Coming in the future from Kentucky HydroGrafx

Images optimized for use with palm sized computers

Myself and a couple of buddies have been testing this type of setup that last few months. It worked quite well.

When time allows, I will be adding information on this website on what you need to do this kind of thing.

The primary benefit would be that color images could be displayed on a small computer screen (about 3 x 4 inches) and your position can be displayed on those images in real time with your gps hooked to the mini computer. Wouldn't that be neat!!!!

If you already have a laptop computer, that is already possible with OziExplorer or other gps mapping software that has "moving map" functions. We all know that it just isn't real practical to have a laptop in the boat, but a small lightweight computer is definitely feasible.

My job will be to somehow reduce the image file sizes to something that the small computers can easily handle. My major concern will be to ensure that the high detail that now exists in the re-surveyed maps is preserved and can be useful on the water.

Contour data converted to a common GIS file type

This aspect of the map information is currently on the back burner. Too many new places to map and generate conventional imagery at the moment.

What is GIS?? The term GIS stands for Geographic Information Systems. It is basically viewing/analyzing data in some form associated with a place in the world (georeferenced). GIS data can be in the form of lines, points, polygons (irregular shapes) or even aerial photographs or scanned paper images.

Kentucky HydroGrafx would provide the high resolution contour information in the form of polygons and/or lines that have an elevation assigned to them.

One benefit will be the ability to display the contour information in colors that you chose. The most useful tool will be the ability to select or "highlight" a contour level of your choice. For example, if you hear that crappie are being caught in 18 feet of water, you would first determine what elevation that would be, given the current lake level. If that was when the lake was at summer pool (359), then the key depth would be 341. You could simply click that elevation on the map legend and everything that is 18 feet deep will turn yellow. Click here to see a screenshot example

Obviously, ever single acre that is now yellow doesn't have crappie on it, but you will definitely see the significant terrain features that have a high potential to hold fish.

What software will I need to use this data??

You will need something called ArcExplorer. This is free software provided by ESRI, one of leaders in GIS software. It can be downloaded from their website www.esri.com. I will also provide it on the CD with the lake data as a convenience. There is lots of free data on the internet that this software can view. I will provide links to such sites that I use when I get the ball rolling on all of this.

Kentucky HydroGrafx will likely provide the following:

- Contour data (by section) will be converted to ArcView shapefiles

- DOQQ* images of that particular area will be provided for use as background data to help with orientation.

- A static image of the full color, high resolution HydroGrafx topograhy will be provided as well, for background information.

* DOQQ stands for "Digital Ortho Quarter Quad". DOQQ images are fairly high resolution photographs that are available from USGS and The Kentucky office of GIS. They make nice visual background information for many aspects of GIS and mapping. These images also available for download on the internet.

Can ArcExplorer be used in conjunction with my GPS??

No, this software is only designed to browse and view the data, so you would likely use it prior to, or after a fishing trip to review known locations of where fish were caught.

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