This dataset contains the Florida subset of the National Waterway Network, which is a comprehensive network database of the nation's navigable waterways. The nominal scale of the dataset varies with the source material. The majority of the information is at 1:100,000 with larger scales used in harbor/bay/port areas and smaller scales used in open waters. This is an update to the btsww_2015 layer.

The GeoPlan Center took the following steps during the QA/QC process: - Downloaded the dataset from BTS on 7/5/12/2018 using this link: https://osav-usdot.opendata.arcgis.com/ (original dataset in shapefile format and in the WGS 1984 geographic coordinate system). - Dataset projected into the FGDL Albers HPGN projection using WGS_1984_(ITRF00)_To_NAD_1983 + NAD_1983_To_HARN_Florida. - Only features in Florida and the surrounding area were desired, so the features were selected by their geographic location and exported to a new layer. - DESCRIPT field added based on the RIVERNAME field. Any records with no data in the RIVERNAME field had their DESCRIPT field calculated as 'NO DESCRIPT AVAILABLE'. - FGDLAQDATE field added based on the date the dataset was downloaded from source. - The field DIR was removed due to lack of data. - Deleted SHAPESTLEN field. - The longest record for each field was found and field character lengths were shortened to the appropriate shortest length possible. - Uppercased fields and appropriate records in the dataset. - Layer name changed from Navigable_Waterway_Lines.shp to btsww_2018.shp.

Distribution_Liability:

The Florida Geographic Data Library is a collection of Geospatial Data
compiled by the University of Florida GeoPlan Center with support from
the Florida Department of Transportation. GIS data available in FGDL is
collected from various state, federal, and other agencies (data sources)
who are data stewards, producers, or publishers. The data available in
FGDL may not be the most current version of the data offered by the
data source. University of Florida GeoPlan Center makes no guarantees
about the currentness of the data and suggests that data users check
with the data source to see if more recent versions of the data exist.

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

NAVIGABLE WATERWAY NETWORK IN FLORIDA - 2018

Metadata: