Soil Survey Geographic (SSURGO) database for Franklin County, Pennsylvania


Identification_Information:
Citation:
Citation_Information:
Originator: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service
Publication_Date:20240904
Title:
Soil Survey Geographic (SSURGO) database for Franklin County, Pennsylvania
Publication_Information:
Publication_Place:Fort Worth, Texas
Publisher: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service
Other_Citation_Details:
pa055
Online_Linkage: https://websoilsurvey.sc.egov.usda.gov/
Description:
Abstract:
This data set is a digital soil survey and generally is the most
detailed level of soil geographic data developed by the National
Cooperative Soil Survey. The information was prepared by digitizing
maps, by compiling information onto a planimetric correct base
and digitizing, or by revising digitized maps using remotely
sensed and other information.

This data set consists of georeferenced digital map data and
computerized attribute data. The map data are in a soil survey area
extent format and include a detailed, field verified inventory
of soils and nonsoil areas that normally occur in a repeatable
pattern on the landscape and that can be cartographically shown at
the scale mapped. A special soil features layer (point and line
features) is optional. This layer displays the location of features
too small to delineate at the mapping scale, but they are large
enough and contrasting enough to significantly influence use and
management. The soil map units are linked to attributes in the
National Soil Information System relational database, which gives
the proportionate extent of the component soils and their properties.
Purpose:
SSURGO depicts information about the kinds and distribution of soils on the landscape. The soil map and data used in the SSURGO product were prepared by soil scientists as part of the National Cooperative Soil Survey.
Supplemental_Information:
Digital versions of hydrography, cultural features, and other
associated layers that are not part of the SSURGO data set may be
available from the primary organization listed in the Point of
Contact.
Time_Period_of_Content:
Time_Period_Information:
Range_of_Dates/Times:
Beginning_Date:20000829
Ending_Date:20240904
Currentness_Reference:
publication date
Status:
Progress:Complete
Maintenance_and_Update_Frequency:As needed
Spatial_Domain:
Bounding_Coordinates:
West_Bounding_Coordinate:-78.099
East_Bounding_Coordinate:-77.454
North_Bounding_Coordinate:40.290
South_Bounding_Coordinate:39.720
Keywords:
Theme:
Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus:None
Theme_Keyword:soil survey
Theme_Keyword:soils
Theme_Keyword:Soil Survey Geographic
Theme_Keyword:SSURGO
Place:
Place_Keyword_Thesaurus: Counties and County Equivalents of the States of the United States and the District of Columbia (FIPS Pub 6-3)
Place_Keyword:Pennsylvania
Place:
Place_Keyword_Thesaurus: Counties and County Equivalents of the States of the United States and the District of Columbia (FIPS Pub 6-3)
Place_Keyword:Franklin County
Place:
Place_Keyword_Thesaurus:USGS Topographic Map Names Data Base
Place_Keyword:Big Cove Tannery Quadrangle
Place_Keyword:Blairs Mills Quadrangle
Place_Keyword:Blue Ridge Summit Quadrangle
Place_Keyword:Burnt Cabins Quadrangle
Place_Keyword:Caledonia Park Quadrangle
Place_Keyword:Chambersburg Quadrangle
Place_Keyword:Cherry Run Quadrangle
Place_Keyword:Clear Spring Quadrangle
Place_Keyword:Doylesburg Quadrangle
Place_Keyword:Fannettsburg Quadrangle
Place_Keyword:Greencastle Quadrangle
Place_Keyword:Hagerstown Quadrangle
Place_Keyword:Iron Springs Quadrangle
Place_Keyword:Mason and Dixon Quadrangle
Place_Keyword:McConnellsburg Quadrangle
Place_Keyword:Mercersburg Quadrangle
Place_Keyword:Newburg Quadrangle
Place_Keyword:Roxbury Quadrangle
Place_Keyword:Scotland Quadrangle
Place_Keyword:Shade Gap Quadrangle
Place_Keyword:Shippensburg Quadrangle
Place_Keyword:Smithsburg Quadrangle
Place_Keyword:Saint Thomas Quadrangle
Place_Keyword:Walnut Bottom Quadrangle
Place_Keyword:Waynesboro Quadrangle
Place_Keyword:Williamson Quadrangle
Access_Constraints:None
Use_Constraints:
The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation
Service, should be acknowledged as the data source in products
derived from these data.

This data set is not designed for use as a primary regulatory tool
in permitting or citing decisions, but may be used as a reference
source. This is public information and may be interpreted by
organizations, agencies, units of government, or others based on
needs; however, they are responsible for the appropriate
application. Federal, State, or local regulatory bodies are not to
reassign to the Natural Resources Conservation Service any
authority for the decisions that they make. The Natural Resources
Conservation Service will not perform any evaluations of these maps
for purposes related solely to State or local regulatory programs.

