SCOPE
Michigan first
Data layers are scoped to Michigan. The full Great Lakes circumference/perimeter is the geographic exception for lake mapping.
DATA SOURCES & COVERAGE
Useful data starts
with clear context.
Know what is included, where it comes from and what remains to be built. Dataset counts below are generated from the project, not estimated live activity.
The legend, explained.
Actual application colors and symbols.
Counts from the current project snapshot.
Where the information begins.
| Layer | Source & coverage | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| State, counties & municipalities | U.S. Census Bureau, 2025 cartographic boundaries; Michigan land-reference outlines. | Generalized at 1:500,000. These are not parcel surveys or complete legal water-jurisdiction boundaries. |
| Lake outlines | Great Lakes Aquatic Habitat Framework shoreline data used by the project. | Five lake layers, including St. Clair. The Great Lakes perimeter may extend beyond Michigan. Islands are excluded from water polygons. |
| Lighthouses & infrastructure | USCG references and curated Michigan inventories; agency sources vary by facility. | An inventory entry does not guarantee current operation, public access or complete statewide coverage. |
| Movement | Available aircraft reports, AISStream vessel reports, published transit routes and available vehicle feeds. | Coverage, update rates and report age vary. Smoothed movement is display interpolation. |
| News | Available publishers and source links related to the selected place or layer. | Some locations have limited news; readable full text is not available for every article. |
Explore the source organizations: Census cartographic boundaries · GLAHF · AISStream
LOCAL AREAS
Understand the categories
Townships include charter townships. Villages can overlap townships. Unincorporated coverage means Census-designated places, not every locally named community.
UPDATES
Dates matter
Boundary vintages, inventory snapshots and movement report times mean different things. We aim to keep that distinction visible rather than promise one update rate for everything.
Help close a coverage gap.
We are seeking authoritative parcel polygons, identifiers and dependable update access. Statewide parcel, listing and sold-data access has not been secured. See the data-partnership priorities.
Found an error? Send the place, layer and supporting source so we can investigate.
LET'S CONNECT