MGDC:  GIS Data

This section of the Minnesota Geographic Data Clearinghouse is a starting point to find Minnesota geospatial data needed for Geographic Information Systems (GIS).

Search tool
First-stop information by theme
Data catalogs
Web map services
Preview and download existing data
Minnesota data plans
 

Search tool

Search regional data centers that distribute digital geographic data about Minnesota and neighboring regions.

 

First-stop information by theme

First-stop information pages provide an overview of Minnesota GIS data and related resources available for each theme. Additional themes are under development.

• Aerial photography
• Elevation: including LiDAR, DEMs, contours, and topographic maps  New! 10/09
• Emergency preparedness: materials compiled by the Emergency Preparedness Committee
• Geology
• Land ownership
• Land use / land cover
• Soils
• Utilities and telecommunications
• Water
  • Ground water  New! 8/09
  • Surface water
     

Data catalogs

Browse lists of GIS data sets maintained by several major data distributors in Minnesota; most data is free online.

    Statewide

• MnGeo online data catalog: Data available from MnGeo and other agencies
• Data Deli: Natural resource and related data from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
• Mn/DOT: See "GIS Maps" section for transportation and related data from the Minnesota Department of Transportation
• Legislative Geographic Information Services: Data on demographics, elections, redistricting and related topics

    Regional

• DataFinder: Twin Cities data from the MetroGIS project
• Minnesota River Basin Data Center: Download GIS data for the Minnesota River Basin created by the Water Resources Center at the Minnesota State University, Mankato.
• Red River Basin Decision Support Network: View maps and download GIS data for the Red River Basin in northwest Minnesota, North Dakota and Manitoba.
   

Web map services

View air photos, topographic maps and other data directly using GIS software without needing to download the data.

• MnGeo (statewide)
• Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (statewide)
• USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (national)
   

Preview and download selected data

Preview a data set, compare it with similar data and download the entire data set or choose a geographic subset of the file to download.

• MnGeo's Clip-'n-ship: Currently available for raster, boundary, geology, health, hydrography, and social data sets.
• DataFinder Cafe: Data for the Twin Cities metropolitan area.
   

Minnesota data plans

• Minnesota State GIS Enterprise Conceptual Architecture Design, March 2005. This document defines a high-level architecture for information technology and web-mapping interoperability in support of the goals outlined in the state’s strategic plan for GIS: the Minnesota Spatial Data Infrastructure. The structural design proposed would promote interoperability among GIS data and application providers, increasing efficiencies and reducing long-term costs in data resource and software application development. (22p., 178K., PDF) | report details
• A Foundation for Coordinated GIS, Minnesota's Spatial Data Infrastructure: Adopted by the Minnesota Governor's Council on Geographic Information, this is a strategic plan to help Minnesota organizations more effectively achieve their business goals by using GIS, October 20, 2004. (52p., 863K., PDF) | report details
• Guidebook to Priority GIS Data, July 1999: A report by the Governor's Council on Geographic Information that describes the status and availability of 11 key digital data themes.
   

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