New Version of Web Soil Survey Now Available

Cleveland E. Watts, State Soil Scientist
Natural Resources Conservation Service
Salina, Kansas

The newest version of the Web Soil Survey 2.1 (WSS) was launched by the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in November 2008. The WSS is the simple yet powerful way to access and use soil data. This web-based application can be accessed at http://websoilsurvey.nrcs.usda.gov.

New features available in the latest version of WSS include enhanced search abilities, the ability to download soils data for your area of interest, better map layers, performance improvements, multi-sheet printable maps, tab and folder descriptions, “forest” color scheme, ecological site assessment tab for every category, map measurement tool, a soils glossary, and fully supports Safari and Google Chrome.

A section of Tips and Shortcuts is also offered to make the use of the WSS more effective and enjoyable.

The WSS offers visitors access to an abundance of soil survey data including soil maps, properties, and interpretations. Visitors are able to print or download the information in a customized format to accommodate the customer’s needs.

Soil surveys can be used for general farm, local, and wider area planning and provide important information for those making natural resource decisions.

NRCS provides access to the largest natural resource information system in the world. NRCS has soil maps and data available online for more than 95 percent of the nation’s counties and anticipates having 100 percent in the near future. The site is updated and maintained online as the single authoritative source of soil survey information.

The WSS has caught the attention of many online visitors from around the globe since it launched a little over three years ago in August 2005. In the beginning, the site averaged about 1,000 hits per day. Currently, with a growing customer base with several million hits a year, the NRCS is committed to making the process better and easier for the customer.

To learn more about the WSS go to the Web site listed above or contact the NRCS staff located at your local county U.S. Department of Agriculture Service Center.

For more information about NRCS programs, visit the Kansas NRCS Web site at www.ks.nrcs.usda.gov.

This article is also available in Microsoft Word format.

New Version of Web Soil Survey Now Available (DOC; 49 KB)

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Last Modified: 12/11/2008