Title: Gridded Soil Survey Geographic (gSSURGO) Database State-tile Package

 

Originator: USDA - NRCS

 

Abstract:

The "Gridded Soil Survey Geographic (gSSURGO) Database State-tile Package" product is derived from the Soil Survey Geographic (2.2) Database dated July, 2020. The gSSURGO data were prepared by merging SSURGO digital vector map and tabular data into State-wide extents, and adding a State-wide gridded map layer derived from the vector, plus a new value added look up (valu) table that contains “ready to map attributes”.

SSURGO is generally the most detailed level of soil geographic data developed by the National Cooperative Soil Survey (NCSS) in accordance with NCSS mapping standards. The tabular data represent the soil attributes and are derived from properties and characteristics stored in the National Soil Information System (NASIS). The gSSURGO data were prepared by merging traditional SSURGO digital vector map and tabular data into State-wide extents, and adding a State-wide gridded map layer derived from the vector, plus a new value added look up (valu) table containing "ready to map” attributes. The gridded map layer is offered in an ArcGIS™ 10.0 file geodatabase raster format.

The raster and vector map data have a State-wide extent. The raster map data have a 10 meter cell size that approximates the vector polygons in an Albers Equal Area projection. Each cell (and polygon) is linked to a map unit identifier called the map unit key (MUKEY). A unique map unit key is used to link raster cells and polygons to attribute tables, including the new value added look up (valu) table that contains additional derived data.

 

The value added look up (valu) table contains attribute data summarized to the map unit level using best practice generalization methods intended to meet the needs of most users. The generalization methods include map unit component weighted averages and percent of the map unit meeting a given criteria.

 

For additional information on National Cooperative Soil Survey in your State, please contact the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service, State Soil Scientist.  Their contact information is available at http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/sitenav/national/states/.  For questions concerning these data please visit http://soils.usda.gov/survey/geography  or contact SoilsHotline@lin.usda.gov.

 

Access the gSSURGO web page off the main Soils page for a technical overview, Fact Sheet, a comprehensive User’s Guide, and other materials at http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/soils/survey/geo/?cid=nrcs142p2_053628.

 

The SSURGO 2.2 static tabular metadata describe the underlying data structure, independent of the actual data contained in an export.  The dynamic metadata documents the contents of a particular export.  The structure of the static and dynamic metadata tables can be viewed online at http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/soils/survey/geo/?cid=nrcs142p2_053631.

 

Format: ArcGIS™ 10.0 file geodatabase format that includes tables, vectors (points, lines, polygons) and rasters. 

 

Spatial Reference Information: Albers Equal Area Projection, NAD83, meters