NOAA Inland Waterway Charts

Introduction

NOAA inland waterway charts provide important hydrographic documentation for planning navigation in many U.S. maritime-waterway environments. Through its Office of Coast Survey, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration now primarily produces and maintains NOAA Electronic Navigational Charts covering U.S. coastal waters, the Great Lakes and many estuarine and port areas.

The expression “NOAA inland waterway chart” should nevertheless be understood precisely. NOAA is not the hydrographic authority responsible for every inland waterway in the United States. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers produces Inland ENCs for many inland rivers and waterways. NOAA charting is particularly important where rivers meet coastal waters, estuaries, the Great Lakes or major maritime ports.

This distinction is important when considering areas such as the lower Mississippi and its delta, the Columbia River, Chesapeake Bay, Delaware Bay, approaches to New York, the Great Lakes and major U.S. estuaries.

NOAA's role in U.S. nautical charting

NOAA has long been a major authority in U.S. nautical charting. Its Office of Coast Survey provides hydrographic information required for commercial, professional and recreational navigation.

NOAA nautical charts can represent:

• depths and soundings;

• navigable channels;

• shoals;

• wrecks and hazards;

• buoys and navigation marks;

• lights;

• aids to navigation;

• regulated areas;

• port facilities;

• quays and terminals;

• structures;

• bridges;

• anchorages;

• port approaches;

• characteristics of navigable waters.

This information is particularly important in areas where a river, estuary or large lake supports significant commercial traffic.

NOAA's transition from paper charts to ENCs

One of the defining features of modern NOAA charting is the end of traditional paper nautical charts.

NOAA completed the cancellation of traditional paper and raster nautical charts in December 2024. NOAA ENC is now the primary official nautical chart product.

This transition also affected former NOAA raster charts, RNCs, traditional PDF products and BookletCharts. Historical versions may remain available for documentary purposes, but cancelled charts must not be used for navigation.

The transition to ENC technology is intended to:

• provide hydrographic information that can be updated more efficiently;

• improve chart detail;

• standardize chart scales;

• facilitate integration with electronic navigation systems;

• improve consistency between adjacent chart cells;

• make better use of new hydrographic survey data.

This evolution is essential for understanding the current meaning of a “NOAA inland waterway chart.”

NOAA ENCs

NOAA ENCs are vector electronic navigational charts that comply with international electronic charting standards.

Unlike a static image of a paper chart, an ENC is made up of structured chart objects. Soundings, navigation marks, wrecks, channels, depth information, regulated areas and other features can be organized into separate information layers.

This structure allows compatible navigation systems to display the data dynamically.

Key advantages of ENCs include:

• electronic updating;

• display at different scales;

• layered information;

• GPS position integration;

• ECDIS use;

• the ability to display or hide selected information;

• alert functions depending on the navigation system and configuration.

For professional navigation, this transition is particularly significant because ENC has become the principal format for official digital hydrographic charting.

Major rivers and their estuaries

The United States has an enormous river network. However, the charting of inland river sections must be distinguished from charting of areas where rivers meet NOAA-covered coastal waters.

The Mississippi is a major example. Its lower reaches and delta form an environment where inland navigation, commercial navigation and maritime traffic meet.

The Mississippi Delta is characterized by:

• numerous channels;

• passes;

• shoals;

• oil and port installations;

• significant commercial traffic;

• changing hydrographic conditions;

• complex environmental conditions.

NOAA charting is particularly relevant to the coastal and estuarine approaches in such an environment. Further upstream, other hydrographic authorities may provide the applicable inland-waterway charting.

The Columbia River

The Columbia River is another important example of maritime-waterway navigation.

The river reaches the Pacific Ocean between Washington and Oregon. Its entrance is affected by distinctive conditions including bars, currents, waves, changing depths and commercial vessel traffic.

The approaches to Portland and ports further upriver must be distinguished from the maritime entrance area.

For a navigator arriving from the Pacific, NOAA nautical charting supports the transition between:

• ocean navigation;

• coastal approach;

• river entrance;

• access channel;

• inland-waterway navigation.

This type of transition is characteristic of the maritime-waterway environments represented within the NOAA charting portfolio.

The Great Lakes

The Great Lakes form a particularly important part of NOAA chart coverage.

The system includes:

• Lake Superior;

• Lake Michigan;

• Lake Huron;

• Lake Erie;

• Lake Ontario.

These large bodies of freshwater contain numerous ports and can present navigational conditions comparable in some respects to those encountered at sea.

NOAA charts can support navigation around ports such as Chicago, Detroit, Cleveland, Buffalo, Duluth and Milwaukee.

Important navigational features include depths, shoals, channels, lights, buoys, breakwaters, ports and approaches.

U.S. estuaries and major bays

NOAA charting is also fundamental in many large bays and estuarine environments.

Important areas include:

• Chesapeake Bay;

• Delaware Bay;

• San Francisco Bay;

• Puget Sound;

• Long Island Sound;

• Tampa Bay;

• Mobile Bay.

These environments often combine coastal navigation, port navigation and navigation through sheltered channels.

Chesapeake Bay, for example, provides access to several major ports and a large network of tributaries. Delaware Bay provides the maritime approach to Philadelphia and other port facilities. San Francisco Bay combines heavy commercial traffic, channels, currents, bridges and numerous port areas.

U.S. ports

NOAA charts are particularly important for planning approaches to major American ports.

Depending on the region, they may support navigation to:

• New York;

• Boston;

• Baltimore;

• Philadelphia;

• Norfolk;

• Charleston;

• Savannah;

• Miami;

• New Orleans;

• Houston;

• San Francisco;

• Seattle;

• Portland;

• Los Angeles and Long Beach.

The navigational constraints vary considerably between ports. Navigators may need to consider draught, channels, commercial traffic, aids to navigation, structures and local regulations.

