Framework Data


What is it? Simply put, framework data are the basics. They are the map layers that are of the most use to the most people. It includes categories like transportation, boundaries, and topography.


For the past several years, IGIC members, workgroups and committees have been working together to identify and define framework data. Below is a list of that data, grouped by category and showing specific layers in each.


Click on one of the category names to see descriptions and what's available. Click again to view and download data through the web map services website, a project made possible through a partnership between the Indiana Geological Survey, the Indiana Counter-Terrorism and Security Council, and IGIC.


1. Boundaries & Governmental Units
2. Cadastral Information
3. Elevation
4. Geodetic Control
5. Hydrography
6. Ortho-Imagery
7. Transportation


1. Boundaries and Governmental Units
The different types of boundaries the government uses to organize itself and information.
Layer
Description
PLSS - COUNTY (LINE) The Public Land Survey System that show the county boundaries as lines.
PLSS - COUNTIES (POLYGON) The Public Land Survey System that show the county boundaries as polygons.
PLSS - STATE (LINE) The Public Land Survey System that show the State boundary as a line.
PLSS - STATE (POLYGON) The Public Land Survey System that show the State boundary of Indiana as a polygon.
Census Blocks The smallest geographic unit used by the U.S. Census Bureau for collecting and reporting information.
Census Blockgroups An area that includes several Census blocks.
Census Tracts An area made up of Blockgroups and designed to include 2,500 to 8,000 people whose boundaries change infrequently.
U.S. Congressional Districts [109th Congressional Districts] Voting districts for the 109th session of the U.S. House of Representatives.
State House Districts [114 Gen. Assembly - House] The boundaries of Indiana House Districts.
State Senate Districts [114 Gen. Assembly - Senate] The boundaries of Indiana Senate Districts.
USGS Quadrangle (1:100,000) This is the grid index for USGS 1:100,000 scale mapping. Each polygon includes the official USGS map (quadrangle) name and index number.
USGS Quadrangle (1:24,000) This is the grid index for USGS 7.5-minute (1:24,000-scale) scale mapping. Dates of publication and photorevision of paper maps published by the U.S. Geological Survey are also provided.
USGS Quadrangle (1:250,000) This is the grid index for USGS 1:250,000 scale mapping. Each polygon includes the official USGS map (quadrangle) name and index number.

2. Cadastral Information
This is the basis for all land ownership mapping. It is used to show past, current and future rights and interest in real property, surveys, legal descriptions, parcels, cadastral reference systems (e.g. PLSS, and publicly administered parcels (military, state parks, etc.))
Layer
Description
PLSS - SECTIONS (LINE) The Public Land Survey System showing land survey section boundaries as lines.
PLSS - SECTIONS (POLYGONS) The Public Land Survey System showing land survey section boundaries as polygons.
PLSS - TOWNSHIPS (LINE) The Public Land Survey System showing township and range lines in line format.
PLSS - TOWNSHIPS (POLYGON) The Public Land Survey System showing township and range lines as polygons.

3. Elevation
These show topography and elevations of land surfaces.
Layer
Description
Contours - 1:24,000 USGS Elevation contours from the U.S. Geological Survey.
Digital Elevation Model An alternative way to display elevation.

4. Geodetic Control
A network of carefully measured points that can be used as a reference for surveys or to establish or measure accuracy in map making.
Layer
Description
BENCHMARKS (INDOT) Permanent elevation markers. They may be brass, bronze and typically in concrete.

5. Hydrography
All the water bodies and wetlands.
Layer
Description
Hydrography Lines All streams, rivers, canals, and ditches.
Hydrography Polygons Larger lakes, ponds, rivers, large streams, and swamps or marshes.
Wetland Lines Wetlands, lakes, ponds, streams and other water resources. Intended to be used with the Wetland Polygons dataset.
Wetland Polygons Wetlands, lakes, ponds, streams and other water resources. Intended to be used with the Wetland Lines dataset.

6. Ortho-Imagery
Aerial photographic images that are enhanced to have the properties of a map.
Layer
Description
2003 NAIP Aerial Photos 1 meter resolution color aerial photography. The images have been orthorectified and show summer leaf foliage. They are available only by county and in MrSID file format.
1998-99 Aerial Photos 1 meter Black and white aerial photography that has been orthorectified.
Topographical Maps Scanned image of the classical U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) topographic map.

7. Transportation
Layer
Description
HIGHWAYS (INDOT) Interstate, U.S. and state highways
RAILROAD 100K (NTAD) The rail system in Indiana. Includes old railways that have been abandoned.