National Hydrography Dataset

Part of United States mapping project.

The National Hydrography Dataset (NHD) is a United States-wide w:en:hydrography dataset produced by the United States Geological Survey (USGS). This dataset includes natural water features: coastline, ponds, rivers, streams, springs, waterfalls, bays, reefs, wetlands, etc. and man-made features, like wells, dams, pipelines, canals, reservoirs, and stream gauges. As a product of the US Government, the dataset is in the public domain. Due to this and the general high quality of the data, some regard it as suitable for import into OpenStreetMap, and some of those people have proceeded with importing. This page details the process, progress, and mapping as the dataset is imported. Please note that the quality of the data, therefore its suitability for importing, varies by location. In some areas, it is captured from recent satellite imagery and is up-to-date, while in other areas, features have been digitized from historic USGS quads, and are likely inaccurate. It is necessary to familiarize yourself with the NHD and its attributes before proceeding with the import process. Please read through this wiki before starting.

A previous method of importing NHD was to use a script that automatically uploaded the data to OSM. This method was stopped in 2012 due to the varying quality of the data.

A description of the dataset can be found here on the NHD website.

Getting the data

Video showing how to download NHD data

The data can be obtained from the USGS National Map download viewer, located here. Under All Subcategories, select National Hydrography Dataset (NHD). Under Data Extent, select HU-8 Subbasin. Find the layer selection in the top right, and under Selectable Polygons, select 8-digit HU (Subbasin). Select your subbasin, click Find Products, and click download in the Shapefile format.

Next steps

There are five shapefiles that contain data useful for OSM. These are: NHDFlowline, NHDWaterbody, NHDLine, NHDPoint, and NHDArea. Flowline contains linear water features and coastlines. Waterbody and Area contain waterbodies and wetlands. Line contains miscellaneous features, most of which are unclosed ways . Point has features like springs, wells, water tanks, and gauging stations. To keep things simple, you can work with only one at a time if necessary.

In JOSM

Using the opendata plugin, load the files into the editor. Because the quality varies, verify that the data matches recent satellite imagery and isn't traced from USGS maps. A more recent "FDate" is a good sign of quality data. Do not import if there are widespread inaccuracies! A good thing to do right away is to delete features with FCodes marked as unsuitable for OSM in the table below; this avoids unnecessary clutter. Also, using the search tool, select features with the key GNIS_Name and replace GNIS_Name with name=*.

Once you've loaded the data, it's recommended to use the Overpass API to download all of the water features that already exist in the area (coastline, waterway, natural=water, etc) in order to conflate the data. If the NHD is clearly better than existing data, carefully remove the existing water feature, making sure to download along the feature to avoid creating conflicts. Also make sure you replace relations that use the waterways like boundaries. This is a tedious process, and for good reason: we are building an accurate and usable map of the world, not one that only looks pretty and complete.

Past mistakes and NHD fixup

NHD used to be imported using a script that automatically uploaded a subbasin to OSM without any kind of quality assurance checks. There are many mistakes seen in these imported areas.

• Useless tags like NHD:FCode, NHD:ReachCode, etc. These provide no valuable information to the end user. These kinds of tags were common to leave in during old imports. However they make it easy to mechanically add intermittent=yes to streams with FCodes 46003 and 46007 on which the tag was left out for some reason.
• Tag mistakes.
  • stream=intermittent should be intermittent=yes
  • water=salt should be salt=yes
  • Not including intermittent=yes on FCode 46003 or 46007
  • waterway=artificial was used by some users. This is a made-up tag, it should be deleted or replaced with another waterway tag.
• Inaccurate shapes, especially with water areas.
• Duplicated nodes

Attributes-to-OSM-tags

The National Hydrography Dataset uses a system of feature codes to classify features, known as FCodes. The table below shows the best match of FCodes to OSM tags. This is the best fit for most NHD features. If something seems wrong, feel free to diverge from this guide: use your best judgement. Features marked with an  are not suitable for OSM. It's always best to use your judgement if you see features that look suspicious or out of place.

