The National Map—Prototype Graphic Product

The National Map is a consistent framework of geographic information for the public. It provides access to high-quality, geospatial data and information from multiple partners to help support decision making. The vision is that, by working with partners, the public will have access to current, accurate, and nationally consistent digital data and topographic maps.

The 1:24,000-scale topographic map has been the primary U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) map series product for nearly a century. Historically, this map was created manually from newly derived spatial data. USGS has been developing new topographic-like map products using existing current digital data collected and integrated through partnerships with state and local agencies. The creation of prototype graphic products assumes that new products can be produced, maintained, and updated in a reduced amount of time at lower costs than by traditional means. Further, this product is designed to be generated as geocoded raster products as well as hard-copy maps.

The National Map prototype 1:24,000-scale maps were produced from integrated partnerships and USGS data covering the Denver metropolitan and surrounding areas. The data, all 1:24,000 scale or better, represents local, state, and federal cooperative data sets. Data was collected and integrated as part of the USGS 133-city Denver pilot project and is stored in ArcSDE at the USGS Rocky Mountain Mapping Center. The maps depict the USGS Lafayette/Louisville, Colorado, and Conifer, Colorado, 7.5-minute series areas and illustrate the seamless quality and other properties of the data.

These prototype graphics incorporated ArcMap tools for color generation, uniform symbology, and raster graphic generation. To produce advanced, flexible text placement without conflicts, Maplex tools were used in the production process.