Photographic or digital enlargement of these maps to scales greater
than at which they were originally mapped can cause misinterpretation
of the data. If enlarged, maps do not show the small areas of
contrasting soils that could have been shown at a larger scale. The
depicted soil boundaries, interpretations, and analysis derived from
them do not eliminate the need for onsite sampling, testing, and
detailed study of specific sites for intensive uses. Thus, these data
and their interpretations are intended for planning purposes only.
Digital data files are periodically updated. Files are dated, and
users are responsible for obtaining the latest version of the data.
Point_of_Contact:
Contact_Information:
Contact_Organization_Primary:
Contact_Organization:U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service
Contact_Position:State Soil Scientist
Contact_Address:
Address_Type:mailing address
Address:
USDA-NRCS
Address:
359 East Park Drive, Suite 2
City:Harrisburg
State_or_Province:PA
Postal_Code:17111-2747
Contact_Voice_Telephone:717-237-2207
Contact_TDD/TTY_Telephone:7172372235
Contact_Facsimile_Telephone:717-237-2238
Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address:Yuri.Plowden@usda.gov
Cross_Reference:
Citation_Information:
Originator: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service
Publication_Date:1975
Title:
Soil Survey of Franklin County, Pennsylvania
Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form:atlas
Other_Citation_Details:
This soil survey contains information that can be applied in managing farms and wetlands; in selecting sites for roads, ponds, buildings, and other structures; and in judging the suitability of tracts of land for farming, industry, and recreation. This soil survey depicts information about the kinds and distribution of soils on the landscape. The soil map and data used in the SSURGO product were prepared by soil scientists as part of the National Cooperative Soil Survey.
Back to Top
Data_Quality_Information:
Attribute_Accuracy:
Attribute_Accuracy_Report:
The attribute accuracy is tested by manual
comparison of the source with hard copy plots and/or symbolized
display of the map data on an interactive computer graphic system.
Selected attributes that cannot be visually verified on plots or
on screen are interactively queried and verified on screen. In
addition, the attributes are tested against a master set of valid
attributes. All attribute data conform to the attribute codes in
the signed classification and correlation document and amendment(s).
Logical_Consistency_Report:
Certain node/geometry and topology GT- polygon/chain relationships
are collected or generated to satisfy topological requirements
(the GT-polygon corresponds to the soil delineation). Some of these
requirements include: chains must begin and end at nodes, chains
must connect to each other at nodes, chains do not extend through
nodes, left and right GT-polygons are defined for each chain
element and are consistent throughout, and the chains representing
the limits of the file are free of gaps. The tests of logical
consistency are performed using vendor software. All internal
polygons are tested for closure with vendor software and are checked
on hard copy plots. All data are checked for common soil lines (i.e.,
adjacent polygons with the same label). Edge locations generally do
not deviate from centerline to centerline by more than 0.01 inch.

The Soil Survey of Franklin County, Pennsylvania is edgematched to
the adjacent SSURGO certified Pennsylvania Soil Surveys of Adams
County and Fulton County and the adjacent SSURGO certified Maryland
Soil Surveys of Frederick County, and Washington County. Most feature
edges and feature labels in the Franklin County Soil Survey match the
feature edges and feature labels in the adjacent certified
Pennsylvania soil surveys. The soil survey area boundaries match.
Completeness_Report:
A map unit is a collection of areas defined and named the same in
terms of their soil and/or nonsoil areas. Each map unit differs
in some respect from all others in a survey area and is uniquely
identified. Each individual area is a delineation. Each map unit
consists of one or more components.

Soil scientists identify small areas of soils or miscellaneous
(nonsoil) areas that have properties and behavior significantly
different than the named soils in the surrounding map unit. These
minor components may be indicated as special features. If they
have a minimal effect on use and management, or could not be
precisely located, they may not be indicated on the map.

Specific National Cooperative Soil Survey standards and procedures
were used in the classification of soils, design and name of map
units, and location of special soil features. These standards are
outlined in Agricultural Handbook 18, Soil Survey Manual, 1993,
USDA, SCS; Agricultural Handbook 436, Soil Taxonomy, Soil Survey
Staff, 1975, USDA, SCS; and all Amendments; Keys to Soil Taxonomy,
Soil Survey Staff, (current issue); National Soil Survey
Handbook, title 430-VI,(current issue).

The actual composition and interpretive purity of the map unit
delineations were based on data collected by scientists during
the course of preparing the soil maps. Adherence to National
Cooperative Soil Survey standards and procedures is based on
peer review, quality control, and quality assurance. Quality
control is outlined in the memorandum of understanding for the
soil survey area and in documents that reside with the Natural
Resources Conservation Service state soil scientist. Four kinds
of map units are used in soil surveys: consociations, complexes,
associations, and undifferentiated groups.

Consociations - Consociations are named for the dominant soil. In
a consociation, delineated areas are dominated by a single soil
taxon and similar soils. At least one half of the pedons in each
delineation are of the same soil component so similar to the
named soil that major interpretations are not affected
significantly. The total amount of dissimilar inclusions of
other components in a map unit generally does not exceed about
15 percent if limiting and 25 percent if nonlimiting. A single
component of a dissimilar limiting inclusion generally does not
exceed 10 percent if very contrasting.

