Geographic Infomation System

Map Request

GIS Links

Online Mapping

A Geographic Information System (GIS) is a digital method to capture, store manipulate, analyze and display all forms of geographically referenced information. The components of a GIS are hardware, software, data and personnel, coordinated to provide a very powerful design, planning and management tool used by governments and the private sector worldwide.

The data stored in the GIS provides the locations of objects and features, but more importantly, catalogs specific information about these items which can be used in an infinite number of ways. These capabilities distinguish it from Computer Automated Drafting (CAD) or database programs by combining those usages effectively by linking spatial data, as shown in mapping, and tabular data as recorded in compiled lists of text and numerical information.

Database analysis and graphic manipulation powers of GIS supercede CAD and database software and have become essential in the modern environment among designers, planners and managers due to the unification of these components.

Managing information focused on a specific geographic location, displaying and analyzing that information in new ways to enable discoveries and derive new solutions is the ultimate power of GIS. Some applications of GIS include:

• Analyze locations: Determine where customers are, relative to the location of services offered by the business.
• The location and nature of competitive entities.
• Locate potential sites based on a list of marketing criteria, and to find the best site for construction based on landform suitability.
• Where to establish a conservation area for a species or groups of species if ecological conflicts arise.
• Locate potential hazards such as earthquakes,landslides, storms, fires, etc.
• Map demographics and sales to target customers, trade areas, and expansion direction.
• Allocate resources through logistical solutions for road and highway maintenance, emergency planning, crime prevention.
• Integrate mapping data with information from an infinite variety of sources.

  A GIS is an analytical tool that manipulates geographic data to create many types of mapping.Through symbology and labeling these maps can demonstrate graphically the tabular data stored in the GIS.

  The GIS Division of the Department of Utilities in cooperation with other departments at the City of Lawrence facilitates GIS tasks related to Water Distribution and Sanitary Sewer Collection systems. The division maintains and supports the waterline and sanitary sewer line data, providing output in the form of map books for distribution and collection personnel.

  This data is provided to the public on a limited basis due to security concerns, but includes current configurations of utilities (As-Built Drawings)available citywide on an individual site basis. These drawings can be obtained by contacting the Department of Utilities GIS division at (785)832-7827, or 7830.

  The entire city of Lawrence Water and Sanitary Sewer infrastructure has been developed and documented, and the data is continually updated to provide private business and citizenry with current and accurate information.