Great Lakes Bathymetry

Ideas

Process of creating a 3D map of the area

Resources

• OceansMap, a well-aggregated set of realtime data about major bodies of water around the world, including the Great Lakes region
• Historical maps from the Army Corps of Engineers
• Portal for Great Lakes Observing System information from the Integrated Ocean Observing system
• Downloadable Great Lakes bathymetric maps from NOAA
• Google maps
• Further information from the Great Lakes Information Network
• The National Map combines many of the above resources
• The USGS Earth Explorer is easier to use than the above, but requires a login and download client

Workflow

1. Download shapefiles from Natural Earth or other files from NOAA. Superior bathymetry with lower (resolution?) is available here, with login
2. Download and install QGIS and Inkscape
3. Open with QGIS Desktop, realize the data is only for oceans...
4. Download bathymetry information from each lake from NOAA here
5. No need to extract files, open each in QGIS Desktop
6. Add OpenStreetMap information (not working at this time, probably missed a step)
7. Right-click shapefile in left layers panel, select Properties
8. Choose Filter, then create expression, e.g. "DEPTH" IN ('0', '1', '25', '50', '60')

It is helpful to use the Values box (make sure "Use unfiltered layer" is checked if changing an applied filter) to see the extent of the map

Other Sources

• Earth satellite imagery from USGS, esp. those over time
• ArcGIS contour map of the Great Lakes