Data Layers

Data layers are divided into three major categories: (1) base map or background layers, (2) overlay reference layers, and (3) the flood hazard or risk layers. Many of the layers are scale-dependent and only display at certain map scales.

Base Map (Background) Layers

The WV Food Tool provides access to 12 base map layers from commercial and governmental web services. Road base map layers are useful for viewing the named features of roads, streams, and other points of interest. Topographic base layers are helpful for viewing the terrain. Photographic or satellite imagery base layers are useful for viewing structures and high resolution pictures of the earth's surface. The best leaf-off imagery layer includes high resolution imagery combined with the 2003 SAMB imagery.

Reference Layers

Overlay reference layers consist of vector framework layers such as transportation, hydrography, elevation contours, geographic names, boundaries, and addresses. Reference layers are generalized and more detailed at zoomed-out and zoomed-in scales, respectively, with all layers displayed at the largest zoom-in scale of 1:1,128.

Flood Layers

Flood layers encompass information about flood hazards and mitigating flood risks. The flood layers include the best available digital flood data from the FEMA Map Service Center. Certain flood layers (water surface elevation, water depth, x-sections, FEMA panel index, floodways, etc.) are only viewable in the Expert or Risk Map Views.