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California Maps

This research guide lists maps and atlases found in print in the HSU Library and on the Internet that graphically depict California.

Entries include 1) individual maps, 2) sites with multiple maps on the same theme and 3) map servers that dynamically produce custom maps based on parameters you enter.

Maps by Theme
Gazetteers (Place Names)
Multi-Thematic Sources
General
Agriculture
Coast & Ocean
Culture & Community
Demography
Energy & Mineral Resources
Environmental Pollution
Forests & Rangelands
Geology
Historical
Land Use & Ownership

Map of California
Natural Communities & Habitats
Natural Hazards
Outline
Political
Public Health
Recreation
Soils
Street and Road
Topography
Vegetation
Water Resources & Quality
Weather & Climate
Wildlife - General
Wildlife - Amphibians & Reptiles
Wildlife - Fish
Wildlife - Birds
Wildlife - Mammals

Other Geospatial Resources
Northwestern California Maps
Digital Spatial Data: California
California Aerial Photography & Imagery

Gazetteers (Place Names)

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Multi -Thematic

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These sources contain collections of individual or user generated maps on multiple themes.

General

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Agriculture

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Coast and Ocean

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Culture and Community

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Demography

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Energy and Mineral Resources

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Environmental Pollution

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Forests and Rangelands

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Geology

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Historical

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Land Use and Ownership

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Natural Communities and Habitats

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Natural Hazards

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Outline

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Political

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Public Health

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Recreation

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Soils

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Street & Road

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Topography

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    Topographical Map

  • Current

    See Topographic Maps-United States--Current for other sites that include current topographic maps of California.

    • USGS Topographic Maps--The HSU Atlas and Map Collection contains the most recent edition of 1:24,000 scale (7 1/2 minute) topographic quadrangles and all older 1:62,500 scale (15 minute) topographic quadrangles for California. Also integrated alphabetically into the collection are 1:50,000 scale maps produced by the National Imagery and Mapping Agency. The California Topographic Map Index is displayed on the Map Display Panel in the Map Collection. For online indexes see the general guide to Topographic Maps.
    • Alexandria Digital Library (University of California, Santa Barbara) Includes a collection of USGS digital raster graphics for California scanned from USGS 1:24,000 topographic quads. Using "More Options" to select "USGS DRG 24k Calif".
    • California Digital Raster Graphics (DRGs) (Cal-Atlas Geospatial Clearinghouse) Includes digital raster graphics in geotiff format of USGS topographic quadranges for the 1x2 degree series (1:250K), the 30x60 minute series (1:100K), and the 7.5 minute series (1:24K). Use Map Surfer to find DRGs using an interactive mapping tool or Free California GeoTIFF Maps to find maps alphabetically by quadrangle name.
    • California Watershed Browser (California Watershed Council) Users can navigate through a map of California's watersheds based on the CalWater geographic dataset. Once an area of interest is identified one can retrieve digital orthophoto quads; USGS digital raster graphics for the area; watershed projects from the Natural Resources Project database; and a list of rare species and natural communities inventoried by Fish and Game’s Natural Diversity Data Base.
    • California Map and GIS Data (Libre Map Project) Download free digital raster graphics (DRGs) of 1:24,000 scale quadrangles in both TIFF and TFW formats. Display each state by quadrangle name or search by placename.
    • Spatial Locator (California Department of Fish and Game) View seamless collection of USGS 7.5' (1:24,000) topographic quadranges for California. Search by placename using the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS); township, range and section; geographic coordinate or UTM coordinates. Pan and zoom, use a measuring tool for distance and area, add labels, and print a custom map.
    • Topo (Grayscale), California (California Department of Fish and Game and ESRI) Seamless display of topographic maps for California including 24K, 100K, and 250K Digital Raster Graphic (DRG) scanned USGS topographic maps using the ArcGIS.com map viewer or ArcGIS Explorer. Topographic maps are displayed in grayscale colors for use as a more subdued background.
    • Topo (Hillshade), California (California Department of Fish and Game and ESRI) Seamless display of topographic maps for California including 24K, 100K, and 250K Digital Raster Graphic (DRG) scanned USGS topographic maps using the ArcGIS.com map viewer or ArcGIS Explorer. Topographic maps are displayed with  hillshade/relief for enhanced topographic display.
    • Topo (Regular), California (California Department of Fish and Game and ESRI) Seamless display of topographic maps for California including 24K, 100K, and 250K Digital Raster Graphic (DRG) scanned USGS topographic maps using the ArcGIS.com map viewer or ArcGIS Explorer.
  • Historical

    See Topograhic Maps-United States--Historical for other sites that include historical topographic maps of California.

