Source: Wisconsin DNR Water Division
Date: Last Updated 5/08
The Open Water Layer is actually a group of open water datalayers which are selectively displayed at different scales of resolution. This layer group includes: 1:2 million, 1:100,000 and 1:24,000. The closer you go into the viewer (ie., more detailed map), the higher the resolution of the hydrolayer you will be using in this application. Each of the three datasets have some common elements, but the more detailed the datalayer the more detailed the information behind the spatial features.
The DNR's website has detailed information on the 1:24,000 hydrolayer and that information can be accessed here: http://dnr.wi.gov/maps/gis/datahydro.html
Please note that the WDNR's 1:24,000 datalayer provides information regarding the type of waterbody you are viewing, such as river, stream, flowage, or lake. This information should not be used for regulatory purposes. This information is in the process of being quality controlled and the limits of its application in a regulatory or decision making setting is under review. Users wishing to obtain a definitive definition of a flowage or lake should contact their lakes coordinator or the lakes program; information regarding rivers and streams can be directed to the Waterways Protection section of the Bureau of Watershed Management.
If you have questions regarding the data you are viewing, please contact Ann Schachte, at 608-267-2301. Ann is the project manager for the state's 1:24,000 scale hydrography datalayer.