FCODE	Feature Type	OSM Tag	Description	Comments
30700	AREA TO BE SUBMERGED		Area
31200	BAY/INLET	natural=bay	Area
31800	BRIDGE	NHDLine: waterway=* with bridge=aqueduct. NHDArea: natural=water water=*	Area
33400	CONNECTOR	This varies depending on the waterway=*s it connects.	feature type only: no attributes
33600	CANAL/DITCH	Most are waterway=ditch, some need to be hand-edited to waterway=canal.	feature type only: no attributes
33601	CANAL/DITCH	waterway=canal bridge=aqueduct	Canal/Ditch Type|aqueduct
33603	CANAL/DITCH	waterway=drain	Canal/Ditch Type|stormwater
34300	DAM/WEIR	waterway=dam	feature type only: no attributes
34305	DAM/WEIR	waterway=dam	Construction Material|earthen
34306	DAM/WEIR	waterway=dam	Construction Material|nonearthen
36100	PLAYA	?	feature type only: no attributes
36200	FLUME	waterway=canal usage=transmission	feature type only: no attributes
36400	FORESHORE		feature type only: no attributes
36700	GAGING STATION	man_made=monitoring_station monitoring:water_level=yes operator=United States Geological Survey	feature type only: no attributes
36900	GATE	waterway=lock_gate??	feature type only: no attributes
37300	HAZARD ZONE		feature type only: no attributes
37800	ICE MASS	natural=glacier	feature type only: no attributes
39000	LAKE/POND	natural=water	feature type only: no attributes
39001	LAKE/POND	natural=water intermittent=yes	Hydrographic Category|intermittent
39004	LAKE/POND	natural=water	Hydrographic Category|perennial
39005	LAKE/POND	natural=water	Hydrographic Category|perennial; stage|high water elevation
39006	LAKE/POND	natural=water	Hydrographic Category|perennial; stage|date of photography
39009	LAKE/POND	natural=water	Hydrographic Category|perennial; stage|average water elevation
39010	LAKE/POND	natural=water intermittent=yes	Hydrographic Category|perennial; stage|normal pool
39011	LAKE/POND	natural=water	Hydrographic Category|perennial; stage|date of photography
39012	LAKE/POND	natural=water	Hydrographic Category|perennial; stage|spillway
39800	LOCK CHAMBER	lock=yes	feature type only: no attributes
40300	INUNDATION AREA	landuse=basin?	feature type only: no attributes
40307	INUNDATION AREA	natural=wetland intermittent=yes?	Inundation Control Status|not controlled
40308	INUNDATION AREA	natural=wetland intermittent=yes?	Inundation Control Status|controlled
40309	INUNDATION AREA	natural=wetland intermittent=yes?	Inundation Control Status|controlled, stage|flood elevation
41100	NONEARTHERN SHORE		feature type only: no attributes
42000	UNDERGROUND CONDUIT	man_made=pipeline waterway=pressurised location=underground	feature type only: no attributes
42001	UNDERGROUND CONDUIT		Positional Accuracy|definite
42002	UNDERGROUND CONDUIT		Positional Accuracy|indefinite
42003	UNDERGROUND CONDUIT		Positional Accuracy|approximate
42800	PIPELINE	man_made=pipeline	feature type only: no attributes
42801	PIPELINE	waterway=canal usage=transmission	Product|water; Pipeline Type|aqueduct; Relationship to Surface|at or near	Although the feature type is "pipeline," the USGS defines Pipeline Type Aqueduct as what is essentially a canal. But a pipeline tag may make more sense, so use that if it fits better.
42802	PIPELINE	waterway=canal usage=transmission bridge=aqueduct	Product|water; Pipeline Type|aqueduct; Relationship to Surface|elevated
42803	PIPELINE	waterway=canal usage=transmission tunnel=yes	Product|water; Pipeline Type|aqueduct; Relationship to Surface|underground
42804	PIPELINE	waterway=canal usage=transmission location=underwater tunnel=yes	Product|water; Pipeline Type|aqueduct; Relationship to Surface|underwater
42805	PIPELINE	man_made=pipeline substance=water location=overground	Product|water; Pipeline Type|general case; Relationship to Surface|at or near
42806	PIPELINE	man_made=pipeline substance=water location=overhead	Product|water; Pipeline Type|general case; Relationship to Surface|elevated