    • California Historic Topographic Map Collection (California State University, Chico) Contain images of over 900 historic US Geological Survey topographic quadrangles at scales ranging from 1:250,000 to 1:31,680 and ranging in date from the late 1800's to the mid-1940's. All placenames on the maps are indexed and searchable. One can also search by lat/long, township/range, county and historical or current quadrangle names. Presently there is no image map to select an area of interest. The Map Index to Topographic Quadrangles of the United States, 1882-1940 (ref GA 405 M64 1985) can be used to identify some of these maps geographically.
    • California 30- & 60-minute Historic USGS Topographic Maps (UC Berkeley, Earth Sciences & Map Library) Contains images of 1:96,000, 1:125,000 and 1:250,000 USGS topographic maps of California published between the 1880's and the 1940's.
    • California Historic Topographic Maps (Google Earth Library) Requires the use of Google Earth. Historic topographic maps are overlaid on top of Google Earth imagery.
    • Coastal Topographic Sheets (T-sheets): Northern California, Southern California (US Coast Survey) Highly detailed topographic maps of the California shoreline that were created by the US Coast Survey. Maps date from 1851 to 1911 for California. The "T-Sheets" contain a lot of historical information such as locations of buildings and detailed descriptions of shorelines.
    • Historic USGS Maps of California (Broer Map Library) Contains a selection of historical topographical maps of California.
    • Historic Topographic Maps of Nevada and Its Borders (University of Nevada Mary B. Ansari Map Library) Collection of 60-, 30- and 15 minute historic topographic quads dating from 1863 to 1968. Includes 80 quads of California.
    • Historical Quadrangle of California (University of Alabama) Maps scanned in .sid format.
    • Los Angeles County Historical Topographic Maps (California Geographic Survey) Contains gif images of 39 1:24,000 scale topographic maps produced between 1924 and 1939 which document the cultural landscape of the period.
    • Los Angeles County, 6-Minute Topographic Series (Alexandria Digital Library) Images are in MrSid format. Indexes to the series are available.
    • Monterey Bay Area Historic USGS Topographic Maps (UC Berkeley, Earth Sciences & Map Library) Contains images of historical 7 1/2' and 15' topographic USGS topographic quadrangles of the Monterey Bay area.
    • NavigateLA (City of Los Angeles Department of Public Works, Bureau of Engineering) Web based interactive mapper that provides over 400 layers of geographic information, linked databases, and reports. Includes a layer of topographic maps at a scale of 1:12,000 produced during the 1960's and available as pdf files.
    • SDAG Historical Topographic Maps, San Diego County (San Diego Association of Geologists) Includes 24 historical 7.5 minute, 15 minute and 30 minute topographic maps of San Diego County.
    • San Francisco Bay Area Historical Topographic Maps (US Geological Survey) Includes historical 15 minute, 30 minute and 60 minute series maps starting in the late 1800's.
    • Topographic Quadrangle Maps: California, Oregon, Nevada and Arizona (US Geological Survey) (microfilm MF 2370) Complete historical collection of California, Oregon, Nevada, and Arizona topographic quadrangles dating from 1884 to 1972 compiled by the USGS and other federal agencies. The Map Index to Topographic Quadrangles of the United States, 1882-1940 (ref GA 405 M64 1985) provides indexing for this microfilm set. In addition Obsolete USGS topographical maps of California (Los Angeles Public Library) contains an alphabetical list of historical California topos along with dates of publication.

Vegetation

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    Vegetation Types Bay / Delta Bioregion

    For background information see "History of Vegetation Classification and Mapping in California" (Keeler-Wolf) IN Terrestrial Vegetation of California (Barbour, Keeler-Wolf and Schoenherr) 2007, pp. 1 - 42 ( print copy available in Ref QK 149 T44 2007)

  • Guides and Indexes
    • California Vegetation Map Catalog (Information Center for the Environment) Includes records for vegetation map data sets that cover the entire state or specific parts of the state, with an emphasis on county-level or larger data sets. Search by keyword, county, ecoregion or hydrologic unit.
    • Checklist of Online Vegetation and Plant Distribution Maps (UC Berkeley Earth Sciences and Map Library) Links to online vegetation maps.
    • International Bibliography of Vegetation Maps, Vol 1. Vegetation Maps of North America (Kuchler) 1965 (Ref Qk 101 D83 vol. 1) The California section lists vegetation maps which have appeared in periodicals, books and government documents through 1965.
  • Maps and Atlases
    • CalFlora (CalFlora) Provides information on 8,375 currently recognized ferns, conifers and flowering plants in California, including over 800,000 records of plant observations and 20,000 photographs for half of the included species. Each entry includes common and scientific nomenclature, plant communities, habitats, elevation, notes on geographic distribution and lifeform, a map of geographic distribution by county based upon entries in the California Occurrence Library, and photographs if available. Search by common or scientific name, county, lifeform, elevation, plant community, and other parameters.
    • California Rivers Assessment (CARA) (Information Center for the Environment and California Resources Agency) For each of the 120 river basins in California five maps are available: hydrologic, vegetation, shaded relief, land ownership, and a 1:24,000 quad grid. Other nongraphic watershed statistics and information are also available. IceMaps2 provides interactive mapping capability.
    • California Vegetation/Wildlife Habitat Regions (Easter) Classified into 21 classes.
    • CalVeg (Classification and Assessment with Landsat of Visible Ecological Groupings) (US Forest Service) Mapping and classification system of California vegetation based on computer-assisted processing of satellite imagery that meets regional and national vegetation mapping standards.
      • CALVEG: A Classification of California Vegetation 1981 (QK 911 C34 1981) Contains descriptions of the original 129 vegetation alliances.
      • CALVEG: Mosaic of Existing Vegetation of California 1979 (map G 4361 D2 1979 U5) Map of existing vegetation at a scale of 1:1,000,000; includes accompanying descriptive booklet.
      • CalVeg Geobook 2001 (QK 149 C375 2001)  Self-contained electronic "book" on cd-rom that provides information on CalVeg vegetation alliances. It is keyed to the National Hierarchical Framework of Ecological Units found in California. Each alliance includes a description, maps and photos.
      • Existing Vegetation Data 2001 (QK 149 E85 2001) Set of GIS files for the state on cd-rom..
      • Vegetation Classification includes descriptions of current vegetation alliances and downloadable GIS files for the state
    • Central Valley Historic Mapping Project: Mapping 20th Century Vegetation Change (California State University, Chico Geographical Information Center) Set of historic natural vegetation maps for the Great Central Valley of California. Four period maps (pre-1900, 1945, 1960, and 1995) identify major changes that have occurred in the Great Central Valley due in part to hydrologic alterations associated with the Central Valley Project (1945) and the California State Water Project (1973).
    • CRISIS Maps (California Information Node) Interactive mapping application for weed observations in the regions of California and the Southwest. The weed observations are point observations that have been geo-referenced to latitude-longitude coordinates