Complexes and associations - Complexes and associations are named
for two or more dissimilar components with the dominant component
listed first. They occur in a regularly repeating pattern. The major
components of a complex cannot be mapped separately at a scale of
about 1:24,000. The major components of an association can be
separated at a scale of about 1:24,000. In each delineation of
either a complex or an association, each major component is normally
present, though their proportions may vary appreciably from one
delineation to another. The total amount of inclusions in a map unit
that are dissimilar to any of the major components does not exceed
15 percent if limiting and 25 percent if nonlimiting. A single kind
of dissimilar limiting inclusion usually does not exceed 10 percent.

Undifferentiated groups - Undifferentiated groups consist of two
or more components that do not always occur together in the same
delineation, but are included in the same named map unit because
use and management are the same or similar for common uses. Every
delineation has at least one of the major components and some may
have all of them. The same principles regarding proportion of
inclusions apply to undifferentiated groups as to consociations.

Minimum documentation consists of three complete soil profile
descriptions that are collected for each soil added to the legend,
one additional per 3,000 acres mapped; three 10 observation
transects for each map unit, one additional 10 point transect per
3,000 acres.

A defined standard or level of confidence in the interpretive
purity of the map unit delineations is attained by adjusting the
kind and intensity of field investigations. Field investigations
and data collection are carried out in sufficient detail to name
map units and to identify accurately and consistently areas of
about 5 acres.
Positional_Accuracy:
Horizontal_Positional_Accuracy:
Horizontal_Positional_Accuracy_Report:
The accuracy of these digital data is based upon their
compilation to base maps that meet National Map Accuracy
Standards. The difference in positional accuracy between the
soil boundaries and special soil features locations in the
field and their digitized map locations is unknown. The
locational accuracy of soil delineations on the ground varies
with the transition between map units.

