FGDC-STD-014.7e-2008

Geographic Information Framework Data Content 

Standard 

Part 7e: Transportation – Inland Waterways 

May 2008 
ii

Federal Geographic Data Committee 

Established by Office of Management and Budget Circular A-16, the Federal Geographic Data 

Committee (FGDC) promotes the coordinated development, use, sharing, and dissemination of 

geographic data. 

The FGDC is composed of representatives from the Departments of Agriculture, Commerce, 

Defense, Education, Energy, Health and Human Services, Homeland Security, Housing and 

Urban Development, the Interior, Justice, Labor, State, and Transportation, the Treasury, and 

Veteran Affairs; the Environmental Protection Agency; the Federal Communications Commission; 

the General Services Administration; the Library of Congress; the National Aeronautics and 

Space Administration; the National Archives and Records Administration; the National Science 

Foundation; the Nuclear Regulatory Commission; the Office of Personnel Management; the Small 

Business Administration; the Smithsonian Institution; the Social Security Administration; the 

Tennessee Valley Authority; and the U.S. Agency for International Development. Additional 

Federal agencies participate on FGDC subcommittees and working groups. The Department of 

the Interior chairs the committee. 

FGDC subcommittees work on issues related to data categories coordinated under the circular. 

Subcommittees establish and implement standards for data content, quality, and transfer; 

encourage the exchange of information and the transfer of data; and organize the collection of 

geographic data to reduce duplication of effort. Working groups are established for issues that 

transcend data categories. 

For more information about the committee, or to be added to the committee's newsletter mailing 

list, please contact: 

Federal Geographic Data Committee Secretariat 

c/o U.S. Geological Survey 

590 National Center 

Reston, Virginia 22092 

Facsimile: (703) 648-5755 

Internet (electronic mail): fgdc@usgs.gov 

 World Wide Web: http://www.fgdc.gov
Federal Geographic Data Committee FGDC-STD-014.7e-2008 

Geographic Information Framework Data Content Standard 

Part 7e: Transportation – Inland Waterways

iii

Contents 

Introduction.................................................................................................................................... v

1 Scope........................................................................................................................................... 1

2 Conformance............................................................................................................................... 1

3 Normative references................................................................................................................. 1

4 Maintenance authority ............................................................................................................... 1

4.1 Level of responsibility...................................................................................................... 1

4.2 Contact information ......................................................................................................... 1

5 Terms and definitions ................................................................................................................ 2

6 Symbols, abbreviated terms, and notations............................................................................ 2

7 Inland waterways model ............................................................................................................ 2

7.1 Conceptual model for inland waterways........................................................................ 2

7.1.1 TranFeature....................................................................................................................... 3

7.1.2 ProjectDepthArea ............................................................................................................. 3

7.1.3 MileMarker......................................................................................................................... 3

7.1.4 TranPoint........................................................................................................................... 3

7.1.5 TranSeg ............................................................................................................................. 3

7.1.6 SailingLine......................................................................................................................... 3

7.2 Inland waterways data dictionary ................................................................................... 3

Annex A (informative) Bibliography ............................................................................................ 6

Figures 

Figure 1 – Primary UML classes for inland waterways ............................................................. 3

Tables 

Table 1 – Data dictionary for inland waterways ......................................................................... 4
Federal Geographic Data Committee FGDC-STD-014.7e-2008 

Geographic Information Framework Data Content Standard 

Part 7e: Transportation – Inland Waterways

iv

Foreword 

Geographic information, also known as geospatial information, both underlies and is the subject 

of much of the political, economic, environmental, and security activities of the United States. In 

recognition of this, the United States Office of Management and Budget issued Circular A-16 

(revised 2002), which established the Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC) as a 

coordinating organization. 

Work on this standard started under the Geospatial One-Stop e-Government initiative. The 

standard was developed with the support of the member agencies and organizations of the 

FGDC and aids in fulfilling a primary objective of the National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI), 

that is, creation of common geographic base data for seven critical data themes. The seven core 

data themes are considered framework data of critical importance to the spatial data 

infrastructure. 

As the Geographic Information Framework Data Content Standard was developed using public 

funds, the U.S. Government will be free to publish and distribute its contents to the public, as 

provided through the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), Part 5 United States Code, Section 552, 

as amended by Public Law No. 104-231, “Electronic Freedom of Information Act Amendments of 

1996”. 
Federal Geographic Data Committee FGDC-STD-014.7e-2008 

Geographic Information Framework Data Content Standard 

Part 7e: Transportation – Inland Waterways

v

Introduction 

The primary purpose of this part of the Geographic Information Framework Data Content 

Standard is to support the exchange of navigable river (inland waterway) transportation data. 

This part seeks to establish a common baseline for the semantic content of inland waterway 

transportation databases for public agencies and private enterprises. It also seeks to decrease 

the costs and simplify the exchange of inland waterway transportation data among local, Tribal, 

State, and Federal users and producers. That, in turn, discourages duplicative data collection. 