    • Distribution of the Native Grasses of California (Beetle) Hilgardia 17(9):309-357, 1957 (print copy available in Periodical S 1 H5) Contains distribution maps of 184 grass species found in California. Includes an introductory section on the biogeography of grasses typically found in different floral associations in California.
    • Jepson Online Interchange for California Floristics (UC Berkeley Jepson Herbarium) Comprises all online information regarding the vascular flora of California produced as part of the Jepson Flora Project. It serves as an ongoing update to the Jepson Manual. Search by scientific or common name using the Index to California Plant Names; generate a species list by bioregion, or search specimen data by various geographic parameters using the SMASCH database from the Consortium of California Herbaria. Species distribution is plotted on a bioregional map.
    • Land Cover Change (California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection Fire and Resource Assessment Program) Series of county maps that map and assess changes in California's vegetation during a five year period. The five regional areas of the state are updated on a five year cycle. Part of the California Land Cover Mapping & Monitoring Program (LCMMP) that is a collaborative effort of the US Forest Service and CDF.
    • Natural Vegetation of California (Kuchler) 1977 (map G 4361 D2 1977 K9) 1:1,000,000 scale map, with accompanying booklet, of the potential natural vegetation of California; depicts 54 plant communities. Prepared in conjunction with Terrestrial Vegetation of California (ref QK 149 T44 2007).
    • Soil-Vegetation Maps (California Cooperative Soil Vegetation Survey) (map G 4361 J3 s62 U5) Ongoing map series at a scale of 1:31,680 or 1:24,000 that shows soil and vegetation characteristics in units as small as 10 acres. Geographic coverage is mostly northern California. See the index on Map Display Panel in the Atlas and Map Collection in the Library.
    • Timber-Stand--Vegetation Cover Maps (California Cooperative Soil Vegetation Survey) (map G 4361 K2 s31 U5) Series of 467 maps produced between 1948 and 1962 at a scale of 1:31,680 which show timber characteristics in northern California.
    • Vegetation Maps (University of California, Davis. California Rangelands Research and Information Center) Includes four maps: California Rangelands, Intermountain Rangelands, Mediterranean Rangelands, and Desert Rangelands.
    • Vegetation Classification and Mapping Program (VegCAMP) (California Department of Fish and Game) Program develops and maintains a standardized vegetation classification system for California based on the National Vegetation Classification System and works with partner agencies and institutions to produce detailed vegetation maps. The Manual of California Vegetation serves as the basis of the classification. The site links to reports produced in the ongoing program, vegetation maps available through BIOS and available GIS data. A map is available of California Vegetation Mapping Projects Based on the National Vegetation Classification System. VegCAMP reports are also available in the CDFG Documents Library.
    • Vegetation-Type Maps (US Forest Service) (map G 4361 D2 s62 U5) Series of 266 maps at a scale of 1:62,500 produced between 1928 and 1940 showing the vegetation of central and southern California. Twenty-three plant associations are identified in units of at least 20 acres in size. An accompanying booklet explains map symbols. The Wieslander Vegetation Type Mapping Project is an ongoing effort to digitize the products of the vegetation-type survey conducted by A.E. Wieslander during the 1920's and 1930's, most of which was never published. The dataset consisting of photos, species inventories, plot maps, and vegetation maps covering most of California at scales of 1:125,000 (30"), 1:62,500 (15"), 1:31,680 (7.5") or 1:24,000 (6"). It provides a snapshot of the state's vegetation in the early 20th century, making the collection an invaluable resource for examining changes in land cover and use, or habitat restoration. The site that is under development will provide georeferenced data and maps using a map browser interface and a database query by quad name, county, or species plot data.

