"MT613"|"Cascade County Area, Montana"|21|08/30/2025 17:02:04|21|08/30/2025 17:02:04|08/30/2025 05:34:50|"certified, all components"|"The tabular database was edited and populated according to guidance in Exhibits A and B of National Instruction (NI-305), and Part 610 of the National Soil Survey Handbook. Any spatial data edits were certified correct by the Soil Survey region GIS specialist, State Soil Scientist (SSS), and by the National Digitizing Center. The SSS certified the data population for all map units, and concurred with correlation of all projects mentioned, as they were documented in Soil Survey Area Legend(s), and in the Project Correlation tables.

The SSS certified the data population for all map units, and concurred with correlation of all projects mentioned, as they were documented in Soil Survey Area Legend(s) and in the Project Correlation table.

This dataset also contains the following changes:

Recalculated all national, regional, and local interpretations for all components.

Eleven national interpretations listed below are new or have been updated for Fiscal Year 2025:

ENG - Shallow Excavations
ENG - Construction Materials; Reclamation
FOR - Hand Planting Suitability
SOH - Dynamic Soil Properties Response to Biochar
PFAS - Movement Classes in Soils
FOR - Construction Limitations for Haul Roads/Log Landings
FOR - Harvest Equipment Operability
FOR - Potential Seedling Mortality
FOR - Potential Erosion Hazard (Road/Trail)
FOR - Road Suitability (Natural Surface)
FOR - Log Landing Suitability
There is seventeen new or updated regional interpretations listed below are new for Fiscal Year 2025.

VIN - Vinifera Wine Grape Site Desirability (Long)
VIN - Vinifera Wine Grape Site Desirability (Long to Medium)
VIN - Vinifera Wine Grape Site Desirability (Short to Med)
VIN - Vinifera Wine Grape Site Desirability (Short)
VIN - Hybrid Wine Grape Varieties Site Desirability (Long)
VIN - Hybrid Wine Grape Varieties Site Desirability (Medium)
VIN - Hybrid Wine Grape Varieties Site Desirability (Short)
VIN - American Wine Grape Varieties Site Desirability (VLng)
VIN - American Wine Grape Varieties Site Desirability (Med)
VIN - American Wine Grape Varieties Site Desirability (Sht)
VIN - Muscadine Wine Grape Site Desirability (Very Long)
VIN - American Wine Grape Varieties Site Desirability (Long)
CPS - Cover Crop (340)
CPS - Brush Management (314)
CPS - Heavy Use Area Protection (561)
FOR - Longleaf Pine Suitability
AGR - Suitability for Savanna Restoration"|"<metadata><idinfo><citation><citeinfo><origin>
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources
Conservation Service
</origin><pubdate>20250830</pubdate><title>
Soil Survey Geographic (SSURGO) database for
Cascade County Area, Montana
</title><pubinfo><pubplace>Fort Worth, Texas</pubplace><publish>
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources
Conservation Service
</publish></pubinfo><othercit>mt613</othercit><onlink>URL:http://DataGateway.nrcs.usda.gov/</onlink></citeinfo></citation><descript><abstract>
This data set is a digital soil survey and generally is the most
detailed level of soil geographic data developed by the National
Cooperative Soil Survey. The information was prepared by digitizing
maps, by compiling information onto a planimetric correct base
and digitizing, or by revising digitized maps using remotely
sensed and other information.

This data set consists of georeferenced digital map data and
computerized attribute data. The map data are in a soil survey area
extent format and include a detailed, field verified inventory
of soils and miscellaneous areas that normally occur in a repeatable
pattern on the landscape and that can be cartographically shown at
the scale mapped. A special soil features layer (point and line
features) is optional. This layer displays the location of features
too small to delineate at the mapping scale, but they are large
enough and contrasting enough to significantly influence use and
management. The soil map units are linked to attributes in the
National Soil Information System relational database, which gives
the proportionate extent of the component soils and their properties.
</abstract><purpose>
SSURGO depicts information about the kinds and distribution of
soils on the landscape. The soil map and data used in the SSURGO
product were prepared by soil scientists as part of the National
Cooperative Soil Survey.
</purpose><supplinf>
Digital versions of hydrography, cultural features, and other
associated layers that are not part of the SSURGO data set may be
available from the primary organization listed in the Point of
Contact.
</supplinf></descript><timeperd><timeinfo><rngdates><begdate>19990405</begdate><enddate>20250830</enddate></rngdates></timeinfo><current>publication date</current></timeperd><status><progress>Complete</progress><update>As needed</update></status><spdom><bounding><westbc>-112.048</westbc><eastbc>-110.639</eastbc><northbc>47.699</northbc><southbc>46.913</southbc></bounding></spdom><keywords><theme><themekt>None</themekt><themekey>soil survey</themekey><themekey>soils</themekey><themekey>Soil Survey Geographic</themekey><themekey>SSURGO</themekey></theme><place><placekt>USGS Geographic Names Information System (GNIS)</placekt><placekey>Montana</placekey><placekey>Cascade County</placekey><placekey>Candle Mountain Quadrangle</placekey><placekey>Middle Creek Lake Quadrangle</placekey><placekey>B K Ranch Quadrangle</placekey><placekey>Lander Crossing Quadrangle</placekey><placekey>Waltham Quadrangle</placekey><placekey>Highwood Quadrangle</placekey><placekey>Belt Quadrangle</placekey><placekey>Belt NE Quadrangle</placekey><placekey>Highwood Baldy Quadrangle</placekey><placekey>Armington Quadrangle</placekey><placekey>Blythe Quadrangle</placekey><placekey>Raynesford Quadrangle</placekey><placekey>Riceville Quadrangle</placekey><placekey>Monarch NE Quadrangle</placekey><placekey>Thunder Mountain Quadrangle</placekey><placekey>Monarch Quadrangle</placekey><placekey>Power Quadrangle</placekey><placekey>Vaughn NE Quadrangle</placekey><placekey>Benton Lake West Quadrangle</placekey><placekey>Benton Lake East Quadrangle</placekey><placekey>Flick Lake Quadrangle</placekey><placekey>Floweree Quadrangle</placekey><placekey>Fairfield Quadrangle</placekey><placekey>Fort Shaw Quadrangle</placekey><placekey>Sun River Quadrangle</placekey><placekey>Vaughn Quadrangle</placekey><placekey>Manchester Quadrangle</placekey><placekey>Northwest Great Falls Quadrangle</placekey><placekey>Northeast Great Falls Quadrangle</placekey><placekey>Morony Dam Quadrangle</placekey><placekey>Simms Quadrangle</placekey><placekey>Cascade Colony Quadrangle</placekey><placekey>Fair Haven Colony Quadrangle</placekey><placekey>Ulm Quadrangle</placekey><placekey>Antelope Butte Quadrangle</placekey><placekey>Southwest Great Falls Quadrangle</placekey><placekey>Southeast Great Falls Quadrangle</placekey><placekey>Fife Quadrangle</placekey><placekey>Telegraph Mountain Quadrangle</placekey><placekey>Mount Cecelia Quadrangle</placekey><placekey>Cascade Quadrangle</placekey><placekey>Nelson Island Quadrangle</placekey><placekey>Truly Quadrangle</placekey><placekey>Eden Quadrangle</placekey><placekey>Stockett Quadrangle</placekey><placekey>Mahoney Hill Quadrangle</placekey><placekey>Mid Canon Quadrangle</placekey><placekey>Hardy Quadrangle</placekey><placekey>Rocky Reef Quadrangle</placekey><placekey>Schrammeck Lake Quadrangle</placekey><placekey>Spanish Coulee School Quadrangle</placekey><placekey>Boston Coulee School Quadrangle</placekey><placekey>Calvert Quadrangle</placekey><placekey>Evans Quadrangle</placekey><placekey>Craig Quadrangle</placekey><placekey>The Sawteeth Quadrangle</placekey><placekey>Hound Creek Reservoir Quadrangle</placekey><placekey>Dana Ranch Quadrangle</placekey><placekey>Conway Ridge Quadrangle</placekey><placekey>Millegan Quadrangle</placekey><placekey>Deep Creek Park Quadrangle</placekey><placekey>Blankenbaker Flats Quadrangle</placekey><placekey>Lowry Quadrangle</placekey><placekey>Bowmans Corners NE Quadrangle</placekey><placekey>Henry Creek Quadrangle</placekey><placekey>Coburn Mountain Quadrangle</placekey></place></keywords><accconst>None</accconst><useconst>
The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation
Service, should be acknowledged as the data source in products
derived from these data.