For example, on long gently sloping landscapes the transition
occurs gradually over many feet. Where landscapes change
abruptly from steep to level, the transition will be very
narrow. Soil delineation boundaries and special soil features
generally were digitized within 0.01 inch of their locations on
the digitizing source. The digital map elements are edge matched
between data sets. The data along each quadrangle edge are
matched against the data for the adjacent quadrangle. Edge
locations generally do not deviate from centerline to centerline
by more than 0.01 inch.
Lineage:
Source_Information:
Source_Citation:
Citation_Information:
Originator: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service
Publication_Date:1975
Title:
Soil Survey of Franklin County, Pennsylvania
Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form:atlas
Publication_Information:
Publication_Place:Washington, D.C.
Publisher:U.S. Government Printing Office
Source_Scale_Denominator:15840
Type_of_Source_Media:paper
Source_Time_Period_of_Content:
Time_Period_Information:
Single_Date/Time:
Calendar_Date:1975
Source_Currentness_Reference:
publication date
Source_Citation_Abbreviation:
SCS1
Source_Contribution:
basic reference about soils and landscapes
Source_Information:
Source_Citation:
Citation_Information:
Originator: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service
Publication_Date:1988
Title:
multiple aerial photographs
Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form:remote sensing image
Publication_Information:
Publication_Place:Fort Worth, Texas
Publisher: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service
Source_Scale_Denominator:24000
Type_of_Source_Media:paper
Source_Time_Period_of_Content:
Time_Period_Information:
Single_Date/Time:
Calendar_Date:1988
Source_Currentness_Reference:
publication date
Source_Citation_Abbreviation:
SCS2
Source_Contribution:
field mapping materials
Source_Information:
Source_Citation:
Citation_Information:
Originator: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service
Publication_Date:1988
Title:
multiple 7.5 minute analog orthophotograph quadrangles
Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form:remote sensing image
Publication_Information:
Publication_Place:Fort Worth, Texas
Publisher: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service
Source_Scale_Denominator:24000
Type_of_Source_Media:stable-base material
Source_Time_Period_of_Content:
Time_Period_Information:
Single_Date/Time:
Calendar_Date:1988
Source_Currentness_Reference:
publication date
Source_Citation_Abbreviation:
SCS3
Source_Contribution:
base maps for compilation
Source_Information:
Source_Citation:
Citation_Information:
Originator:U.S. Geological Survey
Publication_Date:1973 - 1998
Title:
multiple 7.5 minute topographic quadrangles
Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form:map
Publication_Information:
Publication_Place:Reston, Virginia
Publisher:U.S. Geological Survey
Source_Scale_Denominator:24000
Type_of_Source_Media:paper
Source_Time_Period_of_Content:
Time_Period_Information:
Range_of_Dates/Times:
Beginning_Date:1973
Ending_Date:1998
Source_Currentness_Reference:
publication date
Source_Citation_Abbreviation:
USGS1
Source_Contribution:
landscape shape, aspect, and slope reference
Source_Information:
Source_Citation:
Citation_Information:
Originator: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service
Publication_Date:unpublished material
Title:
annotated compilation overlays
Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form:map
Source_Scale_Denominator:24000
Type_of_Source_Media:stable-base material
Source_Time_Period_of_Content:
Time_Period_Information:
Range_of_Dates/Times:
Beginning_Date:1995
Ending_Date:1998
Source_Currentness_Reference:
date of compilation
Source_Citation_Abbreviation:
NRCS1
Source_Contribution:
scanning source
Source_Information:
Source_Citation:
Citation_Information:
Originator: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service
Publication_Date:unpublished material
Title:
multiple characterization and statistical data for unpublished county update
Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form:map
Source_Scale_Denominator:24000
Type_of_Source_Media:paper
Source_Time_Period_of_Content:
Time_Period_Information:
Range_of_Dates/Times:
Beginning_Date:1989
Ending_Date:1998
Source_Currentness_Reference:
date of field mapping
Source_Citation_Abbreviation:
NRCS2
Source_Contribution:
information for soil map unit delineations,
special feature locations, data on soil properties
Source_Information:
Source_Citation:
Citation_Information:
Originator: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service
Publication_Date:2000
Title:
National Map Unit Interpretation Records (MUIR) database for Franklin County, Pennsylvania
Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form:tabular digital data
Publication_Information:
Publication_Place:Fort Worth, Texas
Publisher: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service
Type_of_Source_Media:online
Source_Time_Period_of_Content:
Time_Period_Information:
Single_Date/Time:
Calendar_Date:2000
Source_Currentness_Reference:
edit date in the ssarea table
Source_Citation_Abbreviation:
NRCS3
Source_Contribution:
tabular soil property data linked to
spatial soil data
Source_Information:
Source_Citation:
Citation_Information:
Originator: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service
Publication_Date:2000
Title:
Soil Survey Geographic (SSURGO) database for Franklin County, Pennsylvania
Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form:vector digital data
Publication_Information:
Publication_Place:Fort Worth, Texas
Publisher: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service, National Cartography and Geospatial Center
Source_Scale_Denominator:24000
Type_of_Source_Media:online
Source_Time_Period_of_Content:
Time_Period_Information:
Single_Date/Time:
Calendar_Date:2000
Source_Currentness_Reference:
date of publication
Source_Citation_Abbreviation:
NRCS4
Source_Contribution:
source for digital revision
Source_Information:
Source_Citation:
Citation_Information:
Originator: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service
Publication_Date:2003
Title:
National Soil Information System (NASIS) database for Franklin County, Pennsylvania
Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form:tabular digital data
Publication_Information:
Publication_Place:Fort Collins, Colorado
Publisher: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Information Technology Center
Type_of_Source_Media:online
Source_Time_Period_of_Content:
Time_Period_Information:
Single_Date/Time:
Calendar_Date:2003
Source_Currentness_Reference:
export certification date
Source_Citation_Abbreviation:
NRCS5
Source_Contribution:
tabular soil property data linked to
spatial soil data
Source_Information:
Source_Citation:
Citation_Information:
Originator: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service
Publication_Date:2003
Title:
Soil Survey Geographic (SSURGO) database for Franklin County, Pennsylvania
Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form:vector digital data
Publication_Information:
Publication_Place:Fort Worth, Texas
Publisher: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service, National Cartography and Geospatial Center
Source_Scale_Denominator:24000
Type_of_Source_Media:online
Source_Time_Period_of_Content:
Time_Period_Information:
Single_Date/Time:
Calendar_Date:2003
Source_Currentness_Reference:
date of publication
Source_Citation_Abbreviation:
NRCS6
Source_Contribution:
source for digital revision
Source_Information:
Source_Citation:
Citation_Information:
Originator: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service
Publication_Date:2003
Title:
National Soil Information System (NASIS) data base
Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form:unknown
Publication_Information:
Publication_Place:Fort Collins, Colorado
Publisher: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service
Source_Scale_Denominator:24000
Type_of_Source_Media:database
Source_Time_Period_of_Content:
Time_Period_Information:
Single_Date/Time:
Calendar_Date:2003
Source_Currentness_Reference:
publication date
Source_Citation_Abbreviation:
NASIS
Source_Contribution:
attribute (tabular) information
Source_Information:
Source_Citation:
Citation_Information:
Originator: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service
Publication_Date:unpublished material
Title:
region 6 soils geodatabase
Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form:file geodatabase
Type_of_Source_Media:vector digital data
Source_Time_Period_of_Content:
Time_Period_Information:
Range_of_Dates/Times:
Beginning_Date:2006
Ending_Date:2018
Source_Currentness_Reference:
SSURGO publication date
Source_Citation_Abbreviation:
NRCS7
Source_Contribution:
Source of digital revision - recreated yearly
Process_Step:
Process_Description:
Franklin County, Pennsylvania had a previously published soil survey,
1975, at 1:15840 scale. A detailed evaluation found that significant
changes in land use, soil classification, soil interpretations, and
standards and procedures for making soil surveys made the 1975 survey
obsolete. The approval for the soil survey update was given in 1986.
The source materials needed for the field mapping were then ordered.
Source_Used_Citation_Abbreviation:
SCS1
Process_Date:1987
Process_Step:
Process_Description:
Field procedures for the second order soil survey included plotting
of soil boundaries determined by field observation in conjunction
with aerial photo interpretation. Boundaries were verified at closely
spaced intervals, and the soils in each delineation were identified
by traversing and transecting the landscape. The field work provided
soil scientists with clues to patterns of soil occurrence that could
be remotely determined by using aerial photography and topographic
quadrangles showing landform contours. Soil scientists described and
analyzed the data. The Classification and Correlation of the Soils
of Franklin County, Pennsylvania was prepared by the Major Land
Resource Area (MLRA) Office in Morgantown, West Virginia.
Source_Used_Citation_Abbreviation:
SCS2, USGS1
Process_Date:1999
Process_Step:
Process_Description:
The soils and special soil features were compiled and digitized by
the soil scientists and cartographic technicians at the Pennsylvania
Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Map Compilation and
Digitizing Center at University Park, Pennsylvania. The one-third of
a quadrangle field maps were manually compiled to the full 7.5 minute
quadrangle orthophotographs at a scale of 1:24000 and scanned at
Midwest Graphics using a drum scanner at 300 dpi. The raster files of
the scanned soil lines were imported into the LTPlus software for
raster editing, map neatline development, labeling, edgematching, and
vector conversion. The vector files were then imported into the
ARC/INFO Version 7.0.4 software for final plotting, edit checks, and
error analysis. Statistics on map unit acreages was generated and
checked with the correlation legend and tabular data. The special
features were manually digitized in ARC/INFO Version 7.0.4, and
compared to the soils data. The data were created and maintained in
the North American Datum of 1983 (NAD83). A 10 percent check plot
review of the soils and special features was done by the Major Land
Resource (MLRA) Office in Morgantown, West Virginia. After the staff
at the Map Compilation and Digitizing Center completed their quality
assurance and review, the SSURGO data were written to Digital Line
Graph (DLG) 3 Optional format from ARC/INFO Version 7.0.4 with the
ARCDLG command. The digital soils data were sent to the NRCS
Michigan Digitizing Unit (MIDU) for review and certification.
Source_Used_Citation_Abbreviation:
SCS2, SCS3, NRCS1, NRCS2
Process_Date:2000
Process_Step:
Process_Description:
The soils and special soil features were imported into ARC/INFO
Version 7.2.1. The MIDU staff checked the data with a set of ARC Macro
Language (AML) programs developed by the NRCS National Cartography and
Geospatial Center (NCGC) in Fort Worth, Texas. The data were projected
into two UTM zones and the data were edited. New DLG files reflecting
these changes were written with ARC/INFO Version 7.2.1 to meet SSURGO
standards. The Map Unit Interpretations Record (MUIR) data base was
developed by Natural Resources Conservation Service soil scientists
according to national standards. Pennsylvania NRCS soil scientists
supplied the SSURGO download from the MUIR database. Upon successful
completion of the SSURGO Evaluation, the DLG files and the SSURGO
download from the MUIR database were processed with the ARC/INFO
Distribution AML programs. The certified data were electronically
transferred to NCGC for archival and distribution.
Source_Used_Citation_Abbreviation:
NRCS3
Process_Date:2000
Process_Step:
Process_Description:
The spatial data for Franklin County, Pennsylvania has been revised
by the soil scientists and cartographic technicians at the
Pennsylvania NRCS Map Compilation and Digitizing Center at University
Park, Pennsylvania. Water boundaries were adjusted to the digital
orthophotographs and soil boundaries were adjusted to the imagery for
digital map finishing. The data were written to DLG 3 Optional format
from ARC/INFO Version 8.0 with the ARCDLG command. The digital soils
data were sent to the MIDU for review and re-certification.
Source_Used_Citation_Abbreviation:
NRCS4
Process_Date:2002
Process_Step:
Process_Description:
The MUIR attribute data have been replaced with attribute data from
the National Soil Information System (NASIS) database. The NASIS
database was developed by the NRCS soil scientists according to