Water Resources and Quality

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    California Rivers Map - California Lake Map:

    See Water Feature Place Names for names and location of current and historical water features in California.

  • Guides and Indexes
    • Guide to USGS Geologic and Hydrologic Maps (Andriot) 1992 (Abstract Docs QE 77 G85) Includes subject, area and geographic coordinate indexes.
    • List of U.S. Geological Survey Geologic and Water-Supply Reports and Maps for California (US Geological Survey) 1987 (print copy available in Abstract Docs I 19.41/7: C12) Lists reports published by the US Geological Survey relating to the geology, mineral resources and water resources of California from 1880 to 1987. Reports are listed by series with subject and county indexes.
    • Publications Warehouse (US Geological Survey) Indexes over 1500 geologic and hydrologic maps covering California. Includes links to online fulltext if available.
  • Maps and Atlases
    • California (Nationalatlas.gov) Shows major California rivers and lakes.
    • California Aqueducts (Maps.com)
    • California Groundwater Aquifers (Google Earth Library) Available as a Google Earth KML layer. Source data is from the California Department of Water Resources.
    • California Ground Water (Water Education Foundation) 1999 (map G 4361 C34 1999 W38)
    • California Rivers Assessment (CARA) (International Center for the Environment and California Resources Agency) For each of the 120 river basins in California five maps are available: hydrologic, vegetation, shaded relief, land ownership, and a 1:24,000 quad grid. Other nongraphic watershed statistics and information are also available. IceMaps2 provides interactive mapping capability.
    • California Rivers Map - California Lake Map (Geology.com)
    • California State Water Project Atlas (California Department of Water Resources) 1999 (atlas TC 424 C2 C3 1999) Describes major features of the State Water Project using text, maps and illustrations.
    • California Water (California State University, Chico. Geographical Information Center)
    • California Waterfalls - Nevada Waterfalls (Geology.com) Uses a Google Maps interface to plot major waterfalls in California and Nevada. Also includes a table giving geographic coordinates and USGS topographic quadrangle.
    • California Water Atlas (Kahrl) 1979 (print copies available in atlas folio G 1526 C3 C3 1979 and Cal Docs P 580 W 38 folio) Provides a comprehensive introduction through text, maps and graphics to water in California from the advent of European settlement to the mid 1970's. The atlas covers water as a natural resource and its utilization and development in California. Prepared by the Governor's Office of Planning and Research and the California Department of Water Resources.
    • California Water Map (Water Education Foundation) 1986 (map G 4361 N44 1986 W4)
    • California Watershed Browser (California Watershed Council) Users drill down through a map of California's watersheds using the CalWater geographic dataset. Once an area of interest is identified, the user can retrieve digital orthophoto quads; scanned USGS map sheets for the area; watershed projects from the Natural Resources Project database; and a list of rare species and natural communities inventoried by Fish and Game’s Natural Diversity Data Base.
    • Callifornia Watersheds (California Interagency Watershed Mapping Committee) Generated from the CalWater gis dataset.
    • California's Major Water Projects (California Department of Water Resources) 2005. Map within the California Water Plan Update that maps state, federal and private water projects.
    • CALWATER: a Standardized Set of Watersheds (California Dept. of Forestry and Fire Protection, Fire and Resource Assessment Program) Generated from the CalWater 2.2 dataset.
    • EnviroMapper for Water (US Environmental Protection Agency) Interactive mapper includes data layers for watersheds, water quality and water pollution.
    • eWRIMS (Electronic Water Rights Information Management System) Web Mapping Application  (California State Water Resources Control Board) Database and interactive mapping application that queries and maps information on water right permits and licenses that have been issued by the State Water Resources Control Board and its predecessors.
    • Facilities in state: California (US Bureau of Reclamation) Statewide map of dams operated by the US Bureau of Reclamation with links to projects, powerplants and dams.
    • Ground Water Atlas of the United States: California, Nevada (US Geological Survey) 1995 (print copy available in Docs I 19.89:730B) Describes the location, extent, geologic and hydrologic characteristics of important aquifers in California.
    • Hydrologic Unit Map--1978, State of California (U.S. Geological Survey) 1978 (print copy available in Docs I 19.89/1 C12) 1:500,000 scale map of USGS hydologic units in California..
    • Pacific Coastal Watersheds (US National Ocean Service. Special Projects Office) Maps watersheds included in the Coastal Assessment and Data Synthesis System (CA&DS).
    • River Stage Maps from National Weather Service/California Nevada River Forecast Center (California Department of Water Resources - California Data Exchange Center) Contains regional maps showing river stages and discharge levels at selected gaging sites during three time intervals: current hour, 1 hour ago, and 2 hours ago.
    • Water Resources of California: Streams, Lakes and Reserviors (US Geological Survey) Simliar maps show shaded relief and average annual precipitation 1961-1990.
    • WaterWatch--Current Water Resources Conditions: California (US Geological Survey) Series of maps that graphically show streamflow conditions in California. Maps are updated daily or more frequently. Individual maps show real-time streamflow compared to historical streamflow, flood and high flow conditions, daily streamflow compared to historical streamflow, 7-day average streamflow compared to historical streamflow, below normal 7-day average streamflow compared to historical streamflow, and drought watch. Mouse-over any of the 200+ recording sites to get detailed site information.