This data set is not designed for use as a primary regulatory tool
in permitting or citing decisions, but may be used as a reference
source. This is public information and may be interpreted by
organizations, agencies, units of government, or others based on
needs; however, they are responsible for the appropriate
application. Federal, State, or local regulatory bodies are not to
reassign to the Natural Resources Conservation Service any
authority for the decisions that they make. The Natural Resources
Conservation Service will not perform any evaluations of these maps
for purposes related solely to State or local regulatory programs.

Photographic or digital enlargement of these maps to scales greater
than at which they were originally mapped can cause misinterpretation
of the data. If enlarged, maps do not show the small areas of
contrasting soils that could have been shown at a larger scale. The
depicted soil boundaries, interpretations, and analysis derived from
them do not eliminate the need for onsite sampling, testing, and
detailed study of specific sites for intensive uses. Thus, these data
and their interpretations are intended for planning purposes only.
Digital data files are periodically updated. Files are dated, and
users are responsible for obtaining the latest version of the data.
</useconst><ptcontac><cntinfo><cntorgp><cntorg>U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service</cntorg></cntorgp><cntpos>State Soil Scientist</cntpos><cntaddr><addrtype>mailing address</addrtype><address>Room 443</address><address>10 East Babcock Street</address><address/><address/><city>Bozeman</city><state>MT</state><postal>59715-4704</postal></cntaddr><cntvoice>406-587-6834</cntvoice><cnttdd/><cntfax/><cntemail>Nathan.Parry@usda.gov</cntemail></cntinfo></ptcontac></idinfo><dataqual><attracc><attraccr>
The attribute accuracy is tested by manual
comparison of the source with hard copy plots and/or symbolized
display of the map data on an interactive computer graphic system.
Selected attributes that cannot be visually verified on plots or
on screen are interactively queried and verified on screen. In
addition, the attributes are tested against a master set of valid
attributes. All attribute data conform to the attribute codes in
the signed classification and correlation document and amendment(s).
</attraccr></attracc><logic>
Certain node/geometry and topology GT- polygon/chain relationships
are collected or generated to satisfy topological requirements
(the GT-polygon corresponds to the soil delineation). Some of these
requirements include: chains must begin and end at nodes, chains
must connect to each other at nodes, chains do not extend through
nodes, left and right GT-polygons are defined for each chain
element and are consistent throughout, and the chains representing
the limits of the file are free of gaps. The tests of logical
consistency are performed using vendor software. All internal
polygons are tested for closure with vendor software and are checked
on hard copy plots. All data are checked for common soil lines (i.e.,
adjacent polygons with the same label). Edge locations generally do
not deviate from centerline to centerline by more than 0.01 inch.
The Cascade County Area, Montana soil survey has been edgematched to
the Lewis and Clark County Area, the Choteau-Conrad Area; Parts of
Teton and Pondera Counties, the Chouteau County Area, and the Judith
Basin Area, Montana soil surveys.
</logic><complete>
A map unit is a collection of areas defined and named in terms of
their soil components or miscellaneous areas or both. Each map
unit differs in some respect from all others in a survey area and
each map unit has a symbol that uniquely identifies the map unit
on a soil map. Each individual area, point, or line so identified
on the map is a delineation.

Soil Scientists identify small areas of soils or miscellaneous areas
that have properties and behavior significantly different than the
named soils in the surrounding map unit. These minor components
may be indicated as special features. If they have a minimal effect
on use and management, or could not be precisely located, they many
not be indicated on the map.

A map unit has specified kinds of soils or miscellaneous areas
(map unit components), each with a designated range in
proportionate extent. Map units include one or more kinds of soil
or miscellaneous area. Miscellaneous areas are areas that have little
or no recognizable soil.

