GIS Information

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A Geographic Information System (GIS) is a computerized mapping tool that helps people analyze things that happen on the earth. As the name implies, geography is the heart of GIS. However, GIS goes beyond printing paper maps. It helps people answer the "where, when, and why" to many problems. For example, GIS can be used to find the most efficient routes for emergency vehicles or delivery services, or even calculate taxes for a land assessment. Chances are, if your question is tied to geography, it can be answered with GIS.

For more information about how GIS works, visit the ESRI, Inc. web site, www.esri.com

The Battle Creek Watershed Project uses GIS to inventory and analyze the county's natural resources, and determine the potential impacts of human actions. Current GIS applications include:

• Creation of a land use coverage, including cropland, pasture, Conservation Reserve Program, forest, urban, and recreational.
• Analysis of rural well water samples to determine water quality trends in private wells.
• Creation of a groundwater vulnerability map to indicate areas of special concern regarding pollution potential.
• On-farm planning using the digital soil survey, Global Positioning Systems, and various data sources.
• Inventory of conservation practices.
• Development of a protocol for whole farm planning.