The nominal scale is 1:62,500. As of 2003, the data are typically distributed in geographic coordinates (longitude and latitude), decimal degrees, and the North American Datum (NAD) of 1983, and this is the default spatial reference of the ArcSDE feature dataset in which the data are stored. The data were originally developed, however, in a custom Lambert Conformal Conic projection and were distributed in that coordinate system for several years.
The data were digitized in the late 1960s and in 1984-85 from 7.5- and 15-minute USGS topographic quadrangles. Errors in the location of a given feature are dependent on the accuracy of the original maps and on the accuracy of digitizing. Estimates are that features have an average locational error of at least plus/minus 100 feet.
For more information on the origin of the data set, refer to the metadata for the IL_Public_Land_Survey_System feature dataset. Also refer to ISGS Circular 451 (ILLIMAP - A Computer-Based Mapping System for Illinois, Swann, DuMontelle, Mast & Van Dyke, 1970). That publication discusses the original digitizing work, coordinate conversions, and the accuracy of the results.
The database was maintained by the ISGS Computer Services Unit under Van Dyke's direction until 1985 at which time the data were converted to an Arc/Info coverage. The conversion was accomplished by Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI) of Redlands, California, working under contract with the ISGS via the Illinois Department of Energy and Natural Resources and its Lands Unsuitable for Mining Program. The remaining one third of the state was digitized from 7.5-minute quadrangles at this time (1984-85.)
In 2003 the data set was transitioned from the ESRI ArcInfo coverage data model to the ESRI ArcSDE enterprise geodatabase data model. The data are stored in an Oracle relational database management system (RDBMS) and maintained using ArcGIS software.
Recent updates to the data:
In March, 1998 the data set as it stood was designated Edition 1.0 for metadata and version management purposes.
Edition 1.0 of these data were reviewed for internal logical consistency in March, 1998. As a result, several unneeded .AAT and .PAT items were dropped, tics were replaced, three dangling arcs were corrected and COVER-ID values were recalculated to be unique. See logical consistency report and process steps for March, 1998 for more details. The updated data set was designated edition 1.1.
In June, 2003 the data set was transitioned to storage in an Oracle RDBMS using the ArcSDE geodatabase model. At that time this metadata document was significantly updated. The result (and most current edition) is designated Edition 2.0.
Illinois State Geological Survey, 1984, 199803, 200306, Illinois PLSS Townships: ISGS GIS Database GISDB.IL_PLSS_Township_Range_Py, Illinois State Geological Survey, Champaign, Illinois.
This is a Vector data set. It contains the following vector data types (SDTS terminology):
Horizontal positions are specified in geographic coordinates, that is, latitude and longitude. Latitudes are given to the nearest 0.000001. Longitudes are given to the nearest 0.000001. Latitude and longitude values are specified in Decimal degrees.
The horizontal datum used is North American Datum of 1983.
The ellipsoid used is Geodetic Reference System 80.
The semi-major axis of the ellipsoid used is 6378137.000000.
The flattening of the ellipsoid used is 1/298.257222.
| Value | Definition |
|---|---|
| 0 | false |
| 1 | true |
| Value | Definition |
|---|---|
| 0 | false |
| 1 | true |
| Value | Definition |
|---|---|
| 0 | not part of a base line |
| 2 | part of the 1805 base line in southern Indiana associated with the 2nd principal meridian |
| 3 | part of the 1805 base line in southern Illinois associated with the 3rd principal meridian |
| 4 | part of the 1815 base line in western Illinois associated with the 4th principal meridian |
| Value | Definition |
|---|---|
| 0 | not part of a principal meridian |
| 2 | part of the 2nd principal meridian |
| 3 | part of the 3rd principal meridian |
| 4 | part of the 4th principal meridian |
| Value | Definition |
|---|---|
| 0 | not a boundary between areas mapped from different meridians and base lines |
| 23 | boundary between areas mapped from the 2nd and 3rd principal meridians |
| 34 | boundary between areas mapped from the 3rd and 4th principal meridians |
| Value | Definition |
|---|---|
| 2 | Mapped from the 2nd Principal Meridian and 1805 base line in southern Indiana |
| 3 | Mapped from the 3rd Principal Meridian and 1805 base line in southern Illinois |
| 4 | Mapped from the 4th Principal Meridian and 1815 base line in western Illinois |
| Range of values | |
|---|---|
| Minimum: | 1 |
| Maximum: | 46 |
| Range of values | |
|---|---|
| Minimum: | 1 |
| Maximum: | 14 |
| Value | Definition |
|---|---|
| E | east |
| W | west |
| Value | Definition |
|---|---|
| N | north |
| S | south |
Polygon attributes identify meridian, township, range.