Specific National Cooperative Soil Survey standards and procedures
were used in the classification of soils, design and name of map
units, and location of special soil features. These standards are
outlined in Agricultural Handbook 18, Soil Survey Manual, 1993,
USDA, NRCS; Agricultural Handbook 436, Soil Taxonomy, 1995,
USDA, NRCS; and all Amendments; Keys to Soil Taxonomy,
(current issue) USDA, NRCS; National Soil Survey
Handbook, title 430-VI,(current issue) USDA, NRCS.

The actual composition and interpretive purity of the map unit
delineations were based on data collected by scientists during
the course of preparing the soil maps. Adherence to National
Cooperative Soil Survey standards and procedures is based on
peer review, quality control, and quality assurance. Quality
control is outlined in the memorandum of understanding for the
soil survey area and in documents that reside with the Natural
Resources Conservation Service state soil scientist. Four kinds
of map units are used in soil surveys: consociations, complexes,
associations, and undifferentiated groups.

Consociations - Consociations are named for the dominant soil.
In a consociation, delineated areas use a single name from the
dominant component in the map unit. Dissimilar components are
minor in extent. The soil component in a consociation may be
identified at any taxonomic level. Soil series is the lowest
taxonomic level. A consociation that is named as a miscellaneous
area is dominantly that kind of area and minor components do not
significantly affect the use of the map unit. The total amount of
dissimilar inclusions of other components in a map unit generally
does not exceed about 15 percent if limiting and 25 percent if
nonlimiting. A single component of a dissimilar limiting inclusion
generally does not exceed 10 percent if very contrasting.

Complexes and associations - Complexes and associations consist
of two or more  dissimilar components that occur in a regularly
repeating pattern. The total amount of other dissimilar components
is minor extent. The following arbitrary rule determines whether
complex or association is used in the name. The major components
of an association can be separated at the scale of mapping. In
either case, because the major components are sufficiently different
in morphology or behavior, the map unit cannot be called a
consociation. In each delineation of a complex or an association,
each major component is normally present though their proportions
may vary appreciably from one delineation to another. The total
amount of inclusions in a map unit that are dissimilar to any of
the major components does not exceed 15 percent if limiting and
25 percent if nonlimiting. A single kind of dissimilar limiting
inclusion usually does not exceed 10 percent.

Undifferentiated groups - Undifferentiated groups consist of two
or more components that are not consistently associated
geographically and, therefore, do not always occur together in
the same map delineation. These components are included in the
same named map unit because their use and management are the same
or very similar for common uses. Generally they are grouped together
because some common feature, such as steepness, stoniness, or
flooding, determines their use and management. If two or more
additional map units would serve no useful purpose, they may be
included in the same unit. Each delineation has at least one of the
major components, and some may have all of them. The same principles
regarding the proportion of minor components that apply to
consociations also apply to undifferentiated groups. The same
principles regarding proportion of inclusion apply to
undifferentiated groups as to consociations.

Minimum documentation consists of three complete soil profile
descriptions that are collected for each soil added to the legend,
one additional per 3,000 acres mapped; three 10 observation
transects for each map unit, one additional 10 point transect per
3,000 acres.

A defined standard or level of confidence in the interpretive
purity of the map unit delineations is attained by adjusting the
kind and intensity of field investigations. Field investigations
and data collection are carried out in sufficient detail to name
map units and to identify accurately and consistently areas of
about 4 acres.
</complete><posacc><horizpa><horizpar>
The accuracy of these digital data is based upon their
compilation to base maps that meet National Map
Accuracy Standards at a scale of 1 inch equals 1,000
feet. The difference in positional accuracy between the
soil boundaries and special soil features locations in the
field and their digitized map locations is unknown. The
locational accuracy of soil delineations on the ground varies
with the transition between map units.

For example, on long gently sloping landscapes the transition
occurs gradually over many feet. Where landscapes change
abruptly from steep to level, the transition will be very
narrow. Soil delineation boundaries and special soil features
generally were digitized within 0.01 inch of their locations on
the digitizing source. The digital map elements are edge matched
between data sets. The data along each quadrangle edge are
matched against the data for the adjacent quadrangle. Edge
locations generally do not deviate from centerline to centerline
by more than 0.01 inch.
</horizpar></horizpa></posacc><lineage><srcinfo><srccite><citeinfo><origin>
U.S. Department of Agriculture,
Soil Conservation Service
</origin><pubdate>1982</pubdate><title>Soil Survey of Cascade County Area, Montana</title><geoform>atlas</geoform><pubinfo><pubplace>Washington DC</pubplace><publish>U.S. Government Printing Office</publish></pubinfo></citeinfo></srccite><srcscale>24000</srcscale><typesrc>paper</typesrc><srctime><timeinfo><sngdate><caldate>1982</caldate></sngdate></timeinfo><srccurr>publication date</srccurr></srctime><srccitea>NRCS1</srccitea><srccontr>basic reference about soils and landscapes</srccontr></srcinfo><srcinfo><srccite><citeinfo><origin>U.S. Geological Survey</origin><pubdate>1972-1989</pubdate><title>multiple 7.5 minute topographic quadrangles</title><geoform>map</geoform><pubinfo><pubplace>Reston, Virginia</pubplace><publish>U.S. Geological Survey</publish></pubinfo></citeinfo></srccite><srcscale>24000</srcscale><typesrc>stable-base material</typesrc><srctime><timeinfo><rngdates><begdate>1962</begdate><enddate>1987</enddate></rngdates></timeinfo><srccurr>publication date</srccurr></srctime><srccitea>USGS1</srccitea><srccontr>source used to digitize county boundaries</srccontr></srcinfo><srcinfo><srccite><citeinfo><origin>
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources
Conservation Service
</origin><pubdate>unpublished material</pubdate><title>publication annotation overlays (flat sheets)</title><geoform>map</geoform></citeinfo></srccite><srcscale>24000</srcscale><typesrc>paper</typesrc><srctime><timeinfo><rngdates><begdate>1995</begdate><enddate>1999</enddate></rngdates></timeinfo><srccurr>publication date</srccurr></srctime><srccitea>NRCS2</srccitea><srccontr>
source used for scanning soil lines and digitizing
special soil features
</srccontr></srcinfo><srcinfo><srccite><citeinfo><origin>
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources
Conservation Service
</origin><pubdate>unpublished material</pubdate><title>
DLG-3 files of soil and special features of Cascade County
Area, Montana
</title><geoform>map</geoform></citeinfo></srccite><srcscale>24000</srcscale><typesrc>magnetic tape</typesrc><srctime><timeinfo><rngdates><begdate>1997</begdate><enddate>1999</enddate></rngdates></timeinfo><srccurr>publication date</srccurr></srctime><srccitea>NRCS3</srccitea><srccontr>digital soils and special features for SSURGO</srccontr></srcinfo><srcinfo><srccite><citeinfo><origin>
U.S. Department of Agriculture,
Natural Resources Conservation Service
</origin><pubdate>1999</pubdate><title>
Soil Survey Geographic (SSURGO) database for Cascade
County Area, Montana
</title><geoform>map</geoform><pubinfo><pubplace>Ft. Worth, Texas</pubplace><publish>
U.S. Department of Agriculture,
Natural Resources Conservation Service,
National Cartography and Geospatial Center
</publish></pubinfo></citeinfo></srccite><srcscale>24000</srcscale><typesrc>online</typesrc><srctime><timeinfo><sngdate><caldate>2002</caldate></sngdate></timeinfo><srccurr>publication date</srccurr></srctime><srccitea>NRCS4</srccitea><srccontr>source used to apply digital revisions</srccontr></srcinfo><srcinfo><srccite><citeinfo><origin>
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources
Conservation Service
</origin><pubdate>2002</pubdate><title>Soil Survey Geographic (SSURGO) database for</title><geoform>map</geoform><pubinfo><pubplace>Ft. Worth, Texas</pubplace><publish>
U.S. Department of Agriculture,
Natural Resources Conservation Service,
National Cartography and Geospatial Center
</publish></pubinfo></citeinfo></srccite><srcscale>24000</srcscale><typesrc>online</typesrc><srctime><timeinfo><sngdate><caldate>2003</caldate></sngdate></timeinfo><srccurr>publication date</srccurr></srctime><srccitea>NRCS5</srccitea><srccontr>source used to apply revisions</srccontr></srcinfo><srcinfo><srccite><citeinfo><origin>
U.S. Department of Agriculture,
Natural Resources Conservation Service
</origin><pubdate>unpublished material</pubdate><title>MrSID compressed image for Cascade County Area, Montana</title><geoform>map</geoform></citeinfo></srccite><srcscale>24000</srcscale><typesrc>CD-ROM</typesrc><srctime><timeinfo><sngdate><caldate>2003</caldate></sngdate></timeinfo><srccurr>2003</srccurr></srctime><srccitea>NRCS6</srccitea><srccontr>NAD83 ortho imagery used for quality control</srccontr></srcinfo><srcinfo><srccite><citeinfo><origin>
U.S. Department of Agriculture,
Natural Resources Conservation Service
</origin><pubdate>unpublished material</pubdate><title>
ARC INTERCHANGE files for the survey of Cascade County
Area, Montana
</title><geoform>map</geoform></citeinfo></srccite><srcscale>24000</srcscale><typesrc>CD-ROM</typesrc><srctime><timeinfo><sngdate><caldate>2003</caldate></sngdate></timeinfo><srccurr>2003</srccurr></srctime><srccitea>NRCS7</srccitea><srccontr>
digital information containing area and special
soil features for evaluation for SSURGO
</srccontr></srcinfo><srcinfo><srccite><citeinfo><origin>
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources
Conservation Service
</origin><pubdate>2003</pubdate><title>
National Soil Information System (NASIS) database for
Cascade County Area, Montana
</title><geoform>tabular digital data</geoform><pubinfo><pubplace>Fort Collins, Colorado</pubplace><publish>
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources
Conservation Service, Information Technology Center
</publish></pubinfo></citeinfo></srccite><typesrc>online</typesrc><srctime><timeinfo><sngdate><caldate>2003</caldate></sngdate></timeinfo><srccurr>export certification date</srccurr></srctime><srccitea>NRCS8</srccitea><srccontr>tabular data linked to spatial soil data</srccontr></srcinfo><srcinfo><srccite><citeinfo><origin>
U.S. Department of Agriculture,
Natural Resources Conservation Service
</origin><pubdate>2004</pubdate><title>National Soil Information System (NASIS) data base</title><geoform>unknown</geoform><pubinfo><pubplace>Fort Collins, Colorado</pubplace><publish>
U.S. Department of Agriculture,
Natural Resources Conservation Service
</publish></pubinfo></citeinfo></srccite><typesrc>database</typesrc><srctime><timeinfo><sngdate><caldate>2003</caldate></sngdate></timeinfo><srccurr>publication date</srccurr></srctime><srccitea>NASIS</srccitea><srccontr>attribute (tabular) information</srccontr></srcinfo><srcinfo><srccite><citeinfo><origin>
USDA Farm Service Agency,
USDA-FSA Aerial Photography Field Office (APFO)
</origin><pubdate>20120101</pubdate><title>2012 National Agricultural Imagery Program (NAIP) Imagery</title></citeinfo></srccite><typesrc>onLine</typesrc><srctime><timeinfo><rngdates><begdate>20120101</begdate><enddate>20121231</enddate></rngdates></timeinfo><srccurr>publication date</srccurr></srctime><srccitea>NAIP1</srccitea><srccontr>
used for update mapping, quality control of line placement
and map unit concepts
</srccontr></srcinfo><srcinfo><srccite><citeinfo><origin>U.S. Geological Survey</origin><pubdate>20170101</pubdate><title>National Elevation Dataset 10M</title></citeinfo></srccite><typesrc>None</typesrc><srctime><timeinfo><rngdates><begdate>20170101</begdate><enddate>20171231</enddate></rngdates></timeinfo><srccurr>publication date</srccurr></srctime><srccitea>USGS2</srccitea><srccontr>used for validation of line placement and map unit concepts</srccontr></srcinfo><srcinfo><srccite><citeinfo><origin>U.S. Geological Survey</origin><pubdate>20170101</pubdate><title>USGS Digital Raster Graphic Program</title></citeinfo></srccite><typesrc>onLine</typesrc><srctime><timeinfo><rngdates><begdate>20170101</begdate><enddate>20170801</enddate></rngdates></timeinfo><srccurr>publication date</srccurr></srctime><srccitea>USGS3</srccitea><srccontr>used for validation of line placement and map unit concepts</srccontr></srcinfo><srcinfo><srccite><citeinfo><origin>
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources
Conservation Service
</origin><pubdate>unpublished material</pubdate><title>region 4 soils geodatabase</title><geoform>file geodatabase</geoform></citeinfo></srccite><typesrc>vector digital data</typesrc><srctime><timeinfo><rngdates><begdate>2006</begdate><enddate>2018</enddate></rngdates></timeinfo><srccurr>SSURGO publication date</srccurr></srctime><srccitea>NRCS9</srccitea><srccontr>Source of digital revision - recreated yearly</srccontr></srcinfo><procstep><procdesc>
Cascade County Area, Montana had a previously
published soil survey, 1982, at 1:24000 scale.  An evaluation was
made of the soil survey in 1995.  It was determined that the soil map
unit delineations and map unit components were accurate.
</procdesc><srcused>NRCS1</srcused><procdate>1995</procdate></procstep><procstep><procdesc>
The publication annotation overlays (flat sheets)
were raster scanned at 300 dots per inch on an Ideal SSS8000 scanner
at SMD Engineering in Helena, Montana.  The raster files were converted
to vector files in LTPlus 3.21 by a resource conservationist on staff
at the Great Falls Field Office, in Great Falls, Montana.  The
vector maps were exported using the [export digit] command in
LTPlus 3.21.
</procdesc><srcused>NRCS2</srcused><procdate>1995</procdate></procstep><procstep><procdesc>
The vector maps containing soil line delineations
were imported into GRASS, Version 4.0 by a resource conservationist on
staff at the Great Falls Field Office.  The processing, editing,
map neatline development, labeling, edge matching, and vector editing
were done in GRASS, Version 4.0.  County boundaries were manually
digitized using 7.5 topographic quadrangles as the source.  The
special soil features layer was manually digitized using publication
annotation flat sheets as the source.  The data were created and
maintained in North American Datum of 1927.  The data were sent to
the Montana Digitizing Unit in Bozeman, Montana for quality assurance
testing and further editing.
</procdesc><srcused>NRCS1, NRCS2, USGS1, NRCS3</srcused><procdate>1997</procdate></procstep><procstep><procdesc>
The DLG-3 files were imported to LT4X, Version
4.11 by cartographic technicians on staff at the Montana Digitizing
Unit in Bozeman, Montana.  Quality control was accomplished according
to SSURGO standards and specifications.  Edits on labeling and line
delineations were performed by a soil scientist.  The edits were
applied in LT4X, Version 4.11.  Digital Line Graph, Optional (DLG-3)
files were written with export_area SSURGO and export_spec SSURGO
options.
</procdesc><srcused>NRCS1, NRCS2, USGS1, NRCS3</srcused><procdate>1999</procdate></procstep><procstep><procdesc>
The DLG-3 files were imported for verification in
ARC/INFO Version 7.2.1.  A pseudo node and label mismatches were
corrected using ARCEDIT to insure a quality join between quadrangles
within the soil survey area.  New DLG-3 files were written.  The
DLG-3 files were forwarded to the National Cartography and Geospatial
Center in Ft. Worth, TX for archiving and distribution.
</procdesc><srcused>NRCS2, NRCS3</srcused><procdate>1999</procdate></procstep><procstep><procdesc>
The Map Unit Interpretations Record data base
was developed by the Natural Resources Conservation Service soil
scientists according to national standards and updated to reflect
changes in interpretations.
</procdesc><srcused>NRCS1</srcused><procdate>1999</procdate></procstep><procstep><procdesc>
The online SSURGO data were imported to ARC/INFO,
Version 7.2.1 at the Natural Resources Conservation Service, Montana
Digitizing Unit.  The SSURGO data were processed through revised
evaluation program macros dated October 1998.  ARCEDIT was used to
join to adjacent survey boundaries.  Minor codes were renamed to link
spatial data map unit labels to the National Soil Information
System data base.  New DLG-3's were written.  The data were
forwarded to the National Cartography and Geospatial Center in
Ft. Worth, Texas for archiving and distribution.
</procdesc><srcused>NRCS4</srcused><procdate>2002</procdate></procstep><procstep><procdesc>
The National Soil Information System data base
was developed by Natural Resources Conservation Service soil
scientists according to national standards.
</procdesc><srcused>NRCS1</srcused><procdate>2002</procdate></procstep><procstep><procdesc>
The SSURGO survey-wide coverages and MrSID compressed imagery were
imported to ARC 8.3 ArcMap by a soil scientist on staff at the
Natural Resources Conservation Service state office. Topology tools
were used to revise temporal areas.  Soil scientist edits were applied.
Small water areas were considered for special spot features labeled
WAT. The data were compared to the NASIS tabular information.  ARC
INTERCHANGE files were written, then forwarded to certification staff
at the Montana Digitizing Unit for verification for SSURGO.
</procdesc><srcused>NRCS5, NRCS6, NRCS7, NRCS8</srcused><procdate>2003</procdate></procstep><procstep><procdesc>
The ARC INTERCHANGE files and NASIS information
were imported to ARC/INFO, Version 8.2 by certification staff at the
Montana Digitizing Unit.  The data were processed through evaluation
macros dated June 2003. Boundaries were validated to adjacent soil
survey areas. The data were forwarded to the National Cartography and
Geospatial Center in Ft. Worth, Texas for archiving and distribution.
</procdesc><srcused>NRCS7, NRCS8</srcused><procdate>2003</procdate></procstep><procstep><procdesc>
The National Soil Information System data base
for Cascade County Area, Montana was updated by Natural Resources
Conservation Service soil scientists according to national standards.
</procdesc><srcused>NRCS1, NRCS7</srcused><procdate>2002</procdate></procstep><procstep><procdesc>
The 6/7/06 Update: The following edit tasks performed:
Component Name set to proper case
Strip ""and similar soils"" from comp name
Set and validate map unit name case
Flag minor components as ""NO""
Ensure veg. production for all soil components

