Geographic Information System (GIS) Maps
Geographic Information System (GIS) maps have become indispensable tools for state agencies for visualizing spatial data, analyzing patterns, and making informed decisions. State of Wyoming agencies that utilize GIS offer many different maps, including PDFs and interactive web maps for the public. These include State Parks, the Wyoming State Geological Survey, the Wyoming Office of Homeland Security, and the Enhanced Oil Recovery Institute. Interactive web maps allow users to explore data layers, perform spatial queries, and extract relevant information.
State Parks’ Off-Road Vehicle (ORV) and Over Snow Vehicle (OSV) maps were created in conjunction with the USFS to provide accurate and up-to-date trail maps across Wyoming on mostly Federal lands.
The georeferenced PDFs work with apps such as Avenza Maps to show your location on the map even if you’re outside of cell service. They are available offline and in print and are utilized by thousands of people across the state and country.
The Wonder Map is an interactive map that shows all types of recreational activities, including museums, restaurants, lodging, and shopping.
Download the Wonder Map app, and you can plot your adventures across Wyoming!
The Monuments and Markers Map is an online web mapping application of geological features, historical events, and influential figures that helped shape Wyoming’s history.
The Wyoming Office of Homeland Security manages two unique GIS use cases regarding emergency management.
The WOHS SAR Viewer offers an interactive map of search and rescue operations, including locations, resources deployed, and outcomes within the state. It contains maps, charts, statistics, and links to news stories and resources providing a view of SAR activities in Wyoming.
Data is provided by SAR personnel in Wyoming via a survey, with available data going back as far as 2009, with over 4,000 records added. Users can navigate through the various resources, viewing maps and charts that show the data broken down by county, subject activity, mission type, and subject residency, as well as a view of when missions have occurred over time.
Users can also filter the data by many of the same categories to dynamically update the available maps and charts, providing user-defined views of the data.
The WOHS Training Viewer provides a comprehensive overview of training, exercises, and events related to homeland security in Wyoming.
This tool aids in the coordination, planning, and tracking of homeland security efforts within Wyoming, helping to ensure preparedness and response capabilities are maintained and improved.
The WOHS Training, Exercise, and Event Viewer provides a place for the emergency management community to view, post, and broadcast upcoming training, exercises, and events to others in the community.
Users can search and filter through the various items presented and navigate to the provided links to learn more and subsequently sign up to attend and participate.
Items are added to the viewer via a survey, allowing the community to broadcast upcoming training, exercises, and events to others in the region. Since 2021, over 400 course offerings have been added and broadcast on the training viewer alone.
Both of these resources can be found on the Wyoming Information Sharing Platform (WISP) (arcgis.com).
Whether it is information on mineral resources found across the state or geologic hazards that occur here, the Wyoming State Geological Survey (WSGS) probably has an interactive map that can aid in your research. For nearly a decade, the survey has developed various online maps, making it easier to provide public access to data and offer up-to-date information.
Currently, the suite of WSGS online maps consist of:
Mineral Resources in Wyoming,
Geology of Yellowstone Map,
Groundwater Atlas of Wyoming, (GW_atlas.jpg)
Interactive Oil and Gas Map of Wyoming,
Geologic and Topographic Map Index of Wyoming,
Wyoming Geologic Hazards Map, and
Wyoming Geothermal Map.
All maps are free to access, and WSGS staff can assist you in using the products if necessary.
The WSGS began offering these online products in 2016 with the oil and gas map. At the time, the interactive map complemented and enhanced the Survey’s traditional paper Oil and gas Map of Wyoming.
Not only did the online version—a dynamic product—provide additional data, but the platform made it possible to offer updated information more frequently than the paper map—a static snapshot in time.
Since the inaugural map, the WSGS has launched new standalone online products. Staff have also added new layers to existing maps tied to new publications.
The goal is to continue making current and easy-to-access data available to the public.
The Enhanced Oil Recovery Institute (EORI) Wyoming Pipeline Infrastructure Viewer (WPIV) map application provides a user-friendly platform for discovering and analyzing Wyoming’s pipeline and associated infrastructure data to encourage pipeline development. Users may request access by filling out a short form.
Key features include:
Accessible data discovery on your desktop, tablet, or smartphone
Customizable layers and symbology for gas processing and refining plants and oil and gas fields
Option to upload data layers from your computer
Save projects and queries for future use
In addition to the WPIV map, the EORI has other interactive maps that cover CO2 infrastructure, the Wyoming Pipeline Corridor Initiative, and the Wyoming Reservoir Information Tool (WyRIT), which will have a new release coming soon.
As you can see, geographical information systems play an important part in Wyoming. There’s been monumental news regarding the Wyoming State Plane Coordinate system from the 2024 Legislative Budget session, and we’ll cover that more next month!