Program partners

with programmatic documentation, procedures manuals, and annual status reports.

Environmental Management

Technical Center

CENTER DIRECTOR

Robert L. Delaney

GEOSPATIAL APPLICATIONS ACTING DIRECTOR

Thomas W. Owens

INFORMATION AND TECHNOLOGY

SERVICES DIRECTOR

Norman W. Hildrum

REPORT EDITOR

Deborah K. Harris

Cover graphic by Mi Ae Lipe-Butterbrodt

Mention of trade names or commercial products does not constitute endorsement

or recommendation for use by the U.S. Geological Survey, U.S. Department of the Interior.

Printed on recycled paper 
Long Term Resource Monitoring Program

Standard Operating Procedures:

Quality Control for Cartographic Activities

by

Thomas W. Owens, Kevin Hop, Larry Robinson, 1 2 1

Lynne DeHaan, and Tammy Fancher 2 3

U.S. Geological Survey 1

Environmental Management Technical Center 

575 Lester Avenue

Onalaska, Wisconsin 54650

Saint Mary's University of Minnesota 2

700 Terrace Heights

Winona, Minnesota 55987

Johnson Controls World Services, Inc. 3

Midcontinent Ecological Science Center

4512 McMurray Avenue

Fort Collins, Colorado 80525

May 1997

U.S. Geological Survey

Environmental Mangement Technical Center

575 Lester Avenue

Onalaska, Wisconsin 54650
Suggested citation:

Owens, T. W., K. Hop, L. Robinson, L. DeHaan, and T. Fancher. 1997. Long Term Resource Monitoring

Program standard operating procedures: Quality control for cartographic activities. U.S. Geological

Survey, Environmental Management Technical Center, Onalaska, Wisconsin, May 1997. LTRMP

95-P008-7. 10 pp. + Appendixes A–F

Additional copies of this report may be obtained from the National Technical Information Service, 5285

Port Royal Road, Springfield, Virginia 22161 (1-800-553-6847 or 703-487-4650).
iii

Contents

Page

Preface ............................................................ v

Abstract ............................................................ 1

Introduction ......................................................... 1

Photointerpretation .................................................... 1

Quality Standards ................................................. 1

Correctness of Interpretation ...................................... 3

Technical Review .............................................. 3

Zoom Transfer Scope Quality Control ..................................... 4

Quality Standards ................................................. 4

Data Automation ..................................................... 5

Command Explanation .............................................. 5

Quality Standards ................................................. 6

Checking Line Work (by Another Digitizer or GIS Coordinator) .................. 6

Checking Attributes (by Another Digitizer or GIS Coordinator) .................. 7

Final Quality Control (by GIS Project Coordinator) ........................... 7

Stereo Zoom Transfer Scope Quality Control ................................ 8

Quality Standards ................................................. 8

Digitizing and Background Coverage Editing ................................ 8

Final Coverage Editing ................................................. 8

Aquatic Areas Quality Control ........................................... 9

Quality Standards ................................................. 9

References .......................................................... 9

Appendix A. Photointerpretation Production Log ........................... A-1

Appendix B. 1989 Pool 10 Field Verification ............................. B-1

Appendix C. LTRMP Vegetation Classification Photointerpreter's List .......... C-1

Appendix D. Zoom Transfer Production Log .............................. D-1
iv

Appendix E. Map Information Sheet ..................................... E-1

Appendix F. Stereo ZTS Information Sheet ................................ F-1

Figure

Figure. Example of minimum mapping unit guide ............................ 2
v

Preface

The Long Term Resource Monitoring Program (LTRMP) was authorized under the Water

Resources Development Act of 1986 (Public Law 99-662) as an element of the U.S. Army

Corps of Engineers' Environmental Management Program. The LTRMP is being

implemented by the Environmental Management Technical Center, a U.S. Geological Survey

science center, in cooperation with the five Upper Mississippi River System (UMRS) States

of Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, and Wisconsin. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

provides guidance and has overall Program responsibility. The mode of operation and

respective roles of the agencies are outlined in a 1988 Memorandum of Agreement.

The UMRS encompasses the commercially navigable reaches of the Upper Mississippi

River, as well as the Illinois River and navigable portions of the Kaskaskia, Black, St. Croix,

and Minnesota Rivers. Congress has declared the UMRS to be both a nationally significant

ecosystem and a nationally significant commercial navigation system. The mission of the

LTRMP is to provide decision makers with information for maintaining the UMRS as a

sustainable large river ecosystem given its multiple-use character. The long-term goals of the

Program are to understand the system, determine resource trends and effects, develop

management alternatives, manage information, and develop useful products.

