Lakewood, CO-  Digital Data Services, Inc. (DDS) announced that it has been awarded a contract with the Bureau of Reclamation’s Ephrata Washington for data conversion and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) data delivery. Under the agreement, DDS will scan, georeference, digitize, and attribute 200 hard-copy maps showing land classification, right-of-ways, and farm units.

The Bureau of Reclamation performed studies in the 1960’s and 1970’s which evaluated soils, slope, and other factors to determine the suitability of land for irrigation.  These studies produced a series of linen and mylar land classification maps that are generally done for each Public Land Survey (PLS) section. As a result of the Odessa Subarea Special Study EIS findings, Reclamation, the State of Washington, and the East Columbia Basin Irrigation District are preparing to replace approximately 70,000 acres of groundwater- based irrigation with Columbia Basin Project surface water.

DDS will convert the original mylar and linen maps into a fully attributed GIS format to assist in the analysis of irrigated lands.  The converted land classification data will be used to determine eligibility for direct replacement or for an “infill” option that allows irrigators to move their operations closer to water conveyance facilities.

“DDS is pleased to consult with Federal agencies in the conversion of spatial-related information into more viable GIS formats to assist in their analysis.” – said Scott C. Carter President of DDS, Inc.

For additional information regarding Digital Data Services, Inc., please visit digitaldataservices.com.