There are four imagery sources available in maps. The best source to use depends on the area you're mapping and your goal.
The table below summarizes each source:
| Layer Name | Age | Update Frequency | Resolution | Horizontal Accuracy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leaf Off (DNR WROC) | Dates span 2018-2024 | 3 or 5 year cycle | Most are 3-inch or 6-inch Some 12-inch |
3-inch: 1.2 feet 6-inch: 2.4 feet |
| Leaf On (USDA NAIP 2022) | 2022 | At least every 3 years | .6 meter (~2 feet) | 6 meters (~20 feet) |
| Esri World Imagery | Varies by location | Varies by location | 1.2 meter (~4 feet) to .3 meter (~1 foot) | 5 meters (~16 feet) |
| Color Infrared (DNR) | 2009-2022 | 8 year cycle | 12-inch to 18-inch | Unknown |
See Imagery Source Details for additional information about each source.
Additional information to help you select the most appropriate source for your application. In many cases, it may help to switch between different sources depending on what you're trying to accomplish.
Description
Natural color, leaf-off imagery from WI Regional Orthophoto Consortium (WROC) 2020 and 2025, the Southeast WI Regional Planning Commission (SEWRPC), and Door County 2021 imagery.
Source
Department of Natural Resources (DNR)
Advantages
Disadvantages
External Resources
Wisconsin Regional Orthoimagery Consortium (WROC)
WROC info sheet
DNR Open Data
Leaf off imagery dates
Description
National Agriculture Imagery Program (NAIP) natural color, leaf-on imagery acquired during the growing season. NAIP is administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Farm Production & Conservation Business Center (FPAC-BC) Geospatial Enterprise Operations (GEO) Branch in Salt Lake, Utah.
Note: 2024 imagery has been collected. We will update our layer once it is released to the public.
Source
United State Department of Agriculture (USDA)
Advantages
Disadvantages
External Resources
NAIP Geohub
NAIP Info Sheet
NAIP Info on Data.gov
2022 Image Acquisition Dates
Description
Natural color, one meter or better satellite and aerial imagery from Esri World Imagery.
Source
Esri
Advantages
Disadvantages
External Resources
Esri World Imagery
World Imagery Wayback
Vantor Vivid Mosaic Datasheet
Description
Color-infrared (CIR) aerial photography, also known as "false color", collected during peak fall conditions.
CIR imagery shows near-infrared wavelengths in red. Visible light wavelengths red and green are shown as green and blue.
Source
Department of Natural Resources - Division of Forestry
Advantages
Disadvantages
External Resources
DNR Color Infrared Imagery Basemap
What do the colors mean?
Understanding Color-infrared Photographs