How to: Aerial map with topo lines

[62kodiak]

Great link. It really confirmed how flat MN is.

[hunter_mike]

Jelf,
I read through most of the "GIS Viewer" tab on your homepage. I didn't realize how powerful of a tool this is that you put together here. Thank you for joining the Beast. I am going to try to put a custom map together with multiple GIS layers soon. My biggest problem is finding the actual GIS servers. I did find some data sets but they were in the form of a zipped file? I emailed some people from the WI DNR so hopefully they can assist me in finding the servers.

Ideally I want to make a map that will show Aerial map with topo lines, showing WI public hunting land boundaries, and also online county plat books for WI. I'm not even sure if its possible but how cool would that be. I just have to hunt down the servers is what I'm understanding right now.

[Jelf]

Jelf,
I read through most of the "GIS Viewer" tab on your homepage. I didn't realize how powerful of a tool this is that you put together here. Thank you for joining the Beast. I am going to try to put a custom map together with multiple GIS layers soon. My biggest problem is finding the actual GIS servers. I did find some data sets but they were in the form of a zipped file? I emailed some people from the WI DNR so hopefully they can assist me in finding the servers.

Ideally I want to make a map that will show Aerial map with topo lines, showing WI public hunting land boundaries, and also online county plat books for WI. I'm not even sure if its possible but how cool would that be. I just have to hunt down the servers is what I'm understanding right now.

The zipped files you found were likely either shape (.shp) or .KMZ files.

Gmap4 does not display .shp files.

Most KMZ files can be displayed by Gmap4. If a KMZ file has been zipped then you will need to:
1. Unzip the file
2. Put the KMZ file online. Google Sites is free and the Gmap4 Help file has step-by-step instructions
3. Make a Gmap4 link to display the KMZ file.

I really doubt that you will find plat book type data (1) on a GIS server that (2) makes that data freely available to the public via the REST or WMS interface.

Many counties have GIS servers that drive a county GIS that shows land ownership. However I have only seen one instance where a county GIS allowed access via REST or WMS.

It is almost a certainty that Wisconsin (and each other state) has one or more GIS servers with data layers that hunters would enjoy seeing. After all, GIS is how state officials keep track of stuff for their own needs. The question will be whether those GIS servers are configured to allow the public to view that data using GIS client software such as Gmap4. In order for the public to view GIS data with software like Gmap4, the GIS server has to allow access via either the REST interface or WMS interface.

When you are looking for GIS servers, the buzz word is "endpoint" which refers to the internet address for the server. For example, here is one for Michigan: http://gis.mcgi.state.mi.us/ArcGIS/rest/services

I sent an email to WI DNR asking if they have any GIS servers we can access. I'll post what I learn.

Joseph, the Gmap4 guy

[hunter_mike]

Columbia county WI has data layers available to the public including tax parcels but it doesn't look like it is the REST format:

http://www.co.columbia.wi.us/columbiacounty/Portals/5/lid/Available_Data_Layers.htm

Also the WI DNR has a very nice web mapping tool which shows all public access lands: (http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/lands/PAL/application.html) But I thought it would be cool to combine that data with tax parcel data to make an ultimate hunting access map. But it looks like I probably won't be able to achieve that.

I will see if I can figure out how to put those zipped files online. Some of those would be very useful on Gmap4.

Thanks for your help, looking forward to hearing what the DNR says.

[ozzz]

Sweet, thanks

[Jelf]

If you find some KMZ or KML files then here is some info that will help.

A KMZ is simply a compressed KML file. (It is dumb to zip a kmz since it is already compressed.)

Google has limits on the size/complexity of a KML/KMZ file that can be displayed by apps like Gmap4. Scroll down a bit on this page: https://developers.google.com/kml/docum ... apsSupport

If you try to display a KML/KMZ file that exceeds those limits then google is supposed to provide an error message to Gmap4 and you will see that message on the screen.

Many gov workers that prepare KML/KMZ files do not know about these limits and prepare files that are too large.
There is a simple solution involving a KML thing called 'network link' that allows large KML/KMZ files to be displayed. Of course gov workers do not know about that either. For more info and an example, go to the Gmap4 examples page:
http://www.mappingsupport.com/p/gmap4_examples.html
Just a short way down the 'examples' page is a section titled "Other recreation maps produced by MappingSupport".
Click the link in that section.
On the page that appears, read "Important tips if you are making KML and/or KMZ files". Open the "small KML file" to see how to use 'network links' to display several KMZ files.

Joseph, the Gmap4 guy

[Jelf]

The ability to see topo lines on aerials got such nice reviews that this feature is now built right into the program. From now on you do not need any special Gmap4 link to use this feature.

For more info please see the “What’s new” page:
http://www.mappingsupport.com/p/gmap4_whats_new.html

Joseph, the Gmap4 guy

[hunter_mike]

The ability to see topo lines on aerials got such nice reviews that this feature is now built right into the program. From now on you do not need any special Gmap4 link to use this feature.

For more info please see the “What’s new” page:
http://www.mappingsupport.com/p/gmap4_whats_new.html

Joseph, the Gmap4 guy

[Jelf]

Columbia county WI has data layers available to the public including tax parcels but it doesn't look like it is the REST format:

http://www.co.columbia.wi.us/columbiacounty/Portals/5/lid/Available_Data_Layers.htm

The GIS boss for that county just sent me their REST endpoint:
http://lrs.co.columbia.wi.us/ArcGIS/rest/services

Here is a map zoomed in on a random spot in that county and showing their aerials. Whadayaknow - those aerials are 'leaf off'.

http://www.mappingsupport.com/p/gmap4.p ... rent=false

FYI - Yesterday Google broke the font sizes in my map menus. They will be fixed shortly.

Joseph, the Gmap4 guy

[hunter_mike]

Thanks Jelf that map is great. This is the answer I got from the WI DNR:

Dear Mr. Murdaugh -

Your e-mail was forwarded to me for a reply. The immediate answer to your question is that our agency currently lacks a Department-wide policy regarding external access to DNR map services that are used to display information about the location of lands available to the public for fishing, hunting, and other recreation opportunities. That information is currently presented through several DNR web mapping applications such as the Public Access Lands viewer: http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/Lands/PAL/ .

Here are examples of the concerns that have been expressed about direct external access to DNR map or data services:
* The need to adequately provide information about the limitations on the quality of data being accessed
* The need to adequately address potential DNR legal liability in case of unforeseen changes in the availability of map/data services
* The limited capacity of the servers DNR is currently using; we need to prepare for potentially significant increased server loads from external direct access to DNR application or data servers

The DNR recently hired a GIS Coordinator whose responsibilities will include coordinating GIS-related activities among the various programs and divisions at our agency and in providing strategic guidance for our GIS infrastructure. I believe that the active involvement of the GIS Coordinator will be needed to identify and implement a policy for responding to requests such as yours. The new GIS Coordinator is scheduled to begin work at the DNR in late March; I will make sure that your request is provided to that person as soon as possible. I will also work with the GIS Coordinator to engage with all DNR programs and divisions that are affected by this issue, and to promote a Department-wide policy to address requests such as yours.

Again, I am sorry not to be able to provide you with a more complete answer to your question. Thank you in advance for your patience.

Sincerely -

John Laedlein, GIS Data Consultant/Administrator
Bureau of Technology Services
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
Phone: 608.264.8914
E-mail: John.Laedlein@Wisconsin.gov

We are committed to service excellence.
Visit our survey at http://dnr.wi.gov/u/?q=85 to evaluate how I did.