42807	PIPELINE	man_made=pipeline substance=water location=underground	Product|water; Pipeline Type|general case; Relationship to Surface|underground
42808	PIPELINE	man_made=pipeline substance=water location=underwater	Product|water; Pipeline Type|general case; Relationship to Surface|underwater
42809	PIPELINE	man_made=pipeline waterway=pressurised substance=water location=overground usage=penstock	Product|water; Pipeline Type|penstock; Relationship to Surface|at or near
42810	PIPELINE	man_made=pipeline waterway=pressurised substance=water location=overhead usage=penstock	Product|water; Pipeline Type|penstock; Relationship to Surface|elevated
42811	PIPELINE	man_made=pipeline waterway=pressurised substance=water location=underground usage=penstock	Product|water; Pipeline Type|penstock; Relationship to Surface|underground
42812	PIPELINE	man_made=pipeline waterway=pressurised substance=water location=underwater usage=penstock	Product|water; Pipeline Type|penstock; Relationship to Surface|underwater
42813	PIPELINE	man_made=pipeline + location=underground/overground orwaterway=canal tunnel=yes, verify with aerial imagery.	Product|water; Pipeline Type|siphon
42814	PIPELINE	man_made=pipeline substance=water	Product|water; Pipeline Type|general case
42815	PIPELINE	man_made=pipeline substance=water usage=penstock	Product|water; Pipeline Type|penstock
42816	PIPELINE	waterway=canal substance=water usage=transmission	Product|water; Pipeline Type|aqueduct
42820	PIPELINE	man_made=pipeline substance=water	Product|water; Pipeline Type|stormwater
42821	PIPELINE	man_made=pipeline substance=water location=overground	Product|water; Pipeline Type|stormwater; Relationship to Surface|at or near
42822	PIPELINE	man_made=pipeline substance=water location=overhead	Product|water; Pipeline Type|stormwater; Relationship to Surface|elevated
42823	PIPELINE	man_made=pipeline substance=water location=underground	Product|water; Pipeline Type|stormwater; Relationship to Surface|underground
42824	PIPELINE	man_made=pipeline substance=water location=underwater	Product|water; Pipeline Type|stormwater; Relationship to Surface|underwater
43100	RAPIDS		feature type only: no attributes
43400	REEF	natural=reef	feature type only: no attributes	Some of these are unclosed ways. Make sure to close them.
43600	RESERVOIR	natural=water water=reservoir	feature type only: no attributes
43601	RESERVOIR	natural=water water=reservoir landuse=aquaculture	Reservoir Type|aquaculture
43603	RESERVOIR	natural=water	Reservoir Type|decorative pool
43604	RESERVOIR	natural=water water=reservoir reservoir_type=tailings	Reservoir Type|tailings pond; Construction Material|earthen
43605	RESERVOIR	natural=water water=reservoir reservoir_type=tailings	Reservoir Type|tailings pond
43606	RESERVOIR	natural=water water=reservoir reservoir_type=disposal	Reservoir Type|disposal
43607	RESERVOIR	natural=water water=reservoir reservoir_type=evaporator	Reservoir Type|evaporator
43608	RESERVOIR	leisure=swimming_pool	Reservoir Type|swimming pool
43609	RESERVOIR	natural=water water=reservoir	Reservoir Type|treatment-cooling pond
43610	RESERVOIR	natural=water water=reservoir	Reservoir Type|treatment-filtration pond
43611	RESERVOIR	natural=water water=reservoir	Reservoir Type|treatment-settling pond
43612	RESERVOIR	natural=water water=reservoir	Reservoir Type|treatment-sewage treatment pond
43613	RESERVOIR	NHDPoint: man_made=reservoir_covered NHDWaterbody: natural=water water=reservoir	Reservoir Type|water storage; Construction Material|nonearthen
43614	RESERVOIR	natural=water water=reservoir intermittent=yes	Reservoir Type|water storage; Construction Material|earthen; Hydrographic Category|intermittent
43615	RESERVOIR	natural=water water=reservoir	Reservoir Type|water storage; Construction Material|earthen; Hydrographic Category|perennial
43617	RESERVOIR	natural=water water=reservoir?	Reservoir Type|water storage
