Geospatial Data

The Forest Service has a broad set of geospatial datasets that capture various geographic features across the landscape. You can access this information via downloads, see below.

Data disclaimer – The USDA Forest Service makes no warranty, expressed or implied, including the warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose, nor assumes any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, reliability, completeness, or utility of these geospatial data, or for the improper or incorrect use of these geospatial data. These geospatial data and related maps or graphics are not legal documents and are not intended to be used as such. The data and maps may not be used to determine title, ownership, legal descriptions or boundaries, legal jurisdiction, or restrictions that may be in place on either public or private land. Natural hazards may or may not be depicted on the data and maps, and land users should exercise due caution. The data are dynamic and may change over time. The user is responsible to verify the limitations of the geospatial data and to use the data accordingly.

Forest Service Geodata Clearinghouse

You can browse, select, and download datasets for the Monongahela and any national forest from the Forest Service Geodata Clearinghouse. Start here to find data about Monongahela National Forest boundaries, ownership, roads, trails, etc.

Local Datasets

The following geospatial products not available from the Forest Service Geodata Clearinghouse but are available for download from this page.

A link to the Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC)-compliant metadata is provided for each dataset. All data are in zipped format (or available from the specified source) and in the following coordinate system:

• Coordinate System: Universal Transverse Mercator
• Zone: 17
• Units: Meters
• Datum: North American Datums (NAD) 1983
• Spheroid: Geographic Response Strategy (GRS) 1980

Description of available downloads

• Map files – All map files are in .pdf format. These maps illustrate the correlated geospatial data. All maps are under 1 MB unless otherwise noted.
• Metadata file – This FGDC-compliant metadata file contains information pertaining to the specific geospatial dataset.
• Shapefile/Geodatabase – This downloadable zipped file is in Environmental Systems Research Institute’s (ESRI) shapefile format.
• Keyhole Markup Language (KML) file – This downloadable zipped file is in Google Earth’s KML format.

Forest-wide datasets

• Monongahela National Forest Field Sampled Vegetation (FSVeg) (V1 - 2022)
• Aquatic Ecological Unit Inventory (AEUI) (March 2024)
• Monongahela National Forest Management Prescriptions Map (September 2006)

Project-specific datasets

• Specific project geospatial information, if available, can be found with our project information.

Additional Data Resources

• Geospatial Data Discovery: The U.S. Forest Service has configured this open data site to help our partners and the public discover geospatial data published by the Agency. Use it together with your data to create maps, apps and other information products.
• National Geospatial Center of Excellence (NGCE): Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) geospatial data site.
• The National Map: U.S. Geological Survey’s interactive map service that provides data like National Hydrography Dataset (NHD) and Digital Elevation Model (DEM).
• U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Geospatial Services
• West Virginia GIS Technical Center serves as the state's repository of digital geographic information.

For more information or assistance, contact Monongahela National Forest GIS Coordinator at 304-635-4525.