Coastal Services Center

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do I use the Inventory Viewer?
   • Use the zoom slider tool on the left side of the map (or the mouse) to zoom to the area of interest. Alternatively, press shift and drag the mouse on the map to zoom to an area. Press Ctrl/Shift and drag the mouse on the map to zoom out. Click and drag the map to pan.
2. How do I find out more information about a data set?
   • Click on the map in the location of interest and a box will pop up showing the best available data sets for this area. Clicking on the data set will display up to 20 additional pieces of information.
3. How do I access a data set?
   • After clicking on the map, a pop-up box will list available data sets for the location of interest. Clicking on the data set will give you additional information, including a link to access the data, or a contact organization.
4. How do I navigate within the identify popup box?
   • The identify popup box initially shows all data sets available for the selected location. Move the mouse over the data sets to see them highlighted on the map. Click on the data set name to see more information about the data. To return to the list of available data sets, use the double arrows on the left side of the identify popup window.
5. How do I print a map?
   • By selecting the "Print Map" icon at the bottom of the map, a window will open that will allow you to print the map extent displayed on your screen. Be sure to choose the landscape setting for the best results.
6. What information is included in the Inventory?
   • The focus of the Inventory is to provide an index to high-accuracy topographic and bathymetric data sets. Some lower-resolution data sets are included if they are the best available for an area.
7. How was the Inventory developed?
   • The NOAA Coastal Services Center collected footprints of data from federal, state, regional, and county groups that have topographic or bathymetric data available (for free or for a small fee). Where possible, 20 additional attributes were collected to give users a better idea of data set quality. Initially, the Inventory was produced in the form of .pdf maps (like the Gulf of Mexico Inventory), but the Inventory is now displayed via the Inventory Viewer.
8. What does “Proprietary Lidar” mean?
   • This means that distribution of the data has restrictions, such as permitted use by certain organizations (federal or state organizations, etc.), or may have an access fee. Often, more information about restrictions for a particular data set is available in the “Restriction Type” section of the attributes (in the pop-up box).
9. Where can I find more information about topobathy data and surfaces?
   • The Roadmap to a Seamless Topobathy Surface contains information about datum conversion, data integration, and coastal applications. This website also provides links to Additional Topobathy Resources.
10. I know about a data set that is publicly available, but not included in the Inventory. Can it be added to the Inventory?
    • Please contact the Center so this data set can be included in an update to the regional inventory.