The strategy to develop and adopt standard operating procedures is included in the

LTRMP Operating Plan (USFWS 1993) as strategy 4.1.1, Develop and Update Information

Management Guidance Documents under Objective 4.1, Provide Direction for Automation

Activities. This report was developed with funding provided by the Long Term Resource

Monitoring Program.
Long Term Resource Monitoring Program

Standard Operating Procedures:

Quality Control for Cartographic Activities

by

Thomas W. Owens, Kevin Hop, Larry Robinson, Lynne DeHaan, and Tammy Fancher

Abstract

The Environmental Management Technical Center has produced a series of standard operating procedure (SOP)

manuals detailing the steps in producing spatial data sets to meet quality standards. The present SOP manual

is a continuation of that series detailing the quality control (QC) standards and procedures taken at each

production step to ensure that the data are correct and can be passed to the next stage in the production process.

Adherence to the SOPs detailed in the other manuals and to the QC procedures discussed here ensure that

errors are kept to a minimum and that the data are reliable for monitoring and research.

Introduction

Quality is a "measure of how closely a good or service conforms to specified standards" (Monks 1982) and

quality control efforts ensure that the standards are adhered to. In spatial data, quantifiable and nonquantifiable

standards must be met. Examples of quantifiable standards include zero errors (e.g., every polygon must have

a label), or an error rate less than a certain amount (e.g., a Root Mean Square error [RMSE] of less than 0.005

inches when registering quadrangles on a digitizing tablet). At this time in the technology, nonquantifiable

errors include that the polygons represent their position and shape on the ground and the delineation is not

overly complex. In addition, the data must be useful for scientific monitoring and research. 

The Environmental Management Technical Center (EMTC) has produced a series of standard operating

procedure (SOP) manuals detailing the steps in producing spatial data sets to meet these standards (Arndt and

Olsen 1995; Owens and Hop 1995a, 1995b; Robinson 1995; Owens and Robinson 1997). The present SOP

manual is a continuation of that series, detailing the quality control (QC) procedures taken at each production

step to ensure that the data are correct and can be passed to the next stage in the production process.

Adherence to the SOPs detailed in the other manuals and to the QC procedures discussed here ensures that

errors are kept to a minimum and that the data are reliable for monitoring and research.

Photointerpretation

Quality Standards

• Photo date, flight line number, and pool number should be written on the overlay and the fiducials must

be carefully marked.

• All delineations and labels must be neat and legible, clear and concise.

• All delineations must follow ground features based on photographic signatures, but delineations must

be drawn simply and not appear overly complex.

• All polygons and linears must be labeled.

• Each polygon must be closed, avoiding dangling segments.

• Each polygon may not have more than one attribute (although there may be multiple labels of the same

attribute in large polygons.
2

• Adjacent polygons must have a different attribute.

• Edge ties must match in all delineations and labels to adjacent interpreted photos.

• Interpretive decisions should be consistent throughout the work and based on visual clues of similar

photographic signatures and field notes.

Work on Long Term Resource Monitoring Program (LTRMP) projects is done by different

photointerpreters. No two persons will interpret aerial photographs exactly the same way and an individual

interpreter will not interpret aerial photographs exactly the same way over time. This creates the need for QC.

The following materials are needed for photointerpretation:

Aerial photographs with interpreted overlays

Photointerpretation Production Log (Appendix A)

Field notes from photo verification (Appendix B)

Mirror stereoscope with light table

Loupe (magnify ×8)

Rapidograph drafting pen (4 × 0)

Minimum mapping unit guide (Figure)

Classification list (Appendix C)

Wooden skewers (for erasing ink)

Paper (clean white sheet, no lines)

1 acre at 1:15:000

G

Figure. Example of a minimum mapping unit guide.

The QC reviewer shall be an experienced photointerpreter familiar with the project. Check interpreted

work against photointerpretation standards as specified in the Standard Operating Procedures for Field Station

Photointerpretation (Owens and Hop 1995a). Make sure that the version of classification used during the

review process is the same as that used for the initial interpretation. Review groundtruth notes to become

familiar with the vegetation photo signatures (Appendix B). Follow the photointerpreter’s comments on the

Photointerpretation Production Logs; this will assist with any special problems that the interpreter may have

encountered. Make any necessary changes in delineations or labeling by erasing the ink with a wooden skewer

and redrawing or labeling with a 4 × 0 Rapidograph pen using black india ink. Take notes of any consistent

errors found during these QC procedures and pass them on to the photointerpreter. This will eliminate future

errors of the same nature. 
3

Correctness of Interpretation

Use a mirror stereoscope to review the interpretation of the aerial photograph. Review two components

at this stage: (1) correctness in delineations and attributes and (2) consistency in identifying class types, both

by delineation and by attributes.

The first component pertains to the correctness of the individual delineation or group of delineations, apart

from other delineations. Consider, for example, an island within open water, represented by either one polygon

or several integrated polygons: Do the lines follow ground features based on photographic signatures? Should

the lines be drawn differently to better represent the area? Is the island labeled correctly according to the photo

signature or a specific field note?

The second component compares delineations, attributes, and photo signatures to other interpreted areas,

particularly areas that have been groundtruthed. For example, when comparing the interpretation of an island

to other interpreted islands in similar situations with similar photographic signatures, are the delineation

practices consistent with other areas? Are attributes labeled consistently compared with other areas that have

similar photographic signatures and are in a similar situation?

