Land resource maps tell us about our planet and our communities. They attempt to describe what is on and under the surface and also the ways in which we demarcate the environment for many purposes, including recreation, education, property, assessment, and posterity.
They include maps on:
Mining, Minerals and Geology
- Mines and Minerals, Idaho Geological Survey
- U.S. Geological Survey
- Digital Atlas of Idaho Project
- National Geologic Map Database, U.S. Geological Survey and the Association of American State Geologists
- FARRIT Bibliography on Mines and Prospecting
Forests
Single sheet forest maps exist for all state and national forests in Idaho. Some libraries in the area have both current and historical forest maps.
Soil types
Soil surveys have been done for all Idaho counties. Each survey includes maps. Soil Surveys are held locally by the Idaho State Historical Society, Boise Public Library and Boise State University’s Albertsons Library.
- Soil Surveys by State, Natural Resources Conservation Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture
- National Geologic Map Database, U.S. Geological Survey and the Association of American State Geologists
- Web Soil Survey, Natural Resources Conservation Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture
Vegetation
- Potential natural vegetation map, Idaho. Map, Scale approximately 1:974769. Reston, Virginia: Soil Conservation Service, USDA, 1986.
- Plants Database, Natural Resources Conservation Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture
- Rangeland Analysis Platform
Environment
- Many maps exist as part of Environmental Impact Statements (EIS) documents and parts of other environmental reports dealing with air and water pollution among other topics.
- Water Resources Conservation Act (RCA) Data Viewer, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
- Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
- Cleanups in My Community
- EJSCREEN: Environmental Justice Screening and Mapping Tool
- NEPAssist, National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
- National Priorities List and Superfund Alternative Approach Sites
Energy
- U.S. Energy Mapping System, U.S. Energy Information Administration
Water and Groundwater
Reports from the U.S. Departments of Reclamation and Geological Survey, and the Idaho Department of Water Resources include many maps. Included among these are maps of floodplains. Each agency also issues flat maps.
- GIS and Data Hub, Idaho Department of Water Resources
- National Hydrography, U.S. Geological Survey
Geothermal Water
For both pleasure and comfort, geothermal maps exist for Idaho. These are found in technical reports and as single maps in some libraries, and in popular books as Hot springs & hot pools of the Northwest and others.
- Governor’s Office of Energy and Mineral Resources
- Idaho Department of Water Resources; prepared by the National Geophysical and Solar-Terrestrial Data Center, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and Division of Geothermal Energy, United States Department of Energy. Geothermal resources of Idaho. Map, Scale 1:500,000. Boise: Idaho Department of Water Resources, 1980.
- Geothermal Resources Map, Idaho Department of Water Resources
Property & Assessment
Comprised of parcel boundaries, streets, water, townships, sections, city limits, parks, and schools. This is frequently found online. See our Property Research guide for more information.
This page updated by Ronnie Joiner on October 26, 2020.