GPS Coordinates

Accurate GPS coordinates are essential for mapping, navigation, and regulatory reporting in DrillerDB. The system provides multiple methods for capturing and managing location data, ensuring every project has precise geographic information.

Adding GPS Coordinates

DrillerDB offers three methods for adding GPS coordinates to projects, each suited to different workflows and data sources.

Address Geocoding is the most common method. Enter a street address in the location field, and the system automatically contacts Google Maps Geocoding API to convert the address into latitude and longitude coordinates. This geocoding happens in real-time as you type or when you save the project.

Manual Entry allows direct input of latitude and longitude values. This method is essential when working with survey data, GPS devices, or regulatory records that provide exact coordinates. Use decimal degree format like 43.074722, -89.384444 for best results.

Map Picker provides a visual method for selecting locations. Click the map picker button to open an interactive map, then click the desired location. The system captures the coordinates of your click point and stores them with the project.

Coordinate Formats

DrillerDB accepts GPS coordinates in multiple formats and automatically converts them to decimal degrees for internal storage and API compatibility.

Decimal Degrees like 43.074722, -89.384444 is the preferred format and requires no conversion. This format works with all mapping APIs and provides the highest precision.

Degrees Minutes Seconds like 43° 04' 29" N, 89° 23' 04" W is commonly used in surveying and regulatory documents. The system automatically parses this format and converts it to decimal degrees when you enter it.

Degrees Decimal Minutes like 43° 04.488' N, 89° 23.066' W is another common format. DrillerDB recognizes this format and handles the conversion automatically.

Coordinate Validation

The system validates all GPS coordinates to ensure they fall within reasonable geographic bounds for your service area. Coordinates outside North America trigger a warning, helping catch data entry errors or format problems.

Latitude values must fall between -90 and 90 degrees. Longitude values must fall between -180 and 180 degrees. Coordinates outside these ranges are rejected with an error message.

The validation system also checks for impossible or suspicious values like 0, 0 coordinates which typically indicate geocoding failures or placeholder data. Projects with invalid coordinates cannot be displayed on maps until the coordinates are corrected.

Adjusting Coordinates

GPS coordinates can be adjusted at any time from the project details screen. Click the "Edit Location" button to enter edit mode, then use any of the three input methods to update the coordinates.

When adjusting coordinates, the map marker updates in real-time to show the new location. This immediate visual feedback helps you verify the correction before saving.

Coordinate adjustments are logged in the project history, creating an audit trail of location changes. This audit trail is important for regulatory compliance and troubleshooting mapping issues.

Coordinate Precision

DrillerDB stores GPS coordinates with six decimal place precision, providing accuracy within approximately 4 inches. This precision level exceeds most drilling industry requirements and supports high-accuracy applications like survey staking or regulatory boundary compliance.

When displaying coordinates to users, the system rounds to five decimal places for readability while maintaining full precision in the database. This rounding affects only the display, not the stored values.

Importing Coordinates

Bulk coordinate updates are supported through the project import system. Upload a CSV or Excel file containing project identifiers and GPS coordinates, and the system will update