Use a magnifying loupe to identify submergent areas not apparent on the photograph under conventional

stereoscopic viewing. Review aquatic areas using the loupe to verify these delineations.

Technical Review

Use a blank piece of white paper to clearly review an interpreted overlay for correctness in delineation and

attributing. Place the sheet of paper between the interpreted overlay and the photograph. The line work and

labels will show up on the white background of the paper. The following is a brief overview of what to review

and correct if needed:

Delineations and labels must be neatly written, legible, clear, and concise. Line work should be of uniform

width, as well as consistent (no breaks within the lines). Linears should be represented with an evenly

spaced dashed line.

Delineations must be simply drawn, but with enough detail to accurately reflect the ground features.

Overly complex detail in delineations is not acceptable.

Polygons must be closed and labels should be placed within the polygon if space allows. If the polygon

is so small that the label touches the polygon delineations, the label should be placed outside the polygon

with a lead-line into the polygon. Linears must be identified with an arrow from the attribute.

Each polygon may not have more than one attribute assigned to it. Although more than one label may be

assigned to large polygons and long linears, the labels must be the same attribute. Each adjacent polygon

must have different attributes assigned to it.

Each segment of linears must have a label.

When review of a photo is complete and all corrections and changes have been made, write your initials

and date on the interpreted overlay below the photointerpreter's signature (for example, QC-KH, 4/29/96). If

the photointerpreter did not sign and date the interpreted overlay, have the interpreter do so. If this is not
4

possible, then write the interpreter's name on the top right corner of the photo and date it according to the

Photointerpretation Production Log. Initial the log to record that the QC is complete for that particular

photograph.

When QC is complete for each interpreted photograph, check all edge ties to ensure that delineations match

and attributes are the same. To eliminate duplication of effort make the appropriate changes if errors are

found; record to assure that all edge ties have been checked. This can be as simple as placing a check mark

in the margin of the overlay.

Relay any consistent errors to the photointerpreter to eliminate ongoing errors.

Organize the photographs, making sure that all interpreted overlays are covered with a photo jacket. The

interpreted photographs are now ready for transfer. Notify the Senior Photointerpreter that the project is

complete. Complete the necessary paperwork and pass the project folder to the Senior Cartographer for

transfer.

Zoom Transfer Scope Quality Control

Quality Standards

• Drafted tics must be neat and accurate.

• Complete project information must be listed in the lower right corner of the overlay (quad name and

state, project name and year, and other relevant information).

• Line work and attributes must be neat, legible, and properly oriented.

• Each polygon and linear must be uniquely and clearly labeled.

• All edges with data must be precisely tied to the adjacent quad.

• All photos numbers must be labeled on the overlay in red at the approximate center.

• Each quad should be initialed and dated upon completion of QC.

These procedures assume the use of multiple quads for a project's completion. If a project is confined to

one quad, some steps will not be necessary. Careful adherence to these procedures will result in a smoother,

more efficient flow of cartographic products to the data automation group.

Check that tic marks are present and aligned properly. If necessary, add or redraft tics. Paper topographic

maps are susceptible to shrinking and expanding with changes in humidity and temperature. These changes

may be small but can make quad registration difficult for the digitizer.

Check for proper labeling of the quad and project name. If unsure of the project name, ask the Senior

Cartographer or the geographic information system (GIS) Project Coordinator. The more project information

included on the overlay, the easier identification will be if the overlay gets misfiled or separated from the project

in the future.

Acquire associated photos with overlays and zoom transfer scope (ZTS) production logs (Appendix D).

Compare interpretation line work and labeling with the transferred line work and labeling. If any line work

discrepancies are found, note them on the transferred map overlay with red pencil or yellow Post-it Notes.

Mislabeled polygons should be changed immediately. If the photo number is not on the quad, write it in red

pencil at the photo’s approximate center. Once QC is complete for that photo area, put a small red check mark

next to the photo number and date the ZTS production log.
5

After completion of line work and labeling QC, check that all edge ties carried over to adjacent quads are

properly labeled. Any discrepancies in edge ties should be brought to the immediate attention of the ZTS

operator or Senior Cartographer.

Write initials and date near the quad name and project information in the overlay’s lower right corner (for

example, QC-LR, 3/3/96).

Bundle and label QC’d quads with the project name and give to the Digitizing Supervisor. Return project

quads and photos to their designated storage locations. Notify the Senior Cartographer that the project is

complete. Complete the necessary paperwork and pass the project folder to the GIS Project Manager for

transfer.

Data Automation

The GIS software used for automation is ARC/INFO and all commands are ARC commands. Digitizing

is done using EMTC's Production ARCEDIT (PAE) program, which uses a graphic user interface to guide

digitizers through the process (Arndt and Olsen 1995).

Command Explanation

The following ARC commands are used for quality control of data. Refer to ARC documentation for exact

usage of these commands. The commands are italicized.