national standards.
Source_Used_Citation_Abbreviation:
NRCS5
Process_Date:2002
Process_Step:
Process_Description:
The MIDU staff imported the DLG-3 Optional format files for the soils
and the special features using the ARC/INFO Version 7.2.1 software.
The quadrangle coverages were processed using the Revised October
1998 SSURGO Evaluation AML programs. These ARC/INFO programs
identified areas within the coverages that needed revision. The data
were edited. The Pennsylvania NRCS soil scientists supplied the
SSURGO downloads from NASIS. The minor codes in the soils coverages
were renamed to link the map units in the spatial data to the NASIS
database. New DLG files were written from the updated coverages
according to SSURGO standards. Upon successful completion of the
SSURGO Evaluation, the DLG files and the SSURGO download were
processed with the July 2002 Distribution AML programs provided by
NCGC. The re-certified data were electronically transferred to NCGC
for archival and distribution.
Source_Used_Citation_Abbreviation:
NRCS5
Process_Date:2003
Process_Step:
Process_Description:
The spatial data for Franklin County, Pennsylvania has been revised
by the soil scientists and cartographic technicians at the
Pennsylvania NRCS Map Compilation and Digitizing Center at University
Park, Pennsylvania. Soil boundaries were adjusted to better match the
digital orthophotographs. The special features (point and linear)
were not changed. The seamless soil survey coverage was sent to the
MIDU for re-certification. The MIDU staff downloaded the tab.zip and
out.zip files for Franklin County from the National SSURGO Database.
The seamless coverages for the special features and the NASIS
download were extracted from the zipped files and imported into the
ARC/INFO Version 7.2.1 software. The MIDU staff checked the modified
soils area coverage, the special features coverages and the NASIS
download with the Seamless Re-certification Procedures Version 1.0
developed by the staff at NCGC. The MIDU staff fixed the two
pseudonodes that were identified by the AML programs. The
re-certified data were electronically transferred to NCGC for
archival and distribution.
Source_Used_Citation_Abbreviation:
NRCS5, NRCS6
Process_Date:2003
Process_Step:
Process_Description:
The spatial data for Franklin County, Pennsylvania soil survey area was
downloaded from the Soil Data Mart on October 15, 2012.  The individual
shapefiles were appended into a geodatabase for region 6.  The data were
processed in ARCGIS 10.1 using a topology object with a 0.1 meter cluster
tolerance for the purpose of eliminating gaps and overlaps within the
region 6 soils geodatabase.  Individual soil survey area data were
exported as shapefiles from the regional geodatabase.  A datum
transformation from NAD83 to WGS84 using the NAD_1983_To_WGS_1984_1 datum
transformation method was applied to the data.  The data were checked with
the SSURGO Evaluation scripts provided by U.S. Department of Agriculture,
Natural Resources Conservation Service. The shapefiles were then uploaded
to the soil data warehouse for archival and distribution.
Source_Used_Citation_Abbreviation:
NRCS7
Process_Date:2013
Process_Step:
Process_Description:
The spatial data for the entire SSURGO database was recertified in October
of 2019 to reduce storage requirements and to improve map display
and geoprocessing performance.  The SSURGO data is internally managed
using 12 Regional Transactional Spatial Databases (RTSD) that are in
an ESRI File Geodatabase format.  The spatial extent of the RTSDs follow the
Soil and Plant Science Division (SPSD) regional administrative boundaries.
The XY coordinate system of this RTSD is USA Contiguous Albers Equal Area
Conic USGS Version WKID: 102039 and has an XY storage precision of 0.001
meters.  The RTSDs were recreated using a reduced storage precision of 0.1
meters to reduce the physical size of the data.  The SSURGO data was also
generalized by removing excess vertices, using a tolerance of 1 meter.
The topology was validated at the CONUS level using a tolerance of 0.2
meters.  This effort directly affects the gSSURGO and gNATSGO product since
these deliverables are in a File Geodatabase format.
Source_Used_Citation_Abbreviation:
NRCS7
Process_Date:2019
Process_Step:
Process_Description:
The Natural Resources Conservation Service State Soil Scientist or
delegate, upon completion of data quality verification, determined
that the tabular data should be released for official use. A
selected set of map units and components in the soil survey legend was
copied to a staging database, and rating values for selected
interpretations were generated. The list of selected interpretations is
stored in the database table named sainterp.
Source_Used_Citation_Abbreviation:
NASIS
Process_Date:20190917
Process_Step:
Process_Description:
The Natural Resources Conservation Service State Soil Scientist or
delegate verified that the labels on the digitized soil map units
link to map units in the tabular database, and certified the joined
data sets for release to the Soil Data Warehouse. A system assigned
version number and date stamp were added and the data were copied to
the data warehouse. The tabular data for the map units and components
were extracted from the data warehouse and reformatted into the soil
data delivery data model, then stored in the Soil Data Mart. The spatial
data were copied to the Soil Data Mart without change.
Source_Used_Citation_Abbreviation:
NASIS
Process_Date:20190917
Process_Step:
Process_Description:
The Natural Resources Conservation Service State Soil Scientist or
delegate, upon completion of data quality verification, determined
that the tabular data should be released for official use. A
selected set of map units and components in the soil survey legend was
copied to a staging database, and rating values for selected
interpretations were generated. The list of selected interpretations is
stored in the database table named sainterp.
Source_Used_Citation_Abbreviation:
NASIS
Process_Date:20200605
Process_Step:
Process_Description:
The Natural Resources Conservation Service State Soil Scientist or
delegate verified that the labels on the digitized soil map units
link to map units in the tabular database, and certified the joined
data sets for release to the Soil Data Warehouse. A system assigned
version number and date stamp were added and the data were copied to
the data warehouse. The tabular data for the map units and components
were extracted from the data warehouse and reformatted into the soil
data delivery data model, then stored in the Soil Data Mart. The spatial
data were copied to the Soil Data Mart without change.
Source_Used_Citation_Abbreviation:
NASIS
Process_Date:20200605
Process_Step:
Process_Description:
The Natural Resources Conservation Service State Soil Scientist or
delegate, upon completion of data quality verification, determined