Benefits of adopting this part of the standard also include the long-term improvement of the 

geospatial inland waterway transportation data within the community, the improved integration of 

safety, emergency response, and enforcement data, and streamlined maintenance procedures. 

This effort is derivative of an ongoing program within the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), 

called the Inland Electronic Navigation Charts (IENCs). The IENCs are posted on the Internet for 

direct download for use as navigational charts for several of the major rivers within the United 

States. 

Part 7e: Inland Waterways is one of five parts within the Transportation theme of the Geographic 

Information Framework Data Content Standard. Together, these five parts provide a multi-modal 

view of transportation, including road infrastructure, rail systems, air transportation, and 

conveyances or public transit. The Inland Waterways part is unique, in that the USACE maintains 

8,200 miles of rivers in 22 States. As a part of the Geographic Information Framework Data 

Content Standard, the Inland Waterways part can enable a capability to construct a detailed 

multi-modal description of a transportation system. 
Federal Geographic Data Committee FGDC-STD-014.7e-2008 

Geographic Information Framework Data Content Standard 

Part 7e: Transportation – Inland Waterways

1

1 Scope 

The Geographic Information Framework Data Content Standard, Part 7e: Inland Waterways 

provides common definitions and syntax to enable the use and exchange of geospatial data 

content as compiled for the IENC. The part describes authoritative data content derived from the 

IENC. It is expected that in conjunction with the other parts of the Transportation theme, this data 

will support the construction of a complex multi-modal model from disparate data collections and 

from a variety of different government entities. 

2 Conformance 

Each thematic part of the Framework Data Content Standard includes a data dictionary based on 

the conceptual schema presented in that part. To conform to the Base Document (Part 0), a 

thematic dataset shall satisfy the requirements of the data dictionary for that theme. It shall 

include a value for each mandatory element, and a value for each conditional element for which 

the condition is true. It may contain values for any optional element. The data type of each value 

shall be that specified for the element in the data dictionary and the value shall lie within the 

domain specified for the element. 

3 Normative references 

Annex A of the Base Document (Part 0) lists normative references applicable to two or more parts 

of the standard, including those other than the transportation parts. No additional normative 

references are specified in the Transportation Base (Part 7). Informative references applicable to 

the Inland Waterways part only are listed in Annex A. Informative references applicable to two or 

more transportation parts only are listed in Annex C of the Transportation Base. Annex D of the 

Base Document lists informative references applicable to two or more of the parts, including 

those other than the transportation parts. 

4 Maintenance authority 

4.1 Level of responsibility 

The FGDC is the responsible organization for coordinating work on all parts of the Geographic 

Information Framework Data Content Standard. The United States Department of Transportation 

(USDOT), working with the FGDC, is the responsible organization for coordinating work on the 

Geographic Information Framework Data Content Standard, Part 7: Transportation Base and 

subparts (Parts 7a, 7b, 7c, and 7d, excluding 7e) and is directly responsible for development and 

maintenance of the transportation parts (excluding Part 7e) of the Framework Data Content 

Standard. The development and maintenance authority for Part 7e: Inland Waterways is the U.S. 

Army Corps of Engineers. 

4.2 Contact information 

Address questions concerning this part of the standard to: 

Federal Geographic Data Committee Secretariat 

c/o U.S. Geological Survey 

590 National Center 

Reston, Virginia 20192 USA 

Telephone: (703) 648-5514 

Facsimile: (703) 648-5755 

Internet (electronic mail): gdc@fgdc.gov

WWW Home Page: http://fgdc.gov
Federal Geographic Data Committee FGDC-STD-014.7e-2008 

Geographic Information Framework Data Content Standard 

Part 7e: Transportation – Inland Waterways

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5 Terms and definitions 

Definitions applicable to the Inland Waterways part are listed here. These definitions derive from 

the IENC encoding guide [USACE]. Other terms and definitions applicable to multiple 

transportation parts of the standard are listed in the Transportation Base (Part 7). More general 

terms and definitions can be found in the Base Document (Part 0) part of the standard. Users are 

advised to consult these documents for a complete set of definitions. 

5.1 

depth contour 

contour of equal water depth, which is sometimes significantly displaced outside of soundings, 

symbols, and other chart detail for clarity as well as generalization 

NOTE Depth contours, therefore, often represent an approximate location of the line of equal depth as 

related to the surveyed line delineated on the source. 

5.2 

mile marker 

distance mark not physically installed, denoting a system of reference for position along a 

waterway 

5.3 

sailing line 

generally accepted course or route on inland waterways used for navigation by commercial 

vessels 

NOTE The line is not always in the center of the river or waterway. 

6 Symbols, abbreviated terms, and notations 

The following symbols, abbreviations, and notations are applicable to the Inland Waterways part. 

Those common to two or more transportation parts are listed in the Transportation Base (Part 7). 

Symbols, abbreviations, and notations applicable to multiple parts, including the transportation 

parts, are listed in the Base Document (Part (0). 

IENC – Inland Electronic Navigation Chart 

USACE – U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 

7 Inland waterways model 

7.1 Conceptual model for inland waterways 

Subsections are presented below for this UML model. The following information includes a 

narrative for context and understanding, and a table to define the contents. 
Federal Geographic Data Committee FGDC-STD-014.7e-2008 

Geographic Information Framework Data Content Standard 

Part 7e: Transportation – Inland Waterways

3

Figure 1 – Primary UML classes for inland waterways 

7.1.1 TranFeature 

TranFeature is a superclass as referenced by the inland waterways model. See the 

Transportation Base part of the standard for a full description of TranFeature. TranFeature 

generalizes all of the feature subclasses in the inland waterways model. 

7.1.2 ProjectDepthArea 

ProjectDepthArea is a subclass of TranFeature. ProjectDepthArea has polygon geometry that 

represents the area within the waterway bounded by a depth contour that denotes the designated 

navigation area with a minimum depth of 9 feet. 

7.1.3 MileMarker 

MileMarker is a subclass of TranPoint. MileMarker has point geometry that describes the position 

of a mile marker in or near the waterway to serve as a reference for distance along the waterway. 

7.1.4 TranPoint 

TranPoint is a subclass of TranFeature. See the Transportation Base part of the standard for a 

full description of TranPoint. 

7.1.5 TranSeg 

TranSeg is a subclass of TranFeature. See the Transportation Base part of the standard for a full 

description of TranSeg. 

7.1.6 SailingLine 

SailingLine is a subclass of TranSeg. SailingLine describes the sailing line, or recommended 

transit route, based on sufficient water depth and permitted passage along the waterway, 

between the 9-foot depth contours. 

7.2 Inland waterways data dictionary 

The data dictionary (see Table 1) describes the characteristics of the Inland Waterways part 

classes presented in the UML diagram in Figure 1. The data dictionary is structured in 

accordance with the Base Document (Part 0). 
Federal Geographic Data Committee F

Geographic Information Framework Data Content Standard Part 7e: Transportation – Inland Waterways

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Table 1 – Data dictionary for inland waterways 

Line Name/Role name Definition Obligation/ Condition Maximum Occurrence Data Type 

1 ProjectDepthArea Area within the waterway bounded by a depth contour of at least 9 feet <<Feature>> 2 geometry 

Area feature that denotes a water depth of at least 9 feet within the waterway 

M 1 <<Type>> GM_Surface 

3 minimumScale 

Denominator of a ratio that is the recommended minimum scale for viewing 

O 1 Integer 

4 sourceIndicator 

Character string referencing the authoritative source of the data entity 

M 1 

<<DataType>> Framework:: ExternalResource 

5 MileMarker Abstraction of the mile markers along the waterway <<Feature>> 6 geometry Unique point that represents the position of a waterway mile marker M 1 <<Type>> GM_Point 7 information Additional information related to the mile marker O 1 CharacterString 8 sailingLineID 

Unique integer that associates MileMarker with a particular SailingLine 

O 1 Integer 

9 sourceIndicator 

Character string referencing the authoritative source of the data entity 

M 1 

<<DataType>> Framework:: ExternalResource 

10 SailingLine 

Recommended transit route along the length of a waterway within the ProjectDepthArea 

<<Feature>> 

11 minimumScale Recommended minimum scale for viewing O 1 Integer 
Federal Geographic Data Committee F

Geographic Information Framework Data Content Standard Part 7e: Transportation – Inland Waterways

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Line Name/Role name Definition Obligation/ Condition Maximum Occurrence Data Type 

12 sailingLineID Unique integer that identifies a particular SailingLine O 1 Integer 13 sourceIndicator 

Character string referencing the authoritative source of the data entity 

M 1 

<<DataType>> Framework:: ExternalResource 
Federal Geographic Data Committee FGDC-STD-014.7e-2008 

Geographic Information Framework Data Content Standard 

Part 7e: Transportation – Inland Waterways 

Annex A (informative): Bibliography

6

Annex A 

(informative) 

Bibliography 

The following documents contain provisions that are relevant to this part of the Framework Data 

Content Standard. Informative references applicable to two or more transportation parts only are 

listed in Annex C of the Transportation Base (Part 7). Annex D of the Base Document (Part 0) 

lists informative references applicable to two or more of the parts of the standard, including the 

transportation parts. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated 

references, the latest edition of the referenced document applies. 

ANSI and ISO standards may be purchased through the ANSI eStandards Store at 

http://webstore.ansi.org/ansidocstore/default.asp, accessed October 2006. 

USACE, April 2005, Inland electronic navigational chart, Chart no. 1 and encoding guide, 

(Version 3.0)