At component level (those named as series only)...
Populate Albedo
...horizon structure
...slope shape
...landform
...parent material
...horizon designations
...Representative textures
...Kf below the surface
...Run all validations and resolve
</procdesc><srcused>NASIS</srcused><procdate>20040420</procdate></procstep><procstep><procdesc>
The full set of Military and Department of
Homeland Security Interpretations have been added.
</procdesc><srcused>NASIS</srcused><procdate>20060828</procdate></procstep><procstep><procdesc>
The 4/18/07 update includes refreshed Montana Modeled non-irrigated
small grain yields and adds the Montana sprinkler
irrigation interpretation.
</procdesc><srcused>NASIS</srcused><procdate>20070419</procdate></procstep><procstep><procdesc>This 5/2/07 version adds previously missing ecological sites.</procdesc><srcused>NASIS</srcused><procdate>20070502</procdate></procstep><procstep><procdesc>
The 8/14/09 update reflects adding/refreshing 11 national
BLM interpretations. No edits to spatial data.
</procdesc><srcused>NASIS</srcused><procdate>20090814</procdate></procstep><procstep><procdesc>
The 9/14/10 Update includes attribute data calculations for:
Total Fragment Volume, KF-KW, Exchangeable Acidity, HSG, WEG-WEI,
concrete corrosion, Steel corrosion, Tfactor, refresh generated
brief non-tech description.
</procdesc><srcused>NASIS</srcused><procdate>20100914</procdate></procstep><procstep><procdesc>
The spatial data for Cascade County Area, Montana
soil survey area was downloaded from the Soil Data Mart on October 15, 2012.
The individual shapefiles were appended into a geodatabase for region 4.
The data were processed in ARCGIS 10.1 using a topology object with a
0.1 meter cluster tolerance for the purpose of eliminating gaps and overlaps
within the region 4 soils geodatabase.  Individual soil survey area data
were exported as shapefiles from the regional geodatabase.  A datum
transformation from NAD83 to WGS84 using the NAD_1983_To_WGS_1984_1 datum
transformation method was applied to the data.  The data were checked with
the SSURGO Evaluation scripts provided by U.S. Department of Agriculture,
Natural Resources Conservation Service. The shapefiles were then uploaded
to the soil data warehouse for archival and distribution.
</procdesc><srcused>NRCS9</srcused><procdate>2013</procdate></procstep><procstep><procdesc>
Mapunit symbol mislabels corrected. One polygon of MUSYM 22
changed to MUSYM 118 and one polygon of MUSYM 48 changed to MUSYM 96.
</procdesc><srcused>NAIP1, NRCS9</srcused><procdate>20150910</procdate></procstep><procstep><procdesc>The spatial data has been updated for joins with MT632.</procdesc><srcused>USGS2, USGS3, NAIP1, NRCS9</srcused><procdate>20170807</procdate></procstep><procstep><procdesc>
The spatial data for the entire SSURGO database was recertified in October
of 2019 to reduce storage requirements and to improve map display
and geoprocessing performance.  The SSURGO data is internally managed
using 12 Regional Transactional Spatial Databases (RTSD) that are in
an ESRI File Geodatabase format.  The spatial extent of the RTSDs follow the
Soil and Plant Science Division (SPSD) regional administrative boundaries.
The XY coordinate system of this RTSD is USA Contiguous Albers Equal Area
Conic USGS Version WKID: 102039 and has an XY storage precision of 0.001
meters.  The RTSDs were recreated using a reduced storage precision of 0.1
meters to reduce the physical size of the data.  The SSURGO data was also
generalized by removing excess vertices, using a tolerance of 1 meter.
The topology was validated at the CONUS level using a tolerance of 0.2
meters.  This effort directly affects the gSSURGO and gNATSGO product since
these deliverables are in a File Geodatabase format.
</procdesc><srcused>NRCS9</srcused><procdate>2019</procdate></procstep><procstep><procdesc>
The Natural Resources Conservation Service State Soil Scientist or
delegate, upon completion of data quality verification, determined
that the tabular data should be released for official use. A
selected set of map units and components in the soil survey legend was
copied to a staging database, and rating values for selected
interpretations were generated. The list of selected interpretations is
stored in the database table named sainterp.
</procdesc><srcused>NASIS</srcused><procdate>20200609</procdate></procstep><procstep><procdesc>
The Natural Resources Conservation Service State Soil Scientist or
delegate verified that the labels on the digitized soil map units
link to map units in the tabular database, and certified the joined
data sets for release to the Soil Data Warehouse. A system assigned
version number and date stamp were added and the data were copied to
the data warehouse. The tabular data for the map units and components
were extracted from the data warehouse and reformatted into the soil
data delivery data model, then stored in the Soil Data Mart. The spatial
data were copied to the Soil Data Mart without change.
</procdesc><srcused>NASIS</srcused><procdate>20200609</procdate></procstep><procstep><procdesc>
The Natural Resources Conservation Service State Soil Scientist or
delegate, upon completion of data quality verification, determined
that the tabular data should be released for official use. A
selected set of map units and components in the soil survey legend was
copied to a staging database, and rating values for selected
interpretations were generated. The list of selected interpretations is
stored in the database table named sainterp.
</procdesc><srcused>NASIS</srcused><procdate>20210902</procdate></procstep><procstep><procdesc>
The Natural Resources Conservation Service State Soil Scientist or
delegate verified that the labels on the digitized soil map units
link to map units in the tabular database, and certified the joined
data sets for release to the Soil Data Warehouse. A system assigned
version number and date stamp were added and the data were copied to
the data warehouse. The tabular data for the map units and components
were extracted from the data warehouse and reformatted into the soil
data delivery data model, then stored in the Soil Data Mart. The spatial
data were copied to the Soil Data Mart without change.
</procdesc><srcused>NASIS</srcused><procdate>20210902</procdate></procstep><procstep><procdesc>
The Natural Resources Conservation Service State Soil Scientist or
delegate, upon completion of data quality verification, determined
that the tabular data should be released for official use. A
selected set of map units and components in the soil survey legend was
copied to a staging database, and rating values for selected
interpretations were generated. The list of selected interpretations is
stored in the database table named sainterp.
</procdesc><srcused>NASIS</srcused><procdate>20220826</procdate></procstep><procstep><procdesc>
The Natural Resources Conservation Service State Soil Scientist or
delegate verified that the labels on the digitized soil map units
link to map units in the tabular database, and certified the joined
data sets for release to the Soil Data Warehouse. A system assigned
version number and date stamp were added and the data were copied to
the data warehouse. The tabular data for the map units and components
were extracted from the data warehouse and reformatted into the soil
data delivery data model, then stored in the Soil Data Mart. The spatial
data were copied to the Soil Data Mart without change.
</procdesc><srcused>NASIS</srcused><procdate>20220826</procdate></procstep><procstep><procdesc>