These data are appropriate for use in local and regional thematic analysis. The data are not appropriate as a geodetic, legal or engineering base. The data set was originally created for the purpose of producing maps of well locations in Illinois for geologic research by the ISGS and others. It serves as an important base cartographic element for many types of maps and has been widely distributed and used outside the ISGS. The data set was not and is not intended as a substitute for surveyed locations, such as can be determined by a registered Public Land Surveyor. Although useful in a GIS as a reference base layer for maps, the data set has no legal basis in the definition of boundaries or property lines.
United States Geological Survey, varies from circa 1921 to 1979, USGS 7.5- and 15-minute topographic quadrangles: Topographic quadrangles various.
An internal logical consistency check was performed in March, 1998. Refer to the Logical Consistency report. As a result, the following changes/updates were made to the data:
TICS - The data set had eight tics along the northern border of the state. For better tic distribution, these were replaced with ten tics from quad100 from the ISGS GISDB archive, evenly distributed around the state. However, users needing registration tics for use with these data (or a subset of these data) should expect to create a task-specific tic set, usually based on section corners.
REMOVAL OF ITEMS - The following empty .AAT items were dropped: STATE2C.OLD#, STATE2C.OLD-ID, ORIG-ID, SYMBOL, SYMB.
UNIQUE COVER-ID VALUES - COVER-ID values in the .AAT and .PAT were calculated to equal (COVER# - 1) in order to make them unique.
At this time it was decided to maintain a record of GIS versions of this data set. The data set prior to review was (arbitrarily) designated Edition 1.0. Upon completion of the review, the data set was designated as Edition 1.1.
Person who carried out this activity:
The various coverage feature classes were imported using ArcCatalog 8.2. Some fields that are redundant with the IL_Public_Land_Survey_System feature dataset were dropped.
Prior to import, the spatial reference of the data set was changed to Geographic, decimal degrees, NAD83 in double precision. The previous spatial reference was the customary ISGS Lambert Conformal Conic projection.
Also at this time, this metadata file was considerably rewritten and updated.
Person who carried out this activity:
The attributes of the ArcInfo coverage from which these data were derived were reviewed in 1990 using a variety of visual techniques (polygon shading, line shading and line thicknesses tied to attribute values) and GIS processing techniques (checking for logical consistency). Arc attribute values were verified by generating plots with arcs color-coded by designation. These were visually checked for errors. Polygon attribute values were verified in a similar manner.
There is no quantitative assessment of attribute accuracy available, however, this coverage has been used extensively by ISGS and DNR personnel since 1984, and it can be assumed most attribute errors have been detected and corrected. There are no know arc or polygon attribute values outside the appropriate value domains.
The data were initially digitized in the late 1960s and early 1970s from 7.5- and 15-minute USGS topographic maps, and that work comprises approximately two-thirds of the present data set. The accuracy was stated as follows: "For the townships digitized from 7.5-minute quadrangles, 95.2 percent of the ILLIMAP distances are within 100 feet of the recorded plat distances, and all are within 180 feet. In townships digitized from 15-minute quadrangles, 82.5 percent of the ILLIMAP distances are within 100 feet of the plat distances, and 98.7 percent are within 200 feet." For more information on the original accuracy of the data set, see ISGS Circular 451 (ILLIMAP - A Computer-Based Mapping System for Illinois, Swann, DuMontelle, Mast & Van Dyke, 1970).
