The file naming convention of the riparian vegetation mapping project adheres, with a slight variation, to the U.S. Geologic Survey's method of coding 7.5' Quadrangles. The first two digits represent the Latitude, the next three digits represent the Longitude, and the final two digits represent the numbered quadrangle within the Latitude/Longitude Block. Each Latitude/Longitude block has 64 quadrangles with the point of origin being at the lower right hand corner. From that point, the Y-axis is labeled sequentially 1-8 (the USGS uses A-H) as is the X-axis. The last two numbers of the quad code represent the numeric Y and X value. The CDOW then simply places a "Q" in front of the quadrangle code to avoid problems with certain software packages that will not recognize a purely numeric file. If we use the shaded quadrangle below as an example, it would receive the following file designation: Q3910545 (USGS = Q39105D5).
Example of a single Lat/Long Block
SGS Lat/Long Map for Colorado
The FTP site has been modified to aide in download efficiency as more data has been collected. If you have visited this site before, you will now notice that the site contains zip files based on the lat/long blocks shown above. When you ftp a zip file, you are getting a file that contains ArcInfo export files of all the data that we currently have available within a 1:100,000 block. In addition, the zip file contains ArcView legend files (.avl and .lyr) for your use as well as a copy of the classification scheme. The blocks shown on the index above are 1 degree by 1 degree. The zip files split each of these blocks into a 'north' half and a 'south' half so that the maximum number of export files that any one zip file will contain is 32. See the index below for further reference on selecting what you are interested in. It is also a good idea to cross reference our Status Map to see if we have any data available for your area of interest. The naming convention used on the zip files is based on the blocks below. For instance, if you know you want data in the Pikes Peak area, that is block 38105. You would need to download Q38105A1.zip as well as Q38105E1.zip to obtain all data we have for the area as well as any other adjacent blocks that may be of interest.
Both the line and polygon features are imbedded in a single ArcInfo Export File. This was done for data management purposes, simplicity of file transfer, and for ease of plotting. Two legend files are provided for your convenience; one for the polygon data (rippoly.avl) and one for the line data (ripline.avl). These legend files can be loaded via the Legend Editor in ArcView. These are suggested color schemes only and can be changed to match your personal preferences. Currently the quads are downloadable by their USGS name (however the actual file name will follow the Lat/Long conventions).
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