The Natural Resources Conservation Service State Soil Scientist or
delegate, upon completion of data quality verification, determined
that the tabular data should be released for official use. A
selected set of map units and components in the soil survey legend was
copied to a staging database, and rating values for selected
interpretations were generated. The list of selected interpretations is
stored in the database table named sainterp.
</procdesc><srcused>NASIS</srcused><procdate>20230824</procdate></procstep><procstep><procdesc>
The Natural Resources Conservation Service State Soil Scientist or
delegate verified that the labels on the digitized soil map units
link to map units in the tabular database, and certified the joined
data sets for release to the Soil Data Warehouse. A system assigned
version number and date stamp were added and the data were copied to
the data warehouse. The tabular data for the map units and components
were extracted from the data warehouse and reformatted into the soil
data delivery data model, then stored in the Soil Data Mart. The spatial
data were copied to the Soil Data Mart without change.
</procdesc><srcused>NASIS</srcused><procdate>20230824</procdate></procstep><procstep><procdesc>
Map unit symbols previously delineated as 188 were replaced with map unit
symbols 93D to more accurately reflect variations in geomorphology.
Additional minor edits to polygon geometry were done to correct soil lines
that were previously not compliant with NRCS cartography standards.
</procdesc><srcused>NASIS</srcused><procdate>20240409</procdate></procstep><procstep><procdesc>
The Natural Resources Conservation Service State Soil Scientist or
delegate, upon completion of data quality verification, determined
that the tabular data should be released for official use. A
selected set of map units and components in the soil survey legend was
copied to a staging database, and rating values for selected
interpretations were generated. The list of selected interpretations is
stored in the database table named sainterp.
</procdesc><srcused>NASIS</srcused><procdate>20240821</procdate></procstep><procstep><procdesc>
The Natural Resources Conservation Service State Soil Scientist or
delegate verified that the labels on the digitized soil map units
link to map units in the tabular database, and certified the joined
data sets for release to the Soil Data Warehouse. A system assigned
version number and date stamp were added and the data were copied to
the data warehouse. The tabular data for the map units and components
were extracted from the data warehouse and reformatted into the soil
data delivery data model, then stored in the Soil Data Mart. The spatial
data were copied to the Soil Data Mart without change.
</procdesc><srcused>NASIS</srcused><procdate>20240821</procdate></procstep><procstep><procdesc>
The Natural Resources Conservation Service State Soil Scientist or
delegate, upon completion of data quality verification, determined
that the tabular data should be released for official use. A
selected set of map units and components in the soil survey legend was
copied to a staging database, and rating values for selected
interpretations were generated. The list of selected interpretations is
stored in the database table named sainterp.
</procdesc><srcused>NASIS</srcused><procdate>20240822</procdate></procstep><procstep><procdesc>
The Natural Resources Conservation Service State Soil Scientist or
delegate verified that the labels on the digitized soil map units
link to map units in the tabular database, and certified the joined
data sets for release to the Soil Data Warehouse. A system assigned
version number and date stamp were added and the data were copied to
the data warehouse. The tabular data for the map units and components
were extracted from the data warehouse and reformatted into the soil
data delivery data model, then stored in the Soil Data Mart. The spatial
data were copied to the Soil Data Mart without change.
</procdesc><srcused>NASIS</srcused><procdate>20240822</procdate></procstep><procstep><procdesc>
Minor edits to polygon geometry were made in order to comply with NRCS
cartographic standards. No changes were made to soil polygon attribute
data.
</procdesc><srcused>NASIS</srcused><procdate>20241016</procdate></procstep><procstep><procdesc>
Minor changes to the XY resolution of the spatial data were made to comply
with NRCS cartographic standards. No changes were made to soil map unit
attributes.
</procdesc><srcused>NASIS</srcused><procdate>20250317</procdate></procstep><procstep><procdesc>
The Natural Resources Conservation Service State Soil Scientist or
delegate, upon completion of data quality verification, determined
that the tabular data should be released for official use. A
selected set of map units and components in the soil survey legend was
copied to a staging database, and rating values for selected
interpretations were generated. The list of selected interpretations is
stored in the database table named sainterp.
</procdesc><srcused>NASIS</srcused><procdate>20250830</procdate></procstep><procstep><procdesc>
The Natural Resources Conservation Service State Soil Scientist or
delegate verified that the labels on the digitized soil map units
link to map units in the tabular database, and certified the joined
data sets for release to the Soil Data Warehouse. A system assigned
version number and date stamp were added and the data were copied to
the data warehouse. The tabular data for the map units and components
were extracted from the data warehouse and reformatted into the soil
data delivery data model, then stored in the Soil Data Mart. The spatial
data were copied to the Soil Data Mart without change.
</procdesc><srcused>NASIS</srcused><procdate>20250830</procdate></procstep></lineage></dataqual><spdoinfo><direct>Vector</direct></spdoinfo><spref><horizsys><geograph><latres>0.000001</latres><longres>0.0000001</longres><geogunit>decimal degrees</geogunit></geograph><geodetic><horizdn>World Geodetic System 1984</horizdn><ellips>World Geodetic System 1984</ellips><semiaxis>6378137.00000</semiaxis><denflat>298.257222</denflat></geodetic></horizsys></spref><eainfo><detailed><enttyp><enttypl>Special Soil Features</enttypl><enttypd>
Special Soil Features represent soil, miscellaneous area, or landform
features that are too small to be digitized as soil delineations
(area features).
</enttypd><enttypds>Agricultural Handbook 18, Soil Survey Manual, 1993, USDA, SCS.</enttypds></enttyp><attr><attrlabl>Special Soil Features Codes</attrlabl><attrdef>
Special Soil Features labels represent specific Special Soil
Features. These features are identified with a descriptive
label. The label is assigned to the point or line assigned
to represent the feature on maps.
</attrdef><attrdefs>
Agricultural Handbook 18, Soil Survey Manual, 1993, USDA, SCS;
National Soil Survey Handbook, Title 430-VI, part 647
(current issue), USDA, NRCS.
</attrdefs><attrdomv><codesetd><codesetn>
Classification and Correlation of the Soils of Cascade County
Area, Montana
</codesetn><codesets>
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources
Conservation Service
</codesets></codesetd></attrdomv></attr></detailed><overview><eaover>
Map Unit Delineations are closed polygons that may be dominated
by a single soil or miscellaneous area component plus allowable
similar or dissimilar soils, or they can be geographic mixtures
of groups of soils or soils and miscellaneous areas.

