Description: This polygon GIS dataset contains estuary boundaries for the 50 United States and Puerto Rico originally developed to support EPA's Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Program (EMAP, 1990-1994) and National Coastal Assessment (NCA, 2000-2006). The boundaries were originally derived using modified 1:100,000 Digital Line Graphs (DLGs) dating from 1983-1995. When the intermediate DLGs were unavailable, other source data were used. Value was added to the original estuary attributes by EPA, including reconciling estuary names using USGS National Map and Geographic Names Information System (GNIS), adding estuary system names from the National Coastal Condition Assessment (NCCA), and adding Salinity Zones data from NOAA classifications.
Copyright Text: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development