that the tabular data should be released for official use. A
selected set of map units and components in the soil survey legend was
copied to a staging database, and rating values for selected
interpretations were generated. The list of selected interpretations is
stored in the database table named sainterp.
Source_Used_Citation_Abbreviation:
NASIS
Process_Date:20210831
Process_Step:
Process_Description:
The Natural Resources Conservation Service State Soil Scientist or
delegate verified that the labels on the digitized soil map units
link to map units in the tabular database, and certified the joined
data sets for release to the Soil Data Warehouse. A system assigned
version number and date stamp were added and the data were copied to
the data warehouse. The tabular data for the map units and components
were extracted from the data warehouse and reformatted into the soil
data delivery data model, then stored in the Soil Data Mart. The spatial
data were copied to the Soil Data Mart without change.
Source_Used_Citation_Abbreviation:
NASIS
Process_Date:20210831
Process_Step:
Process_Description:
The Natural Resources Conservation Service State Soil Scientist or
delegate, upon completion of data quality verification, determined
that the tabular data should be released for official use. A
selected set of map units and components in the soil survey legend was
copied to a staging database, and rating values for selected
interpretations were generated. The list of selected interpretations is
stored in the database table named sainterp.
Source_Used_Citation_Abbreviation:
NASIS
Process_Date:20220906
Process_Step:
Process_Description:
The Natural Resources Conservation Service State Soil Scientist or
delegate verified that the labels on the digitized soil map units
link to map units in the tabular database, and certified the joined
data sets for release to the Soil Data Warehouse. A system assigned
version number and date stamp were added and the data were copied to
the data warehouse. The tabular data for the map units and components
were extracted from the data warehouse and reformatted into the soil
data delivery data model, then stored in the Soil Data Mart. The spatial
data were copied to the Soil Data Mart without change.
Source_Used_Citation_Abbreviation:
NASIS
Process_Date:20220906
Process_Step:
Process_Description:
The Natural Resources Conservation Service State Soil Scientist or
delegate, upon completion of data quality verification, determined
that the tabular data should be released for official use. A
selected set of map units and components in the soil survey legend was
copied to a staging database, and rating values for selected
interpretations were generated. The list of selected interpretations is
stored in the database table named sainterp.
Source_Used_Citation_Abbreviation:
NASIS
Process_Date:20230904
Process_Step:
Process_Description:
The Natural Resources Conservation Service State Soil Scientist or
delegate verified that the labels on the digitized soil map units
link to map units in the tabular database, and certified the joined
data sets for release to the Soil Data Warehouse. A system assigned
version number and date stamp were added and the data were copied to
the data warehouse. The tabular data for the map units and components
were extracted from the data warehouse and reformatted into the soil
data delivery data model, then stored in the Soil Data Mart. The spatial
data were copied to the Soil Data Mart without change.
Source_Used_Citation_Abbreviation:
NASIS
Process_Date:20230904
Process_Step:
Process_Description:
The Natural Resources Conservation Service State Soil Scientist or
delegate, upon completion of data quality verification, determined
that the tabular data should be released for official use. A
selected set of map units and components in the soil survey legend was
copied to a staging database, and rating values for selected
interpretations were generated. The list of selected interpretations is
stored in the database table named sainterp.
Source_Used_Citation_Abbreviation:
NASIS
Process_Date:20240904
Process_Step:
Process_Description:
The Natural Resources Conservation Service State Soil Scientist or
delegate verified that the labels on the digitized soil map units
link to map units in the tabular database, and certified the joined
data sets for release to the Soil Data Warehouse. A system assigned
version number and date stamp were added and the data were copied to
the data warehouse. The tabular data for the map units and components
were extracted from the data warehouse and reformatted into the soil
data delivery data model, then stored in the Soil Data Mart. The spatial
data were copied to the Soil Data Mart without change.
Source_Used_Citation_Abbreviation:
NASIS
Process_Date:20240904
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Spatial_Data_Organization_Information:
Direct_Spatial_Reference_Method:Vector
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Spatial_Reference_Information:
Horizontal_Coordinate_System_Definition:
Geographic:
Latitude_Resolution:0.000001
Longitude_Resolution:0.0000001
Geographic_Coordinate_Units:decimal degrees
Geodetic_Model:
Horizontal_Datum_Name:World Geodetic System 1984
Ellipsoid_Name:World Geodetic System 1984
Semi-major_Axis:6378137.00000
Denominator_of_Flattening_Ratio:298.257222
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Entity_and_Attribute_Information:
Detailed_Description:
Entity_Type:
Entity_Type_Label:Special Soil Features
Entity_Type_Definition:
Special Soil Features represent soil, nonsoil, or landform features that are too small to be digitized as soil delineations (area features).
Entity_Type_Definition_Source:
U.S. Department of Agriculture. 1993. Soil Survey Manual. Soil Surv. Staff, U.S. Dep. Agric. Handb. 18.
Attribute:
Attribute_Label:Special Soil Features Codes
Attribute_Definition:
Special Soil Features Codes represent specific Special Soil
Features. These features are identified with a major code,
a minor code, and a descriptive label. The codes and label
are assigned to the point or line assigned to represent the
feature on published maps.
Attribute_Definition_Source:
U.S. Department of Agriculture. 1993. Soil Survey Manual.
Soil Surv. Staff, U.S. Dep. Agric. Handb. 18; U.S. Department
of Agriculture. (current issue). National Soil Survey
Handbook, title 430-VI, part 647. Soil Conserv. Serv.
Attribute_Domain_Values:
Codeset_Domain:
Codeset_Name: Classification and Correlation of the Soils of Franklin County, Pennsylvania
Codeset_Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service
Overview_Description:
Entity_and_Attribute_Overview:
Map Unit Delineations are closed polygons that may be dominated
by a single soil or nonsoil component plus allowable similar or
dissimilar soils, or they can be geographic mixtures of groups
of soils or soils and nonsoil areas.

