Off-Shore: NOAA Charts vary in scale. Larger scale charts were used in harbor/port areas, while smaller scale charts were used in open water. For channels, sea lanes, and Intracoastal Waterways, shape points were placed as needed to ensure that link segments fall within waterway boundaries.
Inland: Links digitized from 1:100,000 DLG files, or large scale NOAA charts are the most accurate representations. Shape points were placed as needed to ensure that link segments fall between waterway shorelines. Links derived from Corps milepoints have shape points approximately one mile apart. The Corps milepoints were mainly derived from 1:24,000 and 1:100,000 scale maps. Therefore, the shape points derived from Corps milepoints are often as accurate as shape points derived from 1:100,000 DLG files. However, line segments connecting the shape points may not accurately represent the curvature of the waterway.
Furthermore, the GIS data available in the FGDL are provided 'as is'. The University of Florida GeoPlan Center makes no warranties, guaranties or representations as to the truth, accuracy or completeness of the data provided by the data sources. The University of Florida GeoPlan Center makes no representations or warranties about the quality or suitability of the materials, either expressly or implied, including but not limited to any implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, or non-infringement. The University of Florida GeoPlan Center shall not be liable for any damages suffered as a result of using, modifying, contributing or distributing the materials.
A note about data scale:
Scale is an important factor in data usage. Certain scale datasets are not suitable for some project, analysis, or modeling purposes. Please be sure you are using the best available data.
1:24000 scale datasets are recommended for projects that are at the county level. 1:24000 data should NOT be used for high accuracy base mapping such as property parcel boundaries. 1:100000 scale datasets are recommended for projects that are at the multi-county or regional level. 1:125000 scale datasets are recommended for projects that are at the regional or state level or larger.
Vector datasets with no defined scale or accuracy should be considered suspect. Make sure you are familiar with your data before using it for projects or analysis. Every effort has been made to supply the user with data documentation. For additional information, see the References section and the Data Source Contact section of this documentation. For more information regarding scale and accuracy, see our webpage at: <http://geoplan.ufl.edu/education.html>