Introducing the Next Generation of WHAF
The WHAF map is undergoing a major upgrade! The new map will make watersheds, health scores and data layers easier to use and faster to load.
The current map will remain accessible while we work on the next generation map, but we invite you to explore our new interactive map as we move forward.
Check out the next generation of WHAF.
WHAF: A five component approach to ecological health
Please take this brief tutorial to learn how to use the Watershed Health Assessment Framework. You can view it anytime under the 'How to Use' menu.
1. Natural resource systems are summarized into five ecological components.
A number of different index scores are calculated for each component giving a multifaceted view of watershed health.
Click on a component to open available indices. Click on an index to view its score on the map.
Place mouse over the index name to view a brief description.
2. Color grade: green for good, red for poor health
Health scores rank the condition of Minnesota's landscapes from 0 (poor health condition, red) to 100 (good health condition, green). This example shows remaining perennial cover.
Health scores are calculated for Minnesota's "major watersheds" (HUC-8), and where possible for DNR catchments (sub-divided HUC-12). Catchments are much smaller units and provide more detailed view of the health
scores. In Minnesota there are 81 "Major Watersheds" and over 10,000 catchments.
3. Explore your location in relation to different health indices
Clicking on an index will show its score without changing the map location:
4. Use the transparency slider to see land features under the score colors
The slider is located under the index name, which is visible when an index is selected.
5. Mark your location of interest on the map
Click once to activate the crosshair button 
then anywhere on the map to place a location mark.
If the mark is inside Minnesota, you can easily view different scales relative to that place, including its river basin, 'major watershed', upstream, and downstream areas.
6 (a) Mask different scales
Click the scale buttons at the top right of the map to quickly highlight their respective extent relative to the marked map location.
For example, you can display a river basin for a marked location.
6 (b) Mask different scales
You can also show the 'true watershed' (upstream area) of the catchment containing the marked location, and all catchments downstream of it (within the state).
7 (a) Scale views
Use the drop-down menus next to the scale buttons to zoom directly to the respective scale.
7 (b) Scale views
The drop-down menus also let you to replace the mask with an outline, fill, or to remove the view.
8. Map navigation
Move the map around by clicking and dragging.
Click on the Minnesota state icon to go to the entire state extent.
Using the and icons, you can return to previous or subsequent map extents similar to the "back" button on an internet browser.
9. Change Basemap
Click the 
button to choose from available basemaps. Options include a plain, grey map; an aerial image; an aerial image with labels; and a National Geographic map.
10. Using bookmarks
Click the 
button to save your current map for reference. Name the map view (you may include an optional note), and click "Keep map" or "Keep extent" to add it to a list of bookmarks. The list will be stored in your browser, and with most modern browsers, will remain available for future use even after you close your browser.
"Keep map" will store the complete map view, whereas "Keep extent" will store the map location only.
11. Share the view
Click the button to get a link which you can copy and email or paste in a browser address bar to reproduce an identical map view. Links may be long, but can be easily copied from the pop-up window at the bottom of the screen:
12. Add features to the map
Click the 
button to bring up a list of commonly used layers that can be added to the map.
Map layers can be reordered by dragging and dropping layers in this box.
13. Add more features to the map
Many more features are available to view. In the map layers box (step 12), click the Get more layers button to bring up more features. Click on the feature and it will be added to the list of available layers. If you are in the DNR network, you will also be able to add many LandView data sets to the map.
To add map layers from the web, click "Get layers from web" and enter the 'rest' url of a published map service.
14. Add hillshade topography to the map
In the map layers box (step 12), check the box in the Hillshade Topography button. Use the slider to control the transparency of the hillshade effect for an effective map image.
