3D Hydrography (3DHP) Interest Group

On January 28, 2025, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) announced several pivotal milestones in their 3D Hydrography Program (3DHP) at their Quarterly Hydrography Community Call. Announcements included the newly released 3DHP annual data products for 2024, a demo of USGS's updated 3DHP data web site, USGS publishing of their latest 3DHP specification document, and finally providing a sneak peak of the new USGS HydroAdd3D tool currently under development. 

A YouTube Recording of this meeting can be viewed [HERE].  A summary of the highlights is provided below:

Quarterly Hydrography Updates (Presenter: Steve Aichele)

1. Completion of the Watershed Boundary Dataset (WBD):
• The WBD dataset has been finalized and locked as legacy data. It is accessible via national and regional formats and will transition to new feature services.
• In the future, the drainage areas (WBD) will be derived from the 3D Hydrography Program (3DHP) data using aggregated catchments.
2. Launch of 3DHP Data and Feature Services:
• 3DHP datasets for FY24 are now available in both Geodatabase and GeoPackage formats, including separate datasets for both Alaska and CONUS.
• In addition to Map Service a new feature service offers enhanced speed and flexibility for querying large datasets and custom cartography.
3. Updated Elevation-Derived Hydrography (EDH) Specifications:
• The updated specifications guide data producers to ensure consistency with evolving task orders and agreements.
• Coordination with ongoing GPSC projects is important to ensure the correct version of these specifications is used for production. (e.g. For planning and new projects use the "Elevation-Derived Hydrography Data Acquisition Specifications is 2024 rev. A2". For ongoing (current delivery) projects use the "Elevation-Derived Hydrography Data Acquisition Specifications is 2023 rev. A2".
• To explore the latest 3DHP product specifications - https://www.usgs.gov/ngp-standards-and-specifications/3d-hydrography-program-product-specification
4. Data Access Portal Demonstration:
• Steve showcased the newly revamped data access page, which integrates legacy links and newly available services for easier navigation and dataset downloads
• To explore the latest 3DHP data products and access the updated datasets - https://www.usgs.gov/3d-hydrography-program/access-3dhp-data-products

Special Presentation: HydroAdd3D Tool Sneak Peak (Presenter: Mike Tinker)

LINK: https://www.usgs.gov/ngp-user-engagement-office/news/3d-hydrography-program-announcements-and-hydroadd3d-sneak-peak

1. Introduction to HydroAdd3D:

• A next-generation tool designed to address large-scale geospatial data against the new 3DHP. It replaces the first-generation HydroAdd used with the retired NHD.
• Built to overcome limitations like slow processing and inefficiencies in handling large datasets.

2. New Features and Capabilities:

• Batch processing and publishing of vast datasets are now significantly faster with open-source tools like GeoServer and GeoNode, moving away from ArcGIS Online.
• Enables crosswalking from legacy NHD reach codes to the new 3DHP mainstem system.
• Enhanced support for dense hydrography data like pesticide monitoring and fish distribution databases.

3. 3D Capabilities:

• HydroAdd3D supports 3D Z-coordinates for accurate elevation mapping and aligns with new workflows for EDH-derived hydrographic datasets.
• Designed to handle braided streams and create reliable dendritic network traces.

4. Open-Source Hosting Transition:

• HydroAdd3D leverages GeoServer and GeoNode for hosting and managing data, reducing costs and increasing performance compared to proprietary platforms. (e.g. current testing shows 347 times faster than AGOL, and expect even better performance deployed in the cloud).

5. Future Development:

• Plans to integrate cloud-based scalability for even faster processing.
• Upcoming features include tools for line addressing, polygon handling, and more advanced query capabilities.

6. HydroAdd3D pilot projects discussed during the presentation:

• Wild and Scenic Rivers Project (Alaska):
• Used HydroAdd to address both designated and eligible Wild and Scenic Rivers.
• Northeast Stream Temperature Database:

·       Managed by the U.S. Forest Service. Involved addressing approximately 8,300 points, with HydroAdd3D dramatically improving processing speeds for publishing and quality control.

• California Surface Water Database (SURF):

·       Managed by the California Department of Pesticide Regulation. Includes over 1 million chemical pollutant records in surface water streams.

·       HydroAdd3D improved batch processing and publishing time significantly, reducing previously lengthy operations.

• Fish Habitat Distribution Database (Oregon):

·       Maintained by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. Tracks nearly 103,000 records for 91 fish species.

• Forest Service Fish Species Distribution Database (Region 6):

·       Contains approximately 141,000 records of fish species distribution in Region 6. A complex dataset involving many non-continuous line events, requiring advanced tools for batch quality control.

These pilot projects illustrate HydroAdd3D's initial ability to handle diverse and dense hydrography datasets, while USGS continues to improve efficiency and scalability for future applications.

7. The role of the Internet of Water (IoW) in 3DHP.

The IoW plays a pivotal role in supporting the modernization of hydrography through the 3DHP by serving as a critical data-sharing and connectivity framework. Here's why the IoW is essential to this effort:

• Unified Data Access and Integration:

The IoW facilitates seamless sharing of hydrography data, ensuring that diverse datasets-such as those from 3DHP, water quality monitoring, and elevation-derived hydrography-are accessible in real-time to users across federal, state, and local agencies.

• Geoconnex and Mainstem ID Integration:

Within the IoW, unique identifiers like 3DHP mainstem IDs are linked to geospatial data services, allowing users to find and trace hydrographic features such as rivers and streams within a broader hydrologic network. This integration supports improved analysis and decision-making.

• Data Discovery and Transparency:

By leveraging IoW's connectivity, 3DHP data can be shared in a way that makes it discoverable and referenceable, enabling users to interact with datasets through advanced tools like REST services, APIs, and web interfaces.

• Advancing Collaboration:

The IoW fosters partnerships among stakeholders-government agencies, researchers, and communities-by providing a common platform for exchanging hydrography and water resource data.

• Support for Real-Time Decision Making:

The IoW framework ensures up-to-date and accurate hydrography data is available for critical applications, such as flood management, water quality assessment, and habitat protection.

The IoW's infrastructure is integral to the success of the 3DHP initiative, providing the digital backbone for modern hydrography tools and datasets to support improved water resource management, planning, and analysis.

Summary

These announcements mark a significant step forward in modernizing hydrography with the USGS's 3D Hydrography Program (3DHP). By leveraging tools like HydroAdd3D and integrating with the Internet of Water (IoW), states and agencies can transform their existing workflows to take advantage of these existing and emerging national resources to achieve better scalability, accuracy, and decision-making capabilities.

For states and local governments, now is the time to begin planning for this critical transition. The first step to align with national hydrography standards is to replace your legacy Hydro/NHD/WBD datasets with the USGS's 2024 3DHP annual snapshot just published. Next, incorporate this 3DHP data into your planning, prioritize existing event datasets for migration, and build awareness among stakeholders about the benefits of these advancements. Then, prepare to integrate with the IoW to ensure your state's hydrography data is discoverable, interoperable, and future-ready. Together, these steps will lay the groundwork for leveraging the full power of 3DHP once HydroAdd3D becomes available. Don't wait-start planning today! *

Get the latest information about 3DHP from the USGS home page - https://www.usgs.gov/3d-hydrography-program

Stay informed about future Hydrography Community Calls and access additional resources by visiting the Hydrography Community Calls page - https://www.usgs.gov/3d-hydrography-program/hydrography-community-calls

*Footnote: I'm currently drafting up some planning ideas and next steps that I will post here soon!

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Philip Worrall
Retired
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