National Wetlands Inventory Use Highlights

The National Wetlands Inventory鈥�(NWI) Program provides geospatial information that is critical to understand, protect, and promote America鈥檚 national interests. NWI鈥檚 Geospatial Dataset enables efficient decision-making that supports the health of America鈥檚 people and economy. Everyday thousands of people from commercial, non-profit, and governmental organizations, as well as private citizens, use NWI data. 

Examining how often and where NWI data is used provides insights into the importance of these data to decisions-makers across the nation.

NWI Mapper and Web Services

NWI鈥檚 Geospatial Dataset is provided to the public through the Wetlands Mapper and Web Map Services. The鈥�Wetlands Mapper鈥痯rovides map-like views of the Nation's wetland and deepwater resources and allows users to query, download, and print data. 

NWI's Wetlands Mapper

In 2024 the Wetlands Mapper had:

  • More than 306,000 users
  • Nearly 550,000 Mapper views 
  • Over 5 million requests for information
  • More than 286,000 downloads
  • Over 290,000 maps printed 


 


狈奥滨'蝉鈥�web map services鈥痑llow users to quickly display and query data using GIS software and mapping applications. Federal, state and Tribal agencies, energy and infrastructure development companies, as well as outdoor, recreation, and conservation organizations use NWI web map services to inform decision-making and better serve the American public.鈥�

In 2024, NWI web map services received nearly 45 million requests for information.

NWI Mapper Prints

The Wetlands Mapper allows users to print maps for their area of interest - one of the Mapper's most utilized functions. By examining where users are printing maps, we can infer how the data is being used. This information helps the NWI Program prioritize user needs and implement strategies to improve user engagement.

                                  Since 2015, over 2.3 million maps have been printed from the Wetlands Mapper.

Map showing the location and distribution of NWI maps printed in FY2024. 

                                When examining the locations of NWI map prints, patterns begin to emerge. 

                                  Below are examples of patterns in the distribution of Mapper prints that reflect varying uses of NWI data.鈥�

Energy Development: 

Transportation: 

Urban Planning: 

Recreation: 

                                                                

                                                                    

                                                             When maps are printed, also reflect their use. 

The majority of NWI maps are printed during the workweek, indicating these data support decision-making across the American workforce. 

Graph showing the mean hourly Mapper Prints in FY2024, showing most maps are printed Monday through Friday. 

                                                                                To Learn more about NWI data, please visit our data page

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Wetlands