1. Nodeerrors with the dangle option

Nodeerrors lists the nodes that are not connected to another feature such as an arc or another node. When

the nodeerrors command is run with the dangle option, the result should be Total number of dangling

nodes: 0.

2. Labelerrors

Labelerrors lists the polygons that have either zero labels or more than one label. The result of a

labelerrors should be Polygon 1 has 0 label points. Polygon 1 is the outer polygon and should never have

a label.

3. Joinitem

Joinitem joins two info files on the basis of a common item that exists between the two info files.

4. Describe

Describe provides descriptive information on a coverage, such as the number of polygons, the number of

labels, the status of topology, the minimum and maximum bounding coordinates, and projection

information.
6

5. Dissolve

Dissolve combines adjacent polygons that have the same value or description for a specified item. This

command is useful for determining if adjacent polygons have the same attribute.

6. Statistics

Generates an INFO data file that lists the unique code occurrences and their statistics. This command is

useful for verifying attributes in a coverage.

7. Frequency

Generates an INFO data file that lists the unique code occurrences and their statistics. This command is

useful for verifying attributes in a coverage.

Quality Standards

• Root Mean Square error must be less than 0.005 inches after quad setup.

• Line work must be smooth, complete, and accurate.

• Every polygon must be closed without any dangles.

• Every polygon must contain one and only one label (except the outer polygon, that contains zero label

points).

• Every data feature (point, line, or polygon) must have an acceptable attribute.

• All coverages must have topology and a defined projection.

• Adjacent maps should be tied across map edges.

• After mapjoining, arcs and attributes should match across map edges.

Checking Line Work (by Another Digitizer or GIS Coordinator)

Run a nodeerrors on the coverage.

Lay check plots over original digitizing media and compare line work.

Check the plot for missing, inaccurate, or incomplete data. If any white areas show between the digitized

arcs and the original arcs, redigitize the arcs. 

If the data layer has coincident lines with an existing coverage, compare the two coverages to ensure that

coincident lines have been maintained. Visually check each arc in ARCEDIT by bringing the less detailed of

the two coverages in as an edit coverage and the other in as a background coverage. For data layers such as

a study area boundary coincident with land cover/use, using ARC commands such as union will sometimes

show where arcs are NOT coincident.

After line work corrections and QC are complete, run another nodeerrors on the coverage, and date and

initial the Map Information Sheet (Appendix E).
7

Checking Attributes (by Another Digitizer or GIS Coordinator)

Run a labelerrors on the coverage.

Create an area report consisting of a list of the attributes, the frequency, and the area in acres. Check the

area report for any attributes that are misspelled, missing, or do not conform to the classification scheme.

A second check plot is created with the attributes displayed. For extremely detailed data where plotting

the attributes may not be practical, use the rplot.aml that allows you to plot selected attributes (3–5 attributes

at a time) in different colors. This also makes it easier to keep track of attribute frequencies. Also check for

"empty" attributes, which are labels that have no attributes assigned to them.

Verify the attributes on the check plot with the attributes on the original digitizing media. If there are any

discrepancies on the original media, refer to the photos.

As you check the attributes between the two media types, use a third checkoff method with the area reports.

As you check attributes on the plot, also check them off on the area report to ensure that the frequency of each

attribute is accurate.

Do a joinitem with a master lookup table (if necessary) and then go into INFO to again check for any

"empty" attributes. If blanks are found, refer to the source media to attribute the feature. After all features

are assumed to be attributed, drop the items that were brought over from the first joinitem and run the joinitem

again with the master lookup table. Repeat the process until attributes are complete.

After attribute corrections and QC are complete, generate a final area report and attach it to the back of

the Map Information Sheet (Appendix E) as a record of what was done.

Final Quality Control (by GIS Project Coordinator)

Run the labelerror and nodeerror commands on the coverage.

Do a describe on the coverage to check topology and to ensure that the projection has been defined.

Do a dissolve on the coverage (if polygonal) as a final check for adjacent polygons with like attributes.

If any polygons are dissolved out, refer to the source media. If a problem also exists on the source media, refer

to the photos. Make sure that any changes are reflected on the original source media and photos.

If there is more than one coverage, append or mapjoin the adjacent coverages.

Do a labelerrors and a nodeerrors on the mapjoined coverage.

Dissolve the mapjoined coverage mainly to check attributes across map edges and check for data that have

not been edge-matched properly.

Visually check against another data set in the same location to check the geographic location.
8

Stereo Zoom Transfer Scope Quality Control

Quality Standards

• Should have five or more control points for every stereo pair.

• Residual error should be less than 5 m except with setups occurring in open water.

• Digitize sufficient vertices for smooth and accurate arcs.

• Line work must be smooth and accurate.

• Every polygon must be closed without any dangles.

• Every polygon must contain one and only one label.

• Every label must contain an acceptable attribute.

• All coverages must have topology and a defined projection.

• Adjacent maps should be tied across map edges.

• After mapjoining, arcs and labels should match across map edges.