Scale and level of detail

As with all nautical charts, scale is fundamental.

Small-scale charts provide a general overview for voyage planning and for locating a coastal or lake area.

Larger-scale charts provide more detail for:

• port approaches;

• restricted channels;

• anchorages;

• port facilities;

• bridges;

• buoys;

• shoals;

• hazards close to the intended route.

NOAA's newer ENC scheme is progressively organized using a standardized grid and scales designed to provide more detailed and consistent coverage of navigational areas.

NOAA Custom Chart

The end of traditional paper charts does not necessarily mean that navigators must abandon paper entirely.

NOAA provides the NOAA Custom Chart system, which enables users to create paper charts derived from ENC data.

These customized charts are generated from NOAA electronic chart data and can be created for a selected geographical area.

It is important to understand, however, that a paper chart derived from an ENC is a static representation of electronic data. It does not provide the dynamic functions of an ENC used within an electronic navigation system.

Professional and recreational navigation

NOAA data serves a broad range of users:

• merchant shipping;

• commercial vessels;

• tugboats;

• workboats;

• commercial fishing;

• Coast Guard and government agencies;

• pilots;

• recreational boaters;

• navigation schools;

• instructors;

• navigators planning U.S. voyages.

For commercial vessels, the use of official ENCs also forms part of the applicable regulatory framework for vessels subject to electronic chart carriage requirements.

Updating NOAA data

One of the major advantages of ENC technology is its ability to receive regular updates.

Updates can concern:

• new buoys;

• changes to lights;

• newly identified hazards;

• depth changes;

• new hydrographic surveys;

• shoreline changes;

• channel alterations.

NOAA states that new ENC update cells are incorporated regularly to keep hydrographic information as current as possible.

This capability represents a major difference from traditional paper and raster charts.

Complementarity with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Admiralty, Shom and NGA

For navigation on a major U.S. river, it is essential to identify the hydrographic authority responsible for the area.

NOAA is primarily responsible for electronic charting of U.S. coastal waters, the Great Lakes and many estuarine areas. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers produces Inland ENCs for many inland rivers and waterways.

For international navigation, NOAA charts can also be complemented by Admiralty, Shom, NGA and other relevant hydrographic services.

This complementary approach is particularly useful for vessels operating between Europe and North America.

Planning navigation with a NOAA chart

A rigorous planning process can include:

• identifying the appropriate hydrographic authority;

• determining whether the area falls within NOAA coverage or another authority's responsibility;

• selecting the ENCs covering the intended route;

• checking scale and level of detail;

• analysing depths;

• identifying navigable channels;

• locating navigation aids;

• examining bridges and infrastructure;

• considering currents and tides where applicable;

• checking port information;

• verifying available updates;

• complementing the chart with the required publications.

This method is especially important when a route progresses from maritime waters to an estuary and then into an inland-waterway environment.

Conclusion

NOAA inland-waterway charting should today be understood within the broader transformation of U.S. nautical cartography. NOAA has discontinued traditional paper and raster chart production and now focuses its official charting activity on NOAA ENCs, while still allowing paper charts to be created from ENC data.

NOAA data is particularly relevant to U.S. coastal waters, the Great Lakes, estuaries, port approaches and maritime-waterway areas associated with major American rivers. The lower Mississippi, Columbia River, Chesapeake Bay, Delaware Bay, San Francisco Bay and the Great Lakes illustrate the connection between maritime and inland navigation.

For the inland sections of many U.S. rivers, however, the applicable charting authority may be the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers or another responsible organization.

FAQ – NOAA Inland Waterway Charts

What is a NOAA inland waterway chart?

It is a NOAA nautical chart relevant to navigation in maritime-waterway, estuarine, Great Lakes or river-mouth environments in the United States.

Does NOAA still produce traditional paper nautical charts?

No. NOAA completed the transition away from traditional paper and raster nautical charts in 2024 and now focuses its official chart production on NOAA ENCs.

What is a NOAA ENC?

A NOAA ENC is a vector electronic navigational chart containing structured hydrographic objects and designed for use in compatible electronic navigation systems.

Does NOAA cover all U.S. rivers?

No. NOAA primarily covers U.S. coastal waters, the Great Lakes and many estuarine areas. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers produces Inland ENCs for many inland waterways.

Do NOAA charts cover the Mississippi River?

NOAA charting is particularly relevant to the coastal and estuarine sections of the lower Mississippi and its delta. Inland sections of the river system are also covered by other responsible authorities.

Do NOAA charts cover the Columbia River?

Yes. NOAA provides hydrographic coverage of maritime and estuarine areas associated with the Columbia River, including its Pacific entrance and approaches.

Are the Great Lakes covered by NOAA?

Yes. NOAA produces ENCs covering U.S. waters of Lake Superior, Lake Michigan, Lake Huron, Lake Erie and Lake Ontario.

Can a paper chart still be obtained from NOAA data?

Yes. The NOAA Custom Chart system allows users to create paper charts derived from current ENC data. These are static representations of the electronic data.

Can an old NOAA paper chart still be used for navigation?

No. Cancelled NOAA charts are historical documents and must not be used as navigation charts.

Are NOAA charts suitable for professional navigation?

Yes. NOAA ENCs are the principal official NOAA chart product and are used in professional as well as recreational navigation.

What is the difference between NOAA and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for inland-waterway charts?

NOAA primarily covers coastal waters, the Great Lakes and many estuarine areas, while the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers produces Inland ENCs for many inland rivers and waterways.

Can NOAA charts be used together with Admiralty, Shom or NGA charts?

Yes. International voyages may require NOAA documentation to be complemented by Admiralty, Shom, NGA and other hydrographic documentation for the waters being navigated.