Frequently Asked Questions
Metadata for SoilMap layers
Click on the layer name in the SoilMap legend to see metadata for that layer.
Fayette County Legend
The Fayette County data in SoilMap is interim data and has an older soils legend. A new legend has been created by NRCS and the certified data will carry the new legend. When the certified data becomes available, I will add it to
SoilMap.
Where is Potter County Soils Data
The soils data for Potter County is currently in development. I don't know when it will be ready, but I will add it to SoilMap as soon as I can.
How do I get information about a soil?
Click on the Soil Report Tool (the green tool with the small 'i' in it). The tool will turn yellow to show that it is active. Click on a soil on the map and the
Soil Report will appear in a new window. To get detailed soil reports direct from NRCS, select a detail report from the list and click the Create Selected Report button.
The report will appear in a new window.
When will SoilMap be able to pinpoint a location using lat/long coordinates?
SoilMap 2 can make a map using lat/long coordinates. Simply click the
Find Place button at the top of the mapping interface and use the Go to a GPS Coordinate tool. The Find Place tool can accept GPS coordinates in 3 different formats: Decimal Degrees,
Degrees, Minutes and Seconds, or Decimal Minutes. Longitude is reported by SoilMap as a negative, but some GPS units may report it as a positive. You can enter it either way.
Decimal Degrees will look like this: Longitude (or West) -77.8, Latitude (or North) 40.9
Degrees, Minutes and Seconds will look like this: Longitude (or West) -77 46 36.5, Latitude (or North) 40 54 54.1
Decimal Minutes will look like this: Longitude (or West) -77 46.3, Latitude (or North) 40 54.1
Decimal Degrees will look like this: Longitude (or West) -77.8, Latitude (or North) 40.9
Degrees, Minutes and Seconds will look like this: Longitude (or West) -77 46 36.5, Latitude (or North) 40 54 54.1
Decimal Minutes will look like this: Longitude (or West) -77 46.3, Latitude (or North) 40 54.1
When will the newest soils data be available?
SoilMap 2 features the newest SSURGO soils data produced by the Pennsylvania Map Compilation and Digitizing Center.
As new data becomes available it will be added to SoilMap.
How do I export the map as an image file?
You can download the map as an image file or copy it to the clipboard through your browser.
Make sure all tools are inactive (clicking an active tool makes it inactive) Then right click the image
and use that menu to do a copy or save as... This image will not have georeferencing information. To use it as a background image in GIS software, you will have to georeference the image manually.
Adding watershed names to map
SoilMap now supports labels for the watershed names. Just use the txt checkbox next to the watershed layer checkbox in the layer list.
Aerial photography flight dates
Use the Spot Analysis tool to determine the flight date for aerial photography. Click on a spot, and the report will show the flight date for the quarter quad at that spot.
What datum is used for GPS Coordinates ?
When you enter a GPS coordinate into SoilMap to map its location, the coordinate will be projected from Geographic NAD83 to Albers for display. Geographic coordinates
reported by SoilMap are always in NAD83. If you have a need to enter GPS coordinates in NAD27, send me a comment and I will work on adding that option...