Generating high quality impervious cover data.

Abstract

Nonpoint source pollution (NPS) from urban or suburban areas is rapidly increasing as the population increases in the United States. Research in recent years has consistently shown a strong relationship between the percentage of impervious cover in a drainage basin and the health of the receiving stream. In this paper, we quantify the amount of impervious cover within 56 14-digit hydrologic unit codes (HUCs) in Frederick County, Maryland, USA. This test data set will help in the development of region-wide impervious cover estimation methodologies. The software, sampling and analysis systems were developed to yield accurate and reproducible results. Digital orthophoto quarter quadrangles (DOQQ) from the U.S. Geological Survey were chosen as the basic media for the analysis. Ground features were identified and categorized by human analysts with the help of Geographic Information System (GIS) software and a prototype "cover tool" extension.