Digitizing and Background Coverage Editing

In most instances, Stereo Zoom Transfer quality control (SZTS QC) will be performed by the SZTS

Technician upon completion of a stereo pair (and before setup is compromised), after completion of the entire

study area, and after completion of the final edit.

Acquire photos with interpreted overlays and compare interpretation to the computer display. Note any

digitizing discrepancies and either add, delete, or redigitize as necessary.

After the digitizing and editing of the background coverage are complete, check that the coverage has been

properly edge-tied between photos and that each arc is unique. If an arc has been digitized multiple times,

determine which line is most accurate and delete all others (it may be necessary to zoom in to determine if there

is more than one arc).

Final Coverage Editing

After completion of final editing and labeling by a GIS Technician, obtain a plot of the line work at the

same scale as the photography and compare it directly with the interpreted photos. If any changes were made

to the line work during digitizing, update the interpretation overlay at this time. Initial and date the additional

QC on the overlay. 

Once line work is complete, obtain the plot with the labels and compare with the labels on interpreted

overlays. If there is a label discrepancy or a change in cover type, height, or density, determine which is correct

and update where appropriate. If interpretation is changed, initial and date additional QC on the overlay.

Once all corrections have been made, obtain a summary report and final plot of the line work with labels.

Attach both to the SZTS Info Sheet (Appendix F) and file. Return photos to their designated storage location.
9

Aquatic Areas Quality Control

Quality Standards

• Study area boundary (SAB) and land–water lines must match exactly with the parent land cover/use

(LCU) coverage.

• No wing dams or other structures can be in the Main Navigation Channel.

• Line work must be smooth and accurate.

• Every polygon must be closed without any dangles.

• Every polygon must contain only one label.

• Every label must contain an acceptable attribute.

• All coverages must have topology and a defined projection.

• Adjacent maps should be tied across map edges.

• After mapjoining, arcs and labels should match across map edges.

Do a labelerrors and a nodeerrors on the poolwide coverage.

Do a describe on the coverage to check topology and to ensure that the projection has been defined.

Do a statistics or frequency on the coverage's attribute table to ensure all attributes are legal.

Do a dissolve on the coverage as a final check on the attributes. If any polygons are dissolved out, refer

to the source coverage. Make sure that any changes are reflected on the original source coverage.

Overlay the aquatic area coverage on top of the parent LCU coverage on-screen in ARCPLOT. Carefully

inspect the SAB to make sure that the lines are coincident. Shade the LCU coverage into two colors on the

basis of the land–water attribute and overlay the aquatic areas coverage to ensure that all land–water breaks

were correctly classified.

Visually check against another data set in the same location to verify the geographic location.

References

Arndt, L., and D. Olsen. 1995. Long Term Resource Monitoring Program standard operating procedures:

Production ARCEDIT digitizing. National Biological Service, Environmental Management Technical

Center, Onalaska, Wisconsin, August 1995. LTRMP 95-P008-3. 12 pp. + Appendixes A–K (NTIS

#PB95-271136)

Monks, J. G. 1982. Operations Management, Theory and Problems, 2nd edition. McGraw-Hill Book

Company, New York. 725 pp. + Appendixes A–J

Owens, T., and K. D. Hop. 1995a. Long Term Resource Monitoring Program standard operating procedures:

Photointerpretation. National Biological Service, Environmental Management Technical Center, Onalaska,

Wisconsin, July 1995. LTRMP 95-P008-1. 7 pp. + Appendixes A–B (NTIS #PB95-264610)
10

Owens, T., and K. D. Hop. 1995b. Long Term Resource Monitoring Program standard operating procedures:

Field station photointerpretation. National Biological Service, Environmental Management Technical

Center, Onalaska, Wisconsin, August 1995. LTRMP 95-P008-2. 13 pp. + Appendixes A–E (NTIS

#PB95-114715)

Owens, T., and L. Robinson. 1996. Long Term Resource Monitoring Program standard operating procedures:

Manual zoom transfer scope. National Biological Service, Environmental Management Technical Center,

Onalaska, Wisconsin, December 1996. LTRMP 95-P008-5. 3 pp. + Appendix

Robinson, L. 1995. Long Term Resource Monitoring Program standard operating procedures: Automated

stereo zoom transfer scope. National Biological Service, Environmental Management Technical Center,

Onalaska, Wisconsin, November 1995. LTRMP 95-P008-4. 16 pp. (NTIS # PB96-147509)

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1993. Operating Plan for the Upper Mississippi River System Long Term

Resource Monitoring Program. Environmental Management Technical Center, Onalaska, Wisconsin,

Revised September 1993. EMTC 91-P002R. 179 pp. (NTIS #PB94-160199)
A-1

Appendix A. Photointerpretation Production Log

Project: Total Number Photos: 

Photo No. Date Hours QC Comments Map Name
B-1

Appendix B. 1989 Pool 10 Field Verification

Personnel: Kevin Hop

Larry Robinson

Date of Field Verification: August 31, 1994

September 9, 1994

Areas Visited: Just south of L&D 9 and NE of Harper's Ferry, Prairie Du Chien, Pikes Peak Wisconsin

