Where are NWI maps used?

Examining the patterns of wetlands maps printed from the FWS Wetlands Mapper

National Wetlands Inventory

March 4, 2025

National overview of maps printed from the NWI wetlands mapper. The map shows the lower 48 states with green rectangles representing the extent of maps users printed from the wetlands mapper. They are mostly distributed according to population density of the US, but with several outlier patterns that are illuminating possible uses of NWI data.

A tri-color banner with a light tan rectangle on the top, a white rectangle in the center, and a blue rectangle on the bottom. At the left of the banner are the Department of Interior and Fish and Wildlife Service logos, and there is "U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service" written in white text over the tan rectangle and "National Wetlands Inventory" in dark brown text over the white rectangle.

A cypress tree growing out of water in the center of the image, with other trees in the mid-ground. The background has more wetland vegetation.. — Cypress wetlands.

A More Comprehensive Dataset of the Nation’s Water Resources

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s National Wetlands Inventory (NWI) is a publicly available resource that provides detailed information on the abundance, characteristics and distribution of America’s wetlands. These data support a multitude of applications for users throughout the Nation. Whether it is wetland conservation or restoration, emergency response, species habitat assessment, population modeling, infrastructure and recreation planning, or to support other types of decisions, NWI data have been a trusted resource for over 50 years.

Maps Printed from the Wetlands Mapper

From October 1st, 2015 to September 30th, 2024, over 2,300,000 PDF maps have been printed from the NWI Wetlands Mapper ( https://www.fws.gov/wetlands/data/Mapper.html ).

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Patterns of Use

The geographic extent of these maps illuminate certain patterns of how NWI data are used by the public.

A black and white bar chart displaying the number of wetlands mapper pdf prints by fiscal year. The chart shows an increasing pattern of prints, growing from 181,300 prints in FY 2016 to 291,000 prints in FY 2024, with a high of 328,600 prints in FY 2021.

Poster of Wetlands Maps Printed, FY 2024. The map shows the conterminous United States with the rectangles of maps printed from the wetlands mapper in light transparent green. There are seven circles surrounding the states with closer views of the patterns of prints in various landscapes, highlighting how the public uses NWI data. In the bottom left, there is a bar chart showing increasing use of the NWI wetlands mapper year to year.

Chicago

The heavy use of NWI maps in Chicago and northern Illinois compared to neighboring Wisconsin reflect differing state-level wetland policy requirements and the presence of the Wisconsin Wetlands Inventory.

North Dakota

NWI data are used in northwestern North Dakota to help plan energy investments with the rapidly expanding oil extraction from the Bakken formation .

In the foreground, an oil derrick is silhouetted. The background is a cloudy sky in front of a sunset. — Oil derrick.

Montana

Linear patterns of printed NWI maps often reflect infrastructure projects along travel corridors, like U.S. Route 2 in Montana. This is also an important agricultural area. NWI data enables more efficient infrastructure development, supporting communities and creating jobs.

A railroad curves from the left foreground of the photo to the right edge until it turns and continues off the center-top background of the photo. There is a hill and river to the left of the railway. — Railroad.

Oregon

The distinct grouping of printed NWI maps in Oregon's Willamette Valley show that NWI data are used often to support decision making in agricultural areas.

A Willamette Valley field of grapevines running from the foreground straight away from the viewer. — Willamette Valley field.

Southeast New Mexico and West Texas

NWI maps printed in areas with concentrated energy development, such as this area in southeast New Mexico and west Texas, highlight the importance of NWI data in supporting this industry. NWI data streamlines the planning and permitting of energy projects, helping them get to the finish line faster.

Photo of West Texas landscape. A mesa rises to the left of the photo and there is shrub vegetation in the center right of the photo. — West Texas.

Texas Urban Corridor

Urban growth and the connections of metro areas show up in the location of printed maps displayed here in the San Antonio - Austin corridor.

A skyscraper in Austin, Texas rises between two other buildings in front of it. A construction crane is in the upper left of the photo, suggesting ongoing development. — Austin high-rise.

Atlanta and Southeastern Metropolitan Areas

NWI map prints are often concentrated where people live. This example from Atlanta highlights the importance of NWI for urban planning. NWI data helps keeps communities safe and healthy by supporting strategic decisions around water quality and availability, as well as helping to avoid impacts from flooding, fire, and drought.

The Atlanta skyline is in the center ground of the photo, with a cloudy sky above it. In the fore ground are highways with cars coming in and out of the city. — Atlanta skyline.

Washington, D.C.

NWI print patterns reflect the public's interest in wetlands data in the places they live.

New Jersey

Maps printed over Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge and adjacent state forests in coastal New Jersey. Similar to other U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service refuges, wetlands comprise the majority of these lands, which serve as important habitat for migratory birds and other wildlife. By supporting conservation and land management planning, NWI data help to meet the mission of the Service and provide communities with hunting, fishing, boating, and other recreational opportunities.

A person sitting in the front of a kayak, looking through binoculars to the right. In the background are mangroves under a blue sky with wispy clouds. — Kayaking near mangroves.

Being aware of how the public uses NWI data will allow the program respond to user needs, learn where updates might be most appreciated, and help guide future project planning.

Learn more about how NWI data are used at https://www.fws.gov/wetlands/nwi/NWI-Use-Highlights.html .