R1 VMap

These data are delivered as compressed file geodatabases in the projection used by the forest. A dataset in the Region 1 Albers projection can be requested from the Northern Region Geospatial Group at the contact listed below. Each geodatabase contains multiple features classes representing different dissolved map products from the mid-level database. The available dissolved products vary by Forest. Also included in each download is an access database (VMAP_<forest abbreviation>_901_ATTR.mdb) that contains only the table attributes of the mid-level database and not the spatial features. This access database is essential for many VMap visualizations available through the USFS-NRIS Geospatial Interface.

The self-extracting zipfiles that can be downloaded at the bottom of the page are set-up to unzip in the following directory structure; C:\FS\Reference\GIS\r01_<forest abbreviation>\data. It is recommended to use this default file structure so that VMap visualizations available through the USFS-NRIS Geospatial Interface will work properly.

Region 1 abbreviations used in file structures

BeaverheadDeerlodge	bd
Bitterroot	bit
Clearwater	clw
Custer	cnf
Flathead	flt
Gallatin	gal
Helena	hel
IdahoPanhandle	ipnf
Kootenai	knf
LewisClark	lc
Lolo	lolo
NezPerce	nez
DakotaPrairie	dpg
R01	r01

Each forest dataset contains FGDC metadata. A User’s Guide was developed for the latest eastside Forest VMap releases (Lewis & Clark, Helena, Gallatin, Custer National Forests). The 2009 Westside databases have been re-worked to conform to the Eastside data dictionary and utilize the current R1 existing vegetation classification system. However, the User’s Guide has not been updated to reflect the Westside databases at this point.

   2009 Eastside VMap User’s Guide Release 9.1.1
   2009 R1 Existing Vegetation Classification System
   R1-VMap accuracy assessment procedures (version1.1)
   2009 Eastside VMAP accuracy assessment results

Forest Dataset Downloads: (click on link within metadata to download the .exe file).

WARNING: Incorrect values and inconsistencies have been discovered with the biophysical attributes (ELEV, SLOPE, ASPCLASS) of the 901 release. These will be corrected and a version 10.1 will be posted as soon as possible. In the interim, biophysical attributes of the 901 databases should not be used.

Forest	Metadata
Bitterroot
Clearwater
Custer
Flathead
Gallatin
Helena
IdahoPanhandle
Kootenai
LewisClark
Lolo
NezPerce

If you need the 2006 Westside VMap data, click here

Problems or questions concerning the use of these VMap data should be directed to:
Jim Barber
Geospatial Services Group
Northern Region Engineering
USDA Forest Service
(406) 329-3093
jbarber@fs.fed.us

last edited 13-may-10