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Overview
of Maps
& Data
Quickview
of Data
These "zoomable" maps
allow the user
to quickly view
the selection
of land cover
and impervious
surface datasets
developed to date.
These include,
two time periods,
~1990 and ~2000,
for the state
of Minnesota ,
and four time
periods 1986,
1991, 1998, 2002
for the Twin Cities
Metropolitan Area
(TCMA). Viewing
of impervious
surface data is
enhanced by maps
which also display
it in the context
of the change
in the degree
of imperviousness
between time periods.
More
Detail
This "MapServer" application
allows the user
to view maps and
statistics for
land cover and
impervious surface
by county, city,
ecoregion, lakeshed
and watershed.
Data
Download
This
link allows the
user to download
the data for use
in their own GIS
software. We ask
you to fill out
a brief survey
before downloading
simply to track
the level of interest
in this type of
research.
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What
are Impervious
Surfaces? Any
surface that
is not penetrable
by water.
From an urban
standpoint,
this includes
streets, parking
lots, sidewalks,
and building
roof tops.
Past studies
have proven
that transportation
elements contribute
the most to
impervious
surface area.
Why
do we need
to know the
spatial extent
of impervious
surfaces? Impervious
surfaces
have several
adverse
environmental
impacts.
In many
cases,
the amount,
or percentage
of a landscape
that is
impervious
can help
us determine
the extent
of environmental
impact.
Some of the
more important
environmental
impacts
are water
quality,
water
quantity,
and the
urban
heat
island
effects.
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