Digital Raster Graphics

(59K, GIF)

A "base map" program, beyond the original Legislative Commission on Minnesota Resources program, was completed for Minnesota on May 19, 1997. This program produced digital files of the printed U.S. Geological Survey topographic maps, which are called digital raster graphics (DRGs). The program, coordinated by the Land Management Information Center, combined funds from the Minnesota Department of Transportation, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Minerals and Forestry Divisions, and the Natural Resource Conservation Service. 

Digital raster graphics are used primarily as a "backdrop" data layer. They are especially useful as mapping referencing tools because so many policy-makers and the general public are familiar with these USGS maps. The DRG effort was made possible through Legislative Commission on Minnesota Resources funding of both the Base Maps for the 1990s program and the accelerated topographic mapping program from the mid-1960s through the early 1980s. 

The thumbnail image above shows the State Capitol mall area in downtown St. Paul. It is a small portion of the St. Paul East 1:24,000 quadrangle, which was scanned at 250 dots per inch and displayed at 2.4 meters per pixel. The full image shows the State Capitol building as well as University Avenue, Rice Street, Interstate Hwy. 94 and Bethesda Hospital. 

• USGS national digital raster graphics program information, including status map
   
• Downloading digital raster graphics

• View DRGs using:
  • Tons of Maps Online from MnDNR
  • NorthStar Mapper from LMIC
  • The National Map from USGS
  • WMS service from LMIC