43618	RESERVOIR	natural=water water=reservoir	Reservoir Type|unspecified; Construction Material|earthen
43619	RESERVOIR	natural=water water=reservoir	Reservoir Type|unspecified; Construction Material|nonearthen
43621	RESERVOIR	natural=water water=reservoir	Reservoir Type|water storage; Hydro Cat|perennial
43623	RESERVOIR	natural=water water=reservoir reservoir_type=evaporator	Reservoir Type|evaporator; construction material|earthen
43624	RESERVOIR	natural=water water=reservoir reservoir_type=sewage	Reservoir Type|treatment
43625	RESERVOIR	natural=water water=reservoir reservoir_type=disposal	Reservoir Type|disposal; construction material|earthen
43626	RESERVOIR	natural=water water=reservoir reservoir_type=disposal	Reservoir Type|disposal; construction material|non-earthen
44100	ROCK	natural=rock seamark:type=rock	feature type only: no attributes
44101	ROCK	natural=rock seamark:type=rock seamark:rock:water_level=awash	Relationship to Surface|abovewater
44102	ROCK	natural=rock seamark:type=rock seamark:rock:water_level=submerged	Relationship to Surface|underwater
44500	SEA/OCEAN		feature type only: no attributes
45000	SINK/RISE	natural=sinkhole sinkhole=ponor | optional: karst=yes	feature type only: no attributes
45400	SPECIAL USE ZONE		feature type only: no attributes
45401	SPECIAL USE ZONE		Special Use Zone Type|dump site; Operational Status|operational
45402	SPECIAL USE ZONE		Special Use Zone Type|dump site; Operational Status|abandoned
45403	SPECIAL USE ZONE		Special Use Zone Type|spoil area; Operational Status|operational
45404	SPECIAL USE ZONE		Special Use Zone Type|spoil area; Operational Status|abandoned
45500	SPILLWAY	natural=water water=canal usage=spillway	feature type only: no attributes
45800	SPRING/SEEP	natural=spring	feature type only: no attributes
46000	STREAM/RIVER	waterway=stream	feature type only: no attributes
46003	STREAM/RIVER	waterway=stream intermittent=yes	Hydrographic Category|intermittent
46006	STREAM/RIVER	waterway=stream	Hydrographic Category|perennial
46007	STREAM/RIVER	waterway=stream intermittent=yes	Hydrographic Category|ephemeral
46100	SUBMERGED STREAM		feature type only: no attributes
46600	SWAMP/MARSH	natural=wetland	feature type only: no attributes
46601	SWAMP/MARSH	natural=wetland intermittent=yes	Hydrological category|intermittent
46602	SWAMP/MARSH	natural=wetland	Hydrological category|perennial
47800	TUNNEL	Either man_made=pipeline + location=underground or waterway=canal/ditch + tunnel=yes.	feature type only: no attributes
48300	WALL	barrier=wall	feature type only: no attributes
48400	WASH	natural=sand, or natural=water intermittent=yes.	feature type only: no attributes	Washes only contain water very rarely, so does natural=water intermittent=yes make sense?
48500	WATER INTAKE/OUTFLOW		feature type only: no attributes
48700	WATERFALL	waterway=waterfall	feature type only: no attributes
48800	WELL	man_made=water_well	feature type only: no attributes
49300	ESTUARY		feature type only: no attributes
50300	SOUNDING DATUM LINE		feature type only: no attributes
50301	SOUNDING DATUM LINE		Positional Accuracy|approximate
50302	SOUNDING DATUM LINE		Positional Accuracy|definite
53300	SPECIAL USE ZONE LIMIT		feature type only: no attributes
53301	SPECIAL USE ZONE LIMIT		Positional Accuracy|definite
53302	SPECIAL USE ZONE LIMIT		Positional Accuracy|indefinite
53700	AREA OF COMPLEX CHANNELS	natural=water?	feature type only: no attributes	An area of complex channels is described by the USGS as a river area where there is a constantly-changing network of channels. Does it make sense to use natural=water? It doesn't make sense to map out the complex channels because they continuously change position.
55800	ARTIFICIAL PATH	waterway=river	feature type only: no attributes
56600	COASTLINE	natural=coastline	feature type only: no attributes
56800	LEVEE	man_made=dyke	feature type only: no attributes