The map unit symbol uniquely identifies each closed map unit
delineation. Each symbol corresponds to a map unit name. The
map unit key is used to link to information in the National
Soil Information System tables.

Map Unit Delineations are described by the National Soil
Information System database. This attribute database gives the
proportionate extent of the component soils and the properties for
each soil. The database contains both estimated and measured data
on the physical and chemical soil properties and soil
interpretations for engineering, water management, recreation,
agronomic, woodland, range, and wildlife uses of the soil.

The National Soil Information System database contains static
metadata. It documents the data structure and includes such
information as what tables, columns, indexes, and relationships
are defined as well as a variety of attributes of each of these
database objects. Attributes include table and column
descriptions and detailed domain information.

The National Soil Information System database also contains a
distribution metadata. It records the criteria used for selecting
map units and components for inclusion in the set of distributed
data.

Special features are described in the feature table.  It includes an
area symbol, feature label, feature name, and feature description for
each special and ad hoc feature in the survey area.
</eaover><eadetcit>
Soil Taxonomy: A basic system of soil classification for making and
interpreting soil surveys. Agricultural Handbook 436, 1999, USDA, SCS.

Keys to Soil Taxonomy (current issue), USDA, SCS.

National Soil Survey Handbook, Title 430-VI, part 647 (current
issue), USDA, NRCS.

Agricultural Handbook 18, Soil Survey Manual, 1993, USDA, SCS.
</eadetcit></overview></eainfo><distinfo><distrib><cntinfo><cntorgp><cntorg>
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural
Resources Conservation Service, National
Geospatial Center of Excellence
</cntorg></cntorgp><cntaddr><addrtype>mailing and physical address</addrtype><address>501 West Felix Street, Building 23</address><city>Fort Worth</city><state>Texas</state><postal>76115</postal></cntaddr><cntvoice>800 672 5559</cntvoice><cnttdd>202 720 2600</cnttdd><cntfax>817 509 3469</cntfax></cntinfo></distrib><resdesc>Cascade County Area, Montana SSURGO</resdesc><distliab>
Although these data have been processed successfully on a computer
system at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, no warranty expressed
or implied is made by the Agency regarding the utility of the data
on any other system, nor shall the act of distribution constitute
any such warranty. The U.S. Department of Agriculture will warrant
the delivery of this product in computer readable format, and will
offer appropriate adjustment of credit when the product is determined
unreadable by correctly adjusted computer input peripherals, or
when the physical medium is delivered in damaged condition. Request
for adjustment of credit must be made within 90 days from the date
of this shipment from the ordering site.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture, nor any of its agencies are
liable for misuse of the data, for damage, for transmission of
viruses, or for computer contamination through the distribution of
these data sets. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits
discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race,
color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political
beliefs, sexual orientation, or marital or family status. (Not all
prohibited bases apply to all programs.)
</distliab><stdorder><digform><digtinfo><formname>ESRI shapefile</formname><formcont>spatial</formcont><transize>39.3</transize></digtinfo><digtopt><onlinopt><computer><networka><networkr>URL:http://DataGateway.nrcs.usda.gov/</networkr></networka></computer><accinstr>
Select desired survey area at above Internet
Web site. An email address is required for receipt of
instructions on retrieval via anonymous FTP. Anticipate a
delay between submission of request at Web site and receipt of
email message.
</accinstr></onlinopt></digtopt></digform><fees>
There is currently no direct charge for requesting data or for
retrieval via FTP.
</fees><ordering>
Visit the above mentioned Internet Web Site, select state or
territory, then select individual soil survey area of interest.
Spatial line data and locations of special feature symbols are in
ESRI ArcGIS shapefile, format. The National Soil Information
System attribute soil data are available in variable length, pipe
delimited, ASCII file format.
</ordering><turnarnd>Typically within four hours</turnarnd></stdorder></distinfo><metainfo><metd>20250830</metd><metc><cntinfo><cntorgp><cntorg>U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service</cntorg></cntorgp><cntpos>State Soil Scientist</cntpos><cntaddr><addrtype>mailing address</addrtype><address>Room 443</address><address>10 East Babcock Street</address><address/><address/><city>Bozeman</city><state>MT</state><postal>59715-4704</postal></cntaddr><cntvoice>406-587-6834</cntvoice><cnttdd/><cntfax/><cntemail>Nathan.Parry@usda.gov</cntemail></cntinfo></metc><metstdn>Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata</metstdn><metstdv>FGDC-STD-001-1998</metstdv></metainfo></metadata>"|"13041"
