Epic Feature - HydroBASINS North America (All levels)

Epic issue created with ChatGPT models' help

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Description

Add HydroBASINS North America polygon datasets for Levels 2 through 12 into the repository by converting the provided HydroBASINS GIS datasets into valid GeoJSON format.

HydroBASINS contains hierarchical watershed polygon datasets across multiple levels of granularity. This epic tracks the work required to convert and upload each North America polygon level dataset individually into the repository fixtures folder.

To keep contributions small and beginner-friendly, each HydroBASINS level should be handled in its own separate issue and pull request.

The converted GeoJSON files will allow the existing map setup to consume and render HydroBASINS polygon layers directly from static fixture data.

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Goals

• Track HydroBASINS North America polygon conversion work for Levels 2–12
• Keep each level isolated into its own small beginner-friendly issue
• Convert all targeted GIS datasets into valid GeoJSON format
• Upload GeoJSON files into the repository fixtures folder
• Ensure datasets remain readable and render correctly in the existing map setup

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Scope

This epic covers the following HydroBASINS North America polygon levels:

• Level 2
• Level 3
• Level 4
• Level 5
• Level 6
• Level 7
• Level 8
• Level 9
• Level 10
• Level 11
• Level 12

Each level should have:

• Its own GitHub issue
• Its own GeoJSON conversion task
• Its own lightweight PR

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Implementation Instructions

• Download the HydroBASINS North America datasets from the official HydroSHEDS source

• Each subissue should focus only on a single HydroBASINS level

• Convert GIS datasets into valid .geojson format

• Contributors may use standard GIS conversion workflows/tools including:

  • GDAL/OGR
  • QGIS
  • Mapshaper
  • MyGeoData
  • Geoutil
  • or similar lightweight GIS conversion workflows

• Upload converted files into:

public/fixtures/

Repo path:

https://github.com/OpenSourceFellows/map_dashboard_hackathon/tree/main/public/fixtures

• Verify GeoJSON validity before submitting PRs
• Verify datasets render correctly in the existing map setup

Optional lightweight cleanup improvements:

• Remove unnecessary properties
• Reduce file size if datasets become extremely large
• Preserve polygon geometry accuracy during conversion

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Expected Functionalities

GeoJSON Dataset Conversion

• Each HydroBASINS polygon dataset converts successfully into valid GeoJSON
• Polygon geometry and important attributes remain intact after conversion

Repository Integration

• GeoJSON files are uploaded into the fixtures folder
• Existing map setup can load and render the datasets correctly

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Notes

• This epic is intended for hackathon-friendly contributions
• Each HydroBASINS level should remain a separate issue for easier onboarding and review
• Contributors do not need frontend UI changes
• Contributors only need to focus on dataset conversion/upload tasks
• Static GeoJSON fixtures are acceptable for this phase of development

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Acceptance Criteria

• Separate issues created for HydroBASINS Levels 2–12
• GeoJSON datasets uploaded into public/fixtures/
• GeoJSON structures are valid and readable
• Datasets render correctly in the existing map setup
• PRs remain small and beginner-friendly
• All datasets remain limited to North America only

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Resources

1. [HydroBASINS Product Page](https://www.hydrosheds.org/products/hydrobasins?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

2. [HydroBASINS Technical Documentation PDF](https://data.hydrosheds.org/file/hydrobasins/pour_point/HydroBASINS_PourPoint_TechDoc_v1.pdf?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

3. [map_dashboard_hackathon fixtures folder](https://github.com/OpenSourceFellows/map_dashboard_hackathon/tree/main/public/fixtures?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

Start by reviewing the existing files in public/fixtures and the existing map setup, then consult the HydroSHEDS HydroBASINS product documentation. This epic should be broken into level-specific issues before work begins; completion means each North America level has valid, readable GeoJSON in public/fixtures and renders correctly.