Progress

Watersheds are categorized by 2- and 4-digit basins. Water-only areas such as the Great Lakes are excluded.

Unnecessary = the water data in the area are already sufficient.

01 - New England Region

0101

Watershed	NHDFlowline	NHDWaterbody	NHDArea	NHDLine	NHDPoint

Watershed	Status
01010001	Not mapped
01010002	Not mapped
01010003	Not mapped
01010004	Not mapped
01010005	Not mapped

0102

Watershed	NHDFlowline	NHDWaterbody	NHDArea	NHDLine	NHDPoint

Watershed	Status
01020001	Not mapped
01020002	Not mapped
01020003	Not mapped
01020004	Not mapped
01020005	Not mapped

0103

Watershed	NHDFlowline	NHDWaterbody	NHDArea	NHDLine	NHDPoint

Watershed	Status
01030001	Not mapped
01030002	Not mapped
01030003	Not mapped

0104

Watershed	NHDFlowline	NHDWaterbody	NHDArea	NHDLine	NHDPoint

Watershed	Status
01040001	Not mapped
01040002	Not mapped

0105

Watershed	NHDFlowline	NHDWaterbody	NHDArea	NHDLine	NHDPoint

Watershed	Status
01050001	Not mapped
01050002	Not mapped
01050003	Not mapped

0106

Watershed	NHDFlowline	NHDWaterbody	NHDArea	NHDLine	NHDPoint

Watershed	Status
01060001	Not mapped
01060002	Not mapped
01060003	Not mapped

0107

Watershed	NHDFlowline	NHDWaterbody	NHDArea	NHDLine	NHDPoint

Watershed	Status
01070001	Not mapped
01070002	Not mapped
01070003	Not mapped
01070004	Not mapped
01070005	Not mapped

0108

Watershed	NHDFlowline	NHDWaterbody	NHDArea	NHDLine	NHDPoint

Watershed	Status
01080101	Not mapped
01080102	Not mapped
01080103	Not mapped
01080104	Not mapped
01080105	Not mapped
01080106	Not mapped
01080107	Not mapped
01080201	Not mapped
01080202	Not mapped
01080203	Not mapped
01080204	Not mapped
01080205	Not mapped
01080206	Not mapped
01080207	Not mapped

0109

Watershed	NHDFlowline	NHDWaterbody	NHDArea	NHDLine	NHDPoint

Watershed	Status
01090001	Not mapped
01090002	Not mapped
01090003	Not mapped
01090004	Not mapped
01090005	Not mapped

0110

Watershed	NHDFlowline	NHDWaterbody	NHDArea	NHDLine	NHDPoint

Watershed	Status
01100001	Not mapped
01100002	Not mapped
01100003	Not mapped
01100004	Not mapped
01100005	Not mapped
01100006	Not mapped

02 - Mid Atlantic Region

0201

Watershed	NHDFlowline	NHDWaterbody	NHDArea	NHDLine	NHDPoint

Watershed	Status
02010001	Not mapped
02010002	Not mapped
02010003	Not mapped
02010004	Not mapped
02010005	Not mapped
02010006	Not mapped
02010007	Not mapped

0202

Watershed	NHDFlowline	NHDWaterbody	NHDArea	NHDLine	NHDPoint

Watershed	Status
02020001	Not mapped
02020002	Not mapped
02020003	Not mapped
02020004	Not mapped
02020005	Not mapped
02020006	Not mapped
02020007	Not mapped
02020008	Not mapped

0203

Watershed	NHDFlowline	NHDWaterbody	NHDArea	NHDLine	NHDPoint

Watershed	Status
02020101	Not mapped
02030102	Not mapped
02030103	Not mapped
02030104	Not mapped
02030105	Not mapped
02030201	Not mapped
02030202	Not mapped

0204

Watershed	NHDFlowline	NHDWaterbody	NHDArea	NHDLine	NHDPoint

Watershed	Status
02040101	Not mapped
02040102	Not mapped
02040103	Not mapped
02040104	Not mapped
02040105	Not mapped
02040106	Not mapped
02040201	Not mapped
02040202	Not mapped
02040203	Not mapped
02040205	Not mapped
02040206	Not mapped
02040207	Not mapped
02040301	partial
02040302	partial