River Area, and Guttenburg and North (French Town Lake)

Photos Verified: 49-10, 49-8, 50-6, 50-10, 50-8, on August 31, 1994

52, 10, 52-9, 52-7, 52-5, 50-12, 51-15 on September 9, 1994

Photo Duties Visited: 9-10-89 and 08-30-89

Common Vegetation Seen in Field:

Echinodorus, Leersia, Polygonum, Sagittaria, Cyperus, several other grasses and forbs, Acer, Salix,

Scirpus, Nymphaea, Nelumbo, Sparganium, Lemna, Anoratus

Less Common: Cucumber vines, Ulavis, Eliocharis, Fraxiens, Typha, Phalaris, Lephalantus,

submergents

Vegetation and water conditions seemed to be upper pool; many sag areas, mud flats, and

sag/net/Nymphaea areas H O and regime, more so in the upper part of the pool. Ex. vegetated signatures 2

of Sagittaria proved mud and H O in upper part of pool and Nymphaea, Nelumbo in mid-part of pool. 2

Lower pool proved most consistent in slight variabilities in vegetation on structure. Much of mid-pool

showed consistency too. 194 field showed invading spp. of grasses and forbs. Cyperus, etam.

Backwater pools tended to be good mixtures of emergent veg., such as spring, Scirpus, sag.