In 1985 the data were converted to an Arc/Info coverage. The conversion was accomplished by Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI) of Redlands, California, working under contract with the ISGS via the Illinois Department of Energy and Natural Resources and its Lands Unsuitable for Mining Program. The remaining one third of the state was digitized from 7.5-minute quadrangles at this time (1984-85.) Details of the digitizing process are unavailable. It is reasonable to assume the positional accuracy was improved for newly digitized areas. However, it is also likely there was some degradation to the positional accuracy of the previously existing data due to automated coverage processing, for example, the use of the ArcEdit CLEAN command.
Subsequently, the horizontal positional accuracy was spot verified by manual overlay of source and hard-copy plots. Arcs within line-width of source maps were deemed acceptable. The size of the sample set is unknown. Errors in the location of a given feature are dependent on the accuracy of the original maps and on the accuracy of digitizing. Current estimates are that features in the data set have an average locational error of at least plus/minus 100 feet.
The source maps are subject to USGS mapping accuracy standards.
All known Indian Treaty boundary lines from the source maps are included. Some data were digitized from USGS 7.5-minute topographic quadrangles, and some from 15-minute quadrangles. As a result, scale varies within the coverage.
For a description of the logical consistency analysis performed on the original ILLIMAP data in the late 1960s and early 1970s, see the section entitled Accurracy of ILLIMAP on pages 12-15 of ISGS Circular 451.
A logical consistency review was performed in March, 1998. At that time the data were maintained in ArcInfo coverage format.
The following checks were made:
The data set was DESCRIBED and coverage files listed to determine the feature types present. In this data set, the following feature types were found and checked: polygons, arcs, labels, nodes, and annotation. The presence of spatial indices was also checked.
For PAT and AAT files, each item was checked for the following: domain of allowable values, adherence of values to the domain, definition of attribute items, requirement of all unique values for an item, logic of items redefined over other items, and length of item name as regards conversion to shapefile format.
The topology status of the data set was checked, as were LABELERRORS, NODEERRORS (if appropriate), and the PROJECTION definition.
The presence of a BND file was verified.
The presence and location of TICS were checked.
Polygon and chain-node topology present. There are no dangling arcs. There is one polygon label per polygon, except for universe polygon. Boundary values appropriate for map projection and map units. "Fuzzy" tolerance is suitable for nominal scale. Several unneeded .AAT and .PAT items were dropped, tics were replaced, three dangling arcs were corrected, and COVER-ID values were recalculated to be unique. See process steps for March, 1998. There are no attribute values outside the appropriate domains.
Are there legal restrictions on access or use of the data?
- Access_Constraints: none
- Use_Constraints:
- Reproduction or redistribution of copyrighted digital data sets or products derived therefrom outside of licensee's organization or entity is expressly forbidden. The only exception is redistribution to consultants working for the licensee, and then only for purposes, related to work for the licensee. Such consultants may not further reproduce or redistribute these data sets. None of these data shall be electronically duplicated on magnetic or optical media for use by others, in whole or in part, without permission of DNR.
Any hardcopies utilizing DNR data sets shall clearly indicate their source. If the licensee has modified the data in any way they are obligated to describe the types of modifications they have performed on the hardcopy map. Licensee specifically agrees not to misrepresent DNR data sets, nor to imply that changes they made were approved by DNR.
217-333-4747 (voice)
isgs@isgs.uiuc.edu
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (DNR) provides these geographic data "as is." DNR makes no guarantee or warranty concerning the accuracy of information contained in the geographic data. DNR further makes no warranties, either expressed or implied as to any other matter whatsoever, including, without limitation, the condition of the product, or its fitness for any particular purpose. The burden for determining fitness for use lies entirely with the user. Although these data have been processed successfully on computers of DNR, no warranty, expressed or implied, is made by DNR regarding the use of these data on any other system, nor does the fact of distribution constitute or imply any such warranty.In no event shall the DNR have any liability whatsoever for payment of any consequential, incidental, indirect, special, or tort damages of any kind, including, but not limited to, any loss of profits arising out of use of or reliance on the geographic data or arising out of the delivery, installation, operation, or support by DNR.
The data are intended for use with GIS software. The ISGS uses ESRI ArcGIS software, however, the ESRI shapefile format can be imported into many different GIS software packages. It is expected that customers who order this data have the technical expertise to use GIS software. The ISGS does not provide software support of any kind.