ArcMap

Thin Hydro Features

Summary

Generalizes input hydrographic stream data into two feature classes: one for hydro polyline features and one for hydro polygon features. The generalized versions are produced using a stream order algorithm. The algorithm removes less significant hydro features based on the number of tributaries.

Illustration

Before and after illustration of the thin hydro features process
Stream network before and after using the Thin Hydro Features tool

Usage

  • Input Hydro Features must be polyline or polygon features.

  • The direction in which polylines in Input Hydro Features are digitized should be the same as flow direction.

  • Polylines in Input Hydro Features should be split at intersections to ensure correct order value assignment.

  • Input Hydro Features must reside within the same feature dataset. All input feature classes must be inside the same feature dataset as topology is used to build a stream network. This tool will display an error if you add a feature class that does not belong to a feature dataset.

  • This tool will add a LONG field called ORD to the Output Hydro Line Feature Class and Output Hydro Polygon Feature Class. The ORD field contains stream order values for each input hydro feature.

  • The Input Area of Interest Features parameter defines map extents.

  • You can apply a selection set or definition query to Input Area of Interest Features but not to Input Hydro Features.

Syntax

ThinHydroFeatures(in_hydro_features, out_hydro_line_feature_class, out_hydro_polygon_feature_class, {in_min_hydro_order}, {in_min_feature_size}, {in_aoi_features}, {in_aoi_field})
ParameterExplanationData Type
in_hydro_features
[in_hydro_features,...]

The input hydro feature class or feature layer that contains the hydrographic features to be thinned.

Table View
out_hydro_line_feature_class

The output hydro line feature class that contains the hydro line features after the thinning process.

Feature Class
out_hydro_polygon_feature_class

The output hydro polygon feature class that contains the hydro polygon features after the thinning process.

Feature Class
in_min_hydro_order
(Optional)

The minimum hydro order or stream order value used to eliminate hydro features. The tool will thin hydro features that have a stream order value less than this number. The tool will write stream order values to an ORD field in Output Hydro Line Feature Class and Output Hydro Polygon Feature Class.

Long
in_min_feature_size
(Optional)

The minimum area used in the thinning algorithm to eliminate small, nonmain hydro polygons. Units default to the input data unit of measurement.

Double
in_aoi_features
(Optional)

The optional area of interest (AOI) feature class that is used to clip input hydro features. The thinning algorithm is executed on each extent of the AOI feature and the results are written to the output hydro line and polygon feature classes.

Feature Layer
in_aoi_field
(Optional)

The field that contains a unique identifier for each feature in Input Area of Interest Features.

Field

Code sample

ThinHydroFeatures example (Python window)

The following Python window script demonstrates how to use the ThinHydroFeatures tool to generalize sample data released with Esri Production Mapping.

import arcpy

# set gp environment
arcpy.env.workspace="c:/data/Austin.gdb"

# in_hydro_features parameter
hydroL="Hydrography/HydroL"
hydroLyr="Hydro_Layer"

# output feature classes
hydroLine = "hydroLine"
hydroPoly = "hydroPoly"

# make a feature layer from the hydroL feature class
arcpy.MakeFeatureLayer_management(hydroL, hydroLyr)

# exec Thin Hydro Features
arcpy.ThinHydroFeatures_production(hydroLyr, hydroLine, hydroPoly, "0", "0", "", "")

Environments

Licensing information

  • ArcGIS Desktop Basic: No
  • ArcGIS Desktop Standard: Requires Production Mapping
  • ArcGIS Desktop Advanced: Requires Production Mapping

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