0205

Watershed	NHDFlowline	NHDWaterbody	NHDArea	NHDLine	NHDPoint

Watershed	Status
02050101	Not mapped
02050102	Not mapped
02050103	Not mapped
02050104	Not mapped
02050105	Not mapped
02050106	Not mapped
02050107	Not mapped
02050201	Not mapped
02050202	Not mapped
02050203	Not mapped
02050204	Not mapped
02050205	Not mapped
02050206	Not mapped
02050301	Not mapped
02050302	Not mapped
02050303	Streams

0206

Watershed	NHDFlowline	NHDWaterbody	NHDArea	NHDLine	NHDPoint

Watershed	Status
02060001	Not mapped
02060002	Not mapped
02060003	Not mapped
02060004	Not mapped
02060005	Not mapped
02060006	Not mapped
02060007	Not mapped
02060008	Not mapped
02060009	Not mapped
02060010	Not mapped

0207

Watershed	NHDFlowline	NHDWaterbody	NHDArea	NHDLine	NHDPoint

Watershed	Status
02070001	Not mapped
02070002	Not mapped
02070003	Not mapped
02070004	Not mapped
02070005	Not mapped
02070006	Not mapped
02070007	Not mapped
02070008	Not mapped
02070009	Not mapped
02070010	Not mapped
02070011	Not mapped

0208

Watershed	NHDFlowline	NHDWaterbody	NHDArea	NHDLine	NHDPoint

Watershed	Status
02080102	Not mapped
02080103	Not mapped
02080104	Not mapped
02080105	Not mapped
02080106	Not mapped
02080107	Not mapped
02080108	Not mapped
02080109	Not mapped
02080110	Not mapped
02080201	Not mapped
02080202	Not mapped
02080203	Needs fixup
02080204	Not mapped
02080205	Not mapped
02080206	Not mapped
02080207	Needs fixup
02080208	Needs fixup

05 - Ohio Region

0501

Watershed	NHDFlowline	NHDWaterbody	NHDArea	NHDLine	NHDPoint

0502

Watershed	NHDFlowline	NHDWaterbody	NHDArea	NHDLine	NHDPoint

0503

Watershed	NHDFlowline	NHDWaterbody	NHDArea	NHDLine	NHDPoint

0504

Watershed	NHDFlowline	NHDWaterbody	NHDArea	NHDLine	NHDPoint

0505

Watershed	NHDFlowline	NHDWaterbody	NHDArea	NHDLine	NHDPoint

0506

Watershed	NHDFlowline	NHDWaterbody	NHDArea	NHDLine	NHDPoint

0507

Watershed	NHDFlowline	NHDWaterbody	NHDArea	NHDLine	NHDPoint

0508

Watershed	NHDFlowline	NHDWaterbody	NHDArea	NHDLine	NHDPoint

0509

Watershed	NHDFlowline	NHDWaterbody	NHDArea	NHDLine	NHDPoint
05090101	Not mapped	Not mapped	Not mapped	Not mapped	Not mapped
05090102	Not mapped	Not mapped	Not mapped	Not mapped	Not mapped
05090103	Not mapped	Not mapped	Not mapped	Not mapped	Not mapped
05090104	Not mapped	Not mapped	Not mapped	Not mapped	Not mapped
05090201	Not mapped	Not mapped	Not mapped	Not mapped	Not mapped
05090202	Not mapped	Not mapped	Not mapped	Not mapped	Not mapped
05090203	Not mapped	Not mapped	Not mapped	Not mapped	Not mapped

0510

Watershed	NHDFlowline	NHDWaterbody	NHDArea	NHDLine	NHDPoint

0511

Watershed	NHDFlowline	NHDWaterbody	NHDArea	NHDLine	NHDPoint

0512

Watershed	NHDFlowline	NHDWaterbody	NHDArea	NHDLine	NHDPoint

0513

Watershed	NHDFlowline	NHDWaterbody	NHDArea	NHDLine	NHDPoint

0514

Watershed	NHDFlowline	NHDWaterbody	NHDArea	NHDLine	NHDPoint

See also

• NHD Rules - old mapping

External links

• National Hydrography Dataset website
• Description of the NHD data