Suggestions: Signatures probably consistent in Pool 9. Pool 9 pl first.
C-1

Appendix C. LTRMP Vegetation Classification Photointerpreter's List

Version 3.12

5 January 1996

 100 Open Water 708 Pontederia 923 Leersia/Phalaris

 101 Lemnaceae 709 Sagittaria 924 Leersia/Phalaris/Polygonum

 102 Azolla 710 Sagittaria/Lemnaceae

 200 Submergents 713 Sagittaria/Sparganium 1001 Acer

 201 Lemnaceae/submergents 714 Scirpus 1002 Acer/Populus and/or Salix

 202 Myriophyllum 715 Scirpus/Sagittaria 1003 Amorpha

 203 Zosterella 716 Scirpus/Sparganium 1004 Betula

 204 Vallisneria/Zosterella 717 Sedge meadow 1005 Brush

 205 Myriophyllum/Zosterella 718 Sparganium 1006 Carya/Nyssa

 206 Vallisneria/Potamogeton 719 Typha 1007 Cephalanthus

 207 Myrioph/Potamoget/Vallis 720 Typha/Sagittaria 1008 Forest-mesic (moist soil sp.)

 208 Potamoget/Vallis/Zost/Cerat 721 Typha/Scirpus 1009 Forest-upland (dry soil sp.)

 209 Elodea 722 Typha/Scirpus/Sparganium 1010 Fraxinus

 210 Azolla/submergents 723 Typha/Sparganium 1011 Plantation

 250 Vallisneria/Potamoget/Heteran 724 Zizania 1012 Populus

 251 Ceratophyllum 725 Equisetum 1013 Quercus

 252 Lemnaceae/Ceratophyllum 1014 Salix

 253 Lemna/Ceratophyll/Potamogeton 727 Scirpus/Zizania 1015 Salix and/or Populus

 254 Potamogeton 728 Typha/Sagittaria/Scirpus 1016 Salix and/or Populus - grass

 255 Vallisneria 729 Typha/Sagittaria/Sparganium 1017 Shrub/grass/forbs

 300 Submerg-Rooted Floating Aqua 731 Typha/Lythrum 1019 Taxodium

 301 Brasenia/submergents 732 Scirpus/Lythrum 1020 Taxodium/Nyssa

 302 Nelumbo/Nymphaea/submerg/Lemn 1021 Ulmus

 303 Nelumbo/submergents 800 Emergents-Grasses/Forbs 1022 Conifers

 304 Nelumbo/submergents/Lemnaceae 801 Leersia/Carex/Polygonum 1023 Juniperus

 305 Nymphaea/Nelumbo/submergents 802 Leersia/Carex/Sagit/Polygonum 1024 Populus/Acer/Ulmus/Fraxinus community

 306 Nymphaea/submergents 803 Leer/Phalar/Scirp/Lythr/Phrag 1025 Quercus/Carya community

 307 Nymphaea/submergents/Lemnaceae 804 Leersia/Sagittaria 1026 Salix community

 308 Nymphaea/Myriophyllum 805 Sagittaria/Phalaris 1027 Populus community

 309 Nelumbo/Myriophyllum 806 Sagittaria/Polygonum 1028 Salix/Populus community

 310 Nelumbo/Nymphaea/Myriophyllum 807 Sag/Sparg/Typ/Scirp/Leer/Phrag 1029 Quercus/Nyssa/Taxodium community

 311 Nymph/Ceratoph/Myriophyl/Lemna 808 Scirpus/Leersia 1030 Acer/Tilia community

 312 Nymphaea/Ceratophyllum/Lemna 809 Scirpus/Carex/Leersia/Polygon 1031 Upland Forest community

 313 Nuphar/submergents 810 Scirpus/Phalaris 1032 Cephalanthus community

 314 Nuphar/Nympheae/submergents 811 Scirpus/Phragmites 1033 Mixed shrubs community

 400 Submerg-Rooted Floating-Emerg 812 Scirpus/Polygonum 1034 Plantation community

 401 Nelum/Nymph/Sag/Sparg/sub/Lemn 813 Scirpus/Typha/Phalaris

 402 Nelum/Nymph/Ponted/sub/Lemn 814 Sparganium/Leersia 1100 Agriculture

 403 Scirpus/Nelumbo/submergents 815 Typha/grasses/forbs

 404 Scirpus/Nymphaea/submergents 816 Scirpus/grasses/forbs 1200 Urban/Developed

 405 Zizania/Nymphaea/Nelumbo/sub 817 Sagittaria/Scirpus/Leersia 1201 Developed

 406 Pontederia/Nymph/Nelumbo/sub 818 Carex/Grasses/Forbs 1202 Developed parks

 407 Sagittaria/Ceratophyllum/Lemnaceae 819 Typha/Lythrum/Phragmites 1203 Industrial pond

 408 Nelumbo/Sagittaria/submergents 820 Lythrum/Grasses/Forbs 1204 Urban

 409 Nelumbo/Nympheae/Sagittaria/submergents 821 Sagittaria/Leersia/Polygonum 1205 Revetted bank

 410 Nymphaea/Zizania/submergents 822 Scirpus/Leersia/Polygonum

 500 Rooted Floating Aquatics 823 Scirpus/Leersia/Phalaris 1300 Sand/Mud

 501 Brasenia 824 Typha/Leersia 1301 Mud

 502 Jussiaea 1303 Sand

 503 Nelumbo 900 Grasses/Forbs

 504 Nelumbo/Lemnaceae 901 Ambrosia 1400 No Coverage

 505 Nelumbo/Nymphaea 902 Grass

 506 Nuphar 903 Hay meadow Modifiers:

 507 Nymphaea 904 Pasture (heavily grazed areas)

 508 Nelumbo/Nymphaea/Lemnaceae 905 Leersia

509 Nymphaea/Lemnaceae 906 Leersia/Polygonum

 600 Rooted Floating Aqua-Emergents 908 Mixed forbs and/or grasses

 601 Nelumbo/Nymphaea/Sagittaria 909 Nettles

 602 Nymphaea/Sagittaria 910 Phalaris

 603 Nymphaea/Scirpus 911 Phalaris/Polygonum

 604 Sagittaria/Nelumbo 912 Phragmites

 605 Nympheae/Zizania 913 Phragmites/Phalaris

 700 Emergents 914 Polygonum

 701 Acoris 915 Polygonum/Nelumbo

 702 Carex 916 Rdside-levee/grass/forbs/shrub

 703 Cyperus 917 Sand-prairie

 704 Decodon 918 Spartina

 705 Echinodorus 919 Vines as dense overgrowth

 706 Eleocharis 920 Polygonum/Eupatorium

 707 Lythrum salicaria 922 Grass/forbs/shrubs

 712 Sagittaria/Scirpus/Sparganium 1000* Woody Terrestrial

 730 Typha/Sagittaria/Scirpus/Sparganium 1018 Shrub/Scirpus

 907 Meadow

†

†

†

†

A 10-33% Vegetation Cover

B 34-67% Vegetation Cover

C 68-90% Vegetation Cover

D >90% Vegetation Cover

1. 0-20 Feet Tall 

2. 21-50 Feet Tall

3. >50 Feet Tall

* Optional Height Modifier Per EMTC Instructions

 No Height Modifier †
D-1

Appendix D. Zoom Transfer Production Log

Project: Total Number Photos:

Photo No. Date Hours QC Comments Map Name
E-1

Appendix E. Map Information Sheet

Coverage Name:__________________ Date:______________________

Project Name:___________________ Name:______________________

Location:_______________________ Mapsheet scale:____________

Mapsheet name:__________________ Data type:_________________

Mapsheet vintage:_______________ Theme name:________________

TicId#____ (lon)_____________ TicId#____ (lon)_____________

 (lat)_____________ (lat)_____________

TicId#____ (lon)_____________ TicId#____ (lon)_____________

 (lat)_____________ (lat)_____________

TicId#____ (lon)_____________ TicId#____ (lon)_____________

 (lat)_____________ (lat)_____________

Date of QC line work___________ Initial____________

Date of QC attributes__________ Initial____________

Checked Labelerrors____________

Checked Nodeerrors_____________

Fuzzy Tolerance________________

Dangle Tolerance_______________

Transformation Errors(if projected)____________________________

Adjacent Maps for Edge-matching:

__________________ _________________ 

__________________ _________________

Date of Edge-match____________ Initial____________

Date of Mapjoin_______________ Initial____________
F-1

Appendix F. Stereo ZTS Information Sheet

 PROJECT NAME:_______________________________

DIGITIZING

 DIRECTORY NAME__________________________ DATE________________________________

 SHIFT/DATA SET NAME_____________________ THEME_______________________________

 LOCATION________________________________ DIGITIZER___________________________

 SHIFT X =_______________ Y =_______________ PAGE___________ OF ____________

PHOTO RESIDUALS

 PHOTO # X Y Z TOTAL

 ________ _________ _________ _________ _________

 ________ _________ _________ _________ _________

 ________ _________ _________ _________ _________

 ________ _________ _________ _________ _________

 ________ _________ _________ _________ _________

 ________ _________ _________ _________ _________

EDITING

 EDITOR______________________________ DATE___________________________________

 LOCATION____________________________ DATA TYPE: POLY_____LINE_____POINT_____

TRACKING

 ____________________________________ _______________________________________

 ____________________________________ _______________________________________

 ____________________________________ _______________________________________

 ____________________________________ _______________________________________

QUALITY CONTROL

TOTAL # ARCS___________ TOTAL # POLYGONS_________ TOTAL ATTRIBUTES___________

FUZZY TOLERANCE________ NODE ERR FIXED___________ LABEL ERRORS FIXED_________

DATE MAP COMPLETED_____ LINE PLOT QC'D___________ ATTRIBUTES QC'D____________

QC SUPERVISOR_________________________ TOTAL HOURS TO COMPLETE________________
REPORT DOCUMENTATION PAGE Form Approved

OMB No. 0704-0188

 Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 1 hour per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data

sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other

aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to Washington Headquarters Services, Directorate for Information Operations and Reports,

1215 Jefferson Davis Highway, Suite 1204, Arlington, VA 22202-4302, and to the Office of Management and Budget, Paperwork Reduction Project (0704-0188), Washington,

D.C. 20503 

 1. AGENCY USE ONLY (Leave blank) 3. REPORT TYPE AND DATES COVERED 

 

 2. REPORT DATE

May 1997

 4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE

 Long Term Resource Monitoring Program standard operating procedures: Quality control for cartographic activities 

 5. FUNDING NUMBERS

 6. AUTHOR(S)

 Thomas W. Owens, Kevin Hop, Larry Robinson, Lynne DeHaan, and Tammy Fancher 1 2 1 2 3

 7. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME AND ADDRESS

U.S. Geological Survey, Environmental Management Technical Center, 575 Lester Avenue, Onalaska, Wisconsin 54650 1

Saint Mary's University of Minnesota, 700 Terrace Heights, Winona, Minnesota 55987 2

Midcontinent Ecological Science Center, 4512 McMurry Avenue, Fort Collins, Colorado 80525-3400 3

 8. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION

 REPORT NUMBER

 9. SPONSORING/MONITORING AGENCY NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES)

 U.S. Geological Survey

 Environmental Management Technical Center

 575 Lester Avenue

 Onalaska, Wisconsin 54650

 

 10. SPONSORING/MONITORING

 AGENCY REPORT NUMBER

 95-P008-7

 11. SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES

 

 12a. DISTRIBUTION/AVAILABILITY STATEMENT

 Release unlimited. Available from National Technical Information Service, 5285 Port Royal Road, Springfield, VA 22161 (1-

800-553-6847 or 703-487-4650) 

 12b. DISTRIBUTION CODE

 13. ABSTRACT (Maximum 200 words)

 The Environmental Management Technical Center has produced a series of standard operating procedure (SOP) manuals detailing the steps in producing spatial data sets to meet

quality standards. The present SOP Manual is a continuation of that series detailing the quality control (QC) standards and procedures taken at each production step to ensure that

the data are correct and can be passed to the next stage in the production process. Adherence to the SOPs detailed in the other manuals and to the QC procedures discussed here

ensure that errors are kept to a minimum and that the data are reliable for monitoring and research.

 

 14. SUBJECT TERMS

 Cartography, digitizing, photo interpretation, quality control, standard operation procedures, zoom transfer scope 

 15. NUMBER OF PAGES

 10 pp. + Appendices A–F

 16. PRICE CODE

 17. SECURITY CLASSIFICATION 18. SECURITY CLASSIFICATION 19. SECURITY CLASSIFICATION

 OF REPORT OF THIS PAGE OF ABSTRACT

 Unclassified Unclassified Unclassified 

 20. LIMITATION OF ABSTRACT
The Long Term Resource Monitoring Program (LTRMP) for the Upper

Mississippi River System was authorized under the Water Resources

Development Act of 1986 as an element of the Environmental Management

Program. The mission of the LTRMP is to provide river managers with

information for maintaining the Upper Mississippi River System as a sustainable

large river ecosystem given its multiple-use character. The LTRMP is a

cooperative effort by the U.S. Geological Survey, the U.S. Army Corps of

Engineers, and the States of Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, and Wisconsin.