The topography layer was digitized from 238 USGS 24K quad mylar separates, which are available in Central Files. The work was done in the late 80s and early 90s, under two different contracts covering different sections of the district. The first contract was for linework only; polygons were not created or attributed. A subsequent contract specified that polygons were to be created and attributed in addition to the arc attribution.
The topography database currently does not include a sea level shoreline. As a result, land mass between sea level and five feet is not represented. No inland shorelines are represented. No water bodies are delineated. some quads have ten foot instead of five foot contours. USGS Quad boundary ARCS are not coincident with contiguous Quad boundary arcs.