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  • LAGOS-US RESERVOIR: Data module classifying conterminous U.S. lakes 4 hectares and larger as natural lakes or reservoirs
  • Polus, Sam M; Michigan State University
    Hanly, Patrick J; Michigan State University
    Rodriguez, Lauren K; Michigan State University
    Wang, Qi; Michigan State University
    Díaz Vázquez, Jessica; Michigan State University
    Webster, Katherine E; Michigan State University
    Tan, Pang-Ning; Michigan State University
    Zhou, Jiayu; Michigan State University
    Danila, Laura; Michigan State University
    Soranno, Patricia A; Michigan State University
    Cheruvelil, Kendra Spence; Michigan State University
  • 2022-03-17
  • Polus, S.M., P.J. Hanly, L.K. Rodriguez, Q. Wang, J. Díaz Vázquez, K.E. Webster, P. Tan, J. Zhou, L. Danila, P.A. Soranno, and K.S. Cheruvelil. 2022. LAGOS-US RESERVOIR: Data module classifying conterminous U.S. lakes 4 hectares and larger as natural lakes or reservoirs ver 1. Environmental Data Initiative. https://doi.org/DOI_PLACE_HOLDER (Accessed 2024-12-28).
  • The LAGOS-US RESERVOIR data module (hereafter, RESERVOIR) classifies all 137,465 lakes > 4 hectares in the conterminous U.S. into one of the following three categories using a machine-learning predictive model based on visual interpretation of lake outlines and a classification rule based on lake shape. Natural Lakes (NLs) are defined as lakes that are likely to be entirely or mostly naturally-formed and that do not have large, flow-altering structures on or near them; Reservoir Class A’s (RSVR_A) are defined as lakes that are likely to be either human-made or highly human-altered by the presence of a relatively large water control structure that appears to significantly change the flow of water; and Reservoir Class B’s (RSVR_Bs) are lakes that are likely to be entirely human-made based on isolation from rivers and a highly angular shape that is rarely, if ever, seen in natural lakes also often. We trained the machine learning models on 12,162 manually-classified lakes to assign probabilities of a lake being in 1 of 2 of the categories (NL or RSVR), then we further classified the RSVR classification into either A or B based on NHD Fcodes, isolation, and angularity. The data module includes a detailed User Guide, metadata tables, and a data table that includes information such as location, lake geometry, surface water connectivity class, and official name. Using our definition, our classification indicates that over 46 % of lakes > 4 ha in the conterminous U.S. are reservoir lakes. These data can be combined with other LAGOS-US data modules and U.S. national databases using unique lake identifiers to study both reservoir lakes and natural lakes at broad scales.

  • N: 49.0      S: 25.0      E: -67.0      W: -125.0
  • This information is released under the Creative Commons license - Attribution - CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). The consumer of these data ("Data User" herein) is required to cite it appropriately in any publication that results from its use. The Data User should realize that these data may be actively used by others for ongoing research and that coordination may be necessary to prevent duplicate publication. The Data User is urged to contact the authors of these data if any questions about methodology or results occur. Where appropriate, the Data User is encouraged to consider collaboration or co-authorship with the authors. The Data User should realize that misinterpretation of data may occur if used out of context of the original study. While substantial efforts are made to ensure the accuracy of data and associated documentation, complete accuracy of data sets cannot be guaranteed. All data are made available "as is." The Data User should be aware, however, that data are updated periodically and it is the responsibility of the Data User to check for new versions of the data. The data authors and the repository where these data were obtained shall not be liable for damages resulting from any use or misinterpretation of the data. Thank you.
  • DOI PLACE HOLDER
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