Web Map Services (WMS)
A Web Map Service (WMS) provides a generic way to access raw geographic data over the web. A map document can be hosted that includes multiple layers and symbologies. With the correct URL these WMS’s can be remotely ingested into ArcCatalog in a similar fashion to a WCS and WFS. These map services can also be ingested within html code to create interesting dynamic maps within web pages.
Accessing a Web Mapping Service through ArcCatalog
A WMS can be accessed like the WFS through ArcCatalog and brought into ArcMap. To do this navigate to “GIS Servers” expand and double click on “Add WMS Server”.
Input the address of the WMS, click “Get Layers” and the layers are then available to be accessed in ArcMap.
In ArcMap, access the service in the same manner as a shape file through the “add data” button.
| Service | WMS URL | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Coastal Ocean Observing Network | http://129.116.104.172/arcgis/services/TxHIS/TCOON_Sites/MapServer/WMSServer | Continuous measurement of water levels and conditions |
| Texas Commission for Environmental Quality | http://129.116.104.172/arcgis/services/TxHIS/TRACS_Sites/MapServer/WMSServer | TRACS water quality data |
| Texas Parks and Wildlife Department | http://129.116.104.172/arcgis/services/TxHIS/TPWD_CoastalWQ_Sites/MapServer/WMSServer | TPWD coastal water quality data |
| Texas Water Development Board | http://129.116.104.172/arcgis/services/TxHIS/TWDB_CoastalWQ_Sites/MapServer/WMSServer | TWDB coastal water quality data |
| Texas A&M Corpus Christi | http://129.116.104.172/arcgis/services/TxHIS/TAMU_CC_WQ_Sites/MapServer/WMSServer | Water quality data for Corpus Christi Bay |
| Texas Instream Flow Program | http://129.116.104.172/arcgis/services/TxHIS/TIFP_Sabine_Sites/MapServer/WMSServer | Aquatic biology and habitat data for the Sabine River |
| Texas Instream Flow Program | http://129.116.104.172/arcgis/services/TxHIS/TIFP_SanAntonio_Sites/MapServer/WMSServer | Aquatic biology and habitat data for the San Antonio River |
| Texas Natural History Museum | http://129.116.104.172/arcgis/services/TxHIS/TxFishAtlas_Percidae_Sites/MapServer/WMSServer | Fish atlas for Texas -- Percidae species only |
| Texas State University - San Marcos | http://129.116.104.172/arcgis/services/TxHIS/TxSt_Blanco_Sites/MapServer/WMSServer | Aquatic biology data for the Blanco River |
| National Weather Service | http://129.116.104.172/arcgis/services/TxHIS/NWS_NEXRAD_Sites/MapServer/WMSServer | Nexrad Precipitation for the Austin area |
| Texas Water Development Board | http://129.116.104.172/arcgis/services/TxHIS/TxEvap_Sites/MapServer/WMSServer | TWDB Texas Pan Evaporation Data |