The map unit symbol uniquely identifies each closed delineation
map unit. Each symbol corresponds to a map unit name. The map unit
key is used to link to information in the National Soil
Information System tables.

Map Unit Delineations are described by the National Soil
Information System database. This attribute database gives the
proportionate extent of the component soils and the properties for
each soil. The database contains both estimated and measured data
on the physical and chemical soil properties and soil
interpretations for engineering, water management, recreation,
agronomic, woodland, range, and wildlife uses of the soil.

The National Soil Information System database contains static
metadata. It documents the data structure and includes such
information as what tables, columns, indexes, and relationships
are defined as well as a variety of attributes of each of these
database objects.  Attributes include table and column
descriptions and detailed domain information.

The National Soil Information System database also contains a
distribution metadata. It records the criteria used for selecting
map units and components for inclusion in the set of distributed
data.

Special features are described in the feature table.  It includes a
feature label, feature name, and feature description for each
special and ad hoc feature in the survey area.
Entity_and_Attribute_Detail_Citation:
U.S. Department of Agriculture. 1999. Soil Taxonomy: A basic system
of soil classification for making and interpreting soil surveys.
Soil Conserv. Serv., U.S. Dep. Agric. Handb. 436.

U.S. Department of Agriculture. (current issue). Keys to Soil
Taxonomy.  Soil Surv. Staff, Soil Conserv. Serv.

U.S. Department of Agriculture. (current issue). National Soil
Survey Handbook, title 430-VI. Soil Surv. Staff, Natural Resources
Conservation Service.

U.S. Department of Agriculture. 1993. Soil Survey Manual.
Soil Surv. Staff, U.S. Dep. Agric. Handb. 18.
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Distribution_Information:
Distributor:
Contact_Information:
Contact_Organization_Primary:
Contact_Organization: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service, National Geospatial Center of Excellence
Contact_Address:
Address_Type:mailing and physical address
Address:
501 West Felix Street, Building 23
City:Fort Worth
State_or_Province:Texas
Postal_Code:76115
Contact_Voice_Telephone:800 672 5559
Contact_TDD/TTY_Telephone:202 720 2600
Contact_Facsimile_Telephone:817 509 3469
Resource_Description:Franklin County, Pennsylvania SSURGO
Distribution_Liability:
Although these data have been processed successfully on a computer
system at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, no warranty expressed
or implied is made by the Agency regarding the utility of the data
on any other system, nor shall the act of distribution constitute
any such warranty. The U.S. Department of Agriculture will warrant
the delivery of this product in computer readable format, and will
offer appropriate adjustment of credit when the product is determined
unreadable by correctly adjusted computer input peripherals, or
when the physical medium is delivered in damaged condition. Request
for adjustment of credit must be made within 90 days from the date
of this shipment from the ordering site.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture, nor any of its agencies are
liable for misuse of the data, for damage, for transmission of
viruses, or for computer contamination through the distribution of
these data sets. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits
discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race,
color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political
beliefs, sexual orientation, or marital or family status. (Not all
prohibited bases apply to all programs.)
Standard_Order_Process:
Digital_Form:
Digital_Transfer_Information:
Format_Name:ESRI shapefile
Format_Information_Content:
spatial
Transfer_Size:26.6
Digital_Transfer_Option:
Online_Option:
Computer_Contact_Information:
Network_Address:
Network_Resource_Name: URL:http://DataGateway.nrcs.usda.gov/
Access_Instructions:
Select desired survey area at above Internet Web site. An email address is required for receipt of instructions on retrieval via anonymous FTP. Anticipate a delay between submission of request at Web site and receipt of email message.
Fees: There is currently no direct charge for requesting data or for retrieval via FTP.
Ordering_Instructions:
Visit the above mentioned Internet Web Site, select state or
territory, then select individual soil survey area of interest.
Spatial line data and locations of special feature symbols are in
ESRI ArcGIS shapefile, format. The National Soil Information
System attribute soil data are available in variable length, pipe
delimited, ASCII file format.
Turnaround:Typically within four hours
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Metadata_Reference_Information:
Metadata_Date:20240924
Metadata_Contact:
Contact_Information:
Contact_Organization_Primary:
Contact_Organization:U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service
Contact_Position:State Soil Scientist
Contact_Address:
Address_Type:mailing address
Address:
USDA-NRCS
Address:
359 East Park Drive, Suite 2
City:Harrisburg
State_or_Province:PA
Postal_Code:17111-2747
Contact_Voice_Telephone:717-237-2207
Contact_TDD/TTY_Telephone:7172372235
Contact_Facsimile_Telephone:717-237-2238
Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address:Yuri.Plowden@usda.gov
Metadata_Standard_Name:Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata
Metadata_Standard_Version:FGDC-STD-001-1998
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