Weather and Climate

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    California Precipitation Map

  • Average Annual Precipitation in California (US Geological Survey) Similar maps show shaded relief and water and shaded relief.
  • Average Annual Precipitation (Inches), California, 1961-1990 (Oregon Climate Service) 1995
  • Average Temperature for January/July (Maps.com)
  • California Annual Precipitation (US Natural Resources Conservation Service) 1999 (map G4361.C883 1998 .U5 ) Scale 1:1,850,000
  • California Average Annual Precipitation (Maps.com)
  • California Building Climate Zones Map (California Energy Commission) Shows 16 climate zones that are based on energy use, temperature, weather and other factors.
  • California Reference Evapo Transpiration (ETO) Zones (California Irrigation Management Information System) Shows 16 reference ETO zones.
  • California Regional Weather Server (San Francisco State University. Department of Geosciences) Weather maps and satellite images emphasizing California, the western U.S., and North America.
  • California Wind Atlas (California Energy Commission and California Department of Water Resources) 1985 (Cal Docs E 2015 W55) Available wind data is summarized using charts, maps, and graphs.
  • California Wind Resource Maps (California Energy Commission)
  • Climate Change: Maps of Heat Vulnerability in California (California Department of Public Health) 2007. Series of maps showing California populations that are vulnerable to heat.
  • Late Pleistocene Map of California (US Geological Survey) Reconstruction of landscape features about 18,000 years ago at the peak of the last Ice Age, including mountains covered by glaciers, intermontain basin lakes and exposed shoreline.
  • Per Capita Urban Water Use: 1960-2005 (Public Policy Institute of California) Interactive map presents estimates of urban water use (in gallons per person per day) for California's major hydrologic regions. Each region includes a summary of population and per capita water use for selected years since 1960.
  • Precipitation (California Dept. of Forestry and Fire Protection, Fire and Resource Assessment Program) Isohyetal map of California at a scale of 1:1,000,000 showing mean annual precipitation during the period 1900-1960. Created from the map Mean Annual Precipitation in the California Region (Rantz) 1969/reprinted 1972 (Docs I 19.2 P92 1972).
  • Precipitation Frequency Atlas of the Western United States. Vol. 11. California (US National Weather Service) 1973 (Docs C 55.22 folio) Contains series of precipitation-frequency maps at a scale of 1:2 million for 6 and 24-hour durations for return periods from 2 to 100 years. Northern California and Southern California sectional maps are also available at Western U.S. Preciptation Frequency Maps (Western Regional Climate Center)
  • Precipitation Data (U.S. National Weather Service. California-Nevada River Forecast Center) Real-time maps of precipitation during the most recent 1-hour, 6-hour, and 24-hour periods. A complementary Rainfall Maps site is maintained by the California Department of Water Resources.
  • Thousand-Year Rainstorms in California 1850-1998 (DuBay) Plots the location of 46 "thousand-year" California rainstorms based upon James Goodridge's Historic Rainstorms in California.
  • USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map: South-West US (USDA Agricultural Research Service) 1990 (print copy available in Docs A 1:38:1475) (USDA Miscellaneous Publication # 1475) Shows the lowest temperatures that can be expected each year. Each of the 11 zones represent 10 degree F (5.6 degree C) differences in average annual minimum temperature.

Wildlife - General

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Wildlife Habitats-GAP
  • Areas of Special Biological Importance (California Department of Fish and Game) 1979 (map G 4361 D1 s250 C2) Older series of 56 1:250,000 scale county maps that show key wildlife areas, limited habitats and rare or endangered species habitat. The areas delineated concern terrestrial mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians.
  • Atlas of the Biodiversity of California (California Department of Fish and Game) 2003 (ref QH 76.5 C2) Atlas depicts California's great diversity of terrestrial and aquatic animals, plants, and habitats. It explains the state's unique geography, shows how biodiversity is measured, contains a series of species richness maps and provides examples of the complexity and uniqueness of California's wildlife habitats.
  • Biogeographic Information and Observation System (BIOS) (California Department of Fish and Game) Interactive mapping system designed to view, manage, and analyse biogeographic data collected by the Department of Fish and Game and its partner organizations.
  • California, An Environmental Atlas & Guide (Kreissman) 1991 (ref F 859 K74 1991) Collection of state-wide maps that show boundaries, management areas, and facilities for federal and state agencies, universities, private organizations, and major physiographic and ecological features. Also has a directory of federal, state, and major private environmental agencies.
  • California Department of Fish and Game Ecological Reserves (California Department of Fish and Game) 2004
  • California Department of Fish and Game Land Viewer (California Department of Fish and Game) Interactive mapper allows one to zoom to a specific location in California and identify CDF facilities and properties.
  • California Department of Fish and Game Wildlife Areas (California Department of Fish & Game) 2005
  • California Natural Diversity Database (CNDDB) Quick Viewer (California Department of Fish and Game) Interactive mapper that lists all CNDDB species or natural communities that have been documented by the CNDDB to occur within a USGS 1:24,000 topographic quad. This list may include both recent and historical records. For statewide maps of occurrences by California topographic quadrangle see CNDD Animal Element Occurences and CNDD Plant Element Occurences.
  • California Vegetation/Wildlife Habitat Regions (Easter) Classified into 21 classes.
  • California Watershed Browser (California Watershed Council) Users can navigate through a map of California's watersheds based on the CalWater geographic dataset. Once an area of interest is identified, one can retrieve digital orthophoto quads; scanned USGS map sheets for the area; watershed projects from the Natural Resources Project database; and a list of rare species and natural communities inventoried by Fish and Game’s Natural Diversity Data Base.
  • GAP Analysis of Mainland California: An Interactive Atlas of Terrestrial Biodiversity and Land Management (California GAP Analysis Project) 1995 (Atlas QH 76.5 C2 C34 1995) Provides an assessment of the conservation status of native vertebrate species and natural land cover types in California. Uses medium-scale distribution maps to show 300 dominant plant species, 200 plant communities, predicted distribution of 455 terrestrial wildlife species, 58 wildlife habitat types, and land ownership and management status. Will also display a list of rare or endangered species in a selected 1:24,000 USGS quadrangle. The interactive atlas allows one to make queries, displays, and analyses. Data can be downloaded in Arc/Info export format for use in a local GIS system. Data is available in statewide datasets or in subsets by ecological region. For additional information or to download GIS coverages directly from the Internet see the California GAP Analysis Home Page.
  • Initial Assessment of the Health and Condition of California's Lands and Natural Resources (California Resources Agency) 2002. Report includes an extensive collection of supporting maps on land cover, land use, habitats, public lands, agricultural lands and forest and woodlands.
  • Wildlife Habitats - California Wildlife Habitat Relationships System (California Department of Fish and Game) Includes a distribution map for each of the 59 wildlife habitat types used in the California Wildlife Habitat Relationships System.
  • Wildlife Habitats: Multi-Source Land Cover Data (California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection) 2003. Shows California Wildlife Habitat Relationships System habitats on a statewide map and on a series of county maps. Compiled for the 2002 Forest and Range Assessment Program.
  • Wildlife Habitats: Gap Analysis Program (California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection) 2001. Statewide map of California at a scale of 1:1 million that classifies wildlife habitats using the California Wildlife Habitat Relationships System (CWHS) habitat classification system.

Wildlife - Amphibians and Reptiles

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California Red Legged Frog Map
  • Amphibian Maps (Washington NatureMapping Program) Includes distribution maps by species for California frogs, toads and salamanders.
  • Life History Accounts and Range Maps: Amphibians and Reptiles (California Department of Fish & Game) Contains species accounts, distribution maps and literature references for 46 amphibians and 75 reptiles found in California. Species accounts include notes on distribution, abundance and seasonality; habitat requirements for feeding, cover, reproduction, water and pattern; and life history. Accounts are intermediate in detail between treatment found in typical field guide and a more extensive literature review. Distribution maps show winter, summer and yearlong range. Prepared as part of the California Departments of Fish and Game's California Wildlife Habitat Relationships Program. The print version was published as California's Wildlife Vol. 1 Amphibians and Reptiles (Zeiner, Laudenslayer, Mayer and White) 1988 (ref QL 164 C26) The online version contains updated species accounts and distribution maps.
  • Reptile Maps (Washington NatureMapping Program) Includes distribution maps by species for California snakes, turtles and lizards.

Wildlife - Fish

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Klamath small scale sucker distribution map
  • Atlas of California Coastal Marine Resources (California Department of Fish and Game) 1980 (atlas G 1526 L1 C35 1980; also Cal Doc F 650 C52) Set of 134 mostly 1:24,000 scale maps of California's nearshore and intertidal environment which indicate presence of biological resources (shellfish, marine mammals and birds, pelagic and bottomfish, kelp beds, spawning areas), human resources (piers, artificial fishing reefs, sewer outfalls and power plant sites), and land use (refuges, areas of special biological significance, fishing and recreational areas).
  • Biodiversity Maps of Fishes in California (Information Center for the Environment) Series of maps that show species richness.
  • CalFish Map Viewer (California Department of Fish and Game) Interactive mapper that includes data layers for fish species, habitat, management and conservation and base maps.
  • Distribution Maps of Fishes in California (Information Center for the Environment) Series of 110 maps that show probable and potential distribution of native and non-native fish species in California.
  • Inland Trout of California: Historic Ranges, Designated Wild Trout Waters, and Trout Planting Locations (California Department of Fish and Game)

Wildlife - Birds

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Greater San Joaquin Important Bird Areas
  • Bird Maps (Washington NatureMapping Program) Includes distribution maps by species for California birds.
  • Catalog of California Seabird Colonies (Sowls) 1980 (print copy available in Docs I 49.2:SE1/4) (FWS/OBS-80/37) Summary of the location, size and species composition of seabird colonies along the coast of California. Includes species accounts for 17 California seabirds followed by a series of 1:24,000 scale maps of seabird colonies documenting 260 nesting areas. For each area gives species present and number of breeding birds.
  • California's Important Bird Areas (Audubon California) Includes information on 145 important bird areas in California. These sites provide essential habitat for one or more bird species for breeding, wintering, and/or migration. Each site description includes a site summary, ornithological significance, conservation issues and site map. Also includes state and regional maps and downloadable gis data.
  • Life History Accounts and Range Maps: Birds (California Department of Fish & Game) Contains species accounts, distribution maps and literature references for 344 birds found in California. Species accounts include notes on distribution, abundance and seasonality; habitat requirements for feeding, cover, reproduction, water and pattern; and life history. Accounts are intermediate in detail between treatment found in typical field guide and a more extensive literature review. Distribution maps show winter, summer and yearlong range. Distribution maps originally were published in Distribution of California Birds (Grenfell and Laudenslayer) 1983 (Docs A 13.2: C12/7). Prepared as part of the California Departments of Fish and Game's California Wildlife Habitat Relationships Program. The print version was published as California's Wildlife Vol. 2 Birds (Zeiner, Laudenslayer, Mayer and White) 1990 (ref QL 164 C26) The online version contains updated species accounts and distribution maps.

Wildlife - Mammals

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Chisel-toothed Kangaroo Rat
  • Life History Accounts and Range Maps: Mammals (California Department of Fish & Game) Contains species accounts, distribution maps and literature references for 181 mammals found in California. Species accounts include notes on distribution, abundance and seasonality; habitat requirements for feeding, cover, reproduction, water and pattern; and life history. Accounts are intermediate in detail between treatment found in typical field guide and a more extensive literature review. Distribution maps show winter, summer and yearlong range. Prepared as part of the California Departments of Fish and Game's California Wildlife Habitat Relationships Program. The print version was published as California's Wildlife Vol. 3 Mammals (Zeiner, Laudenslayer, Mayer and White) 1990 (ref QL 164 C26) The online version contains updated species accounts and distribution maps.
  • Mammal Maps (Washington NatureMapping Program) Includes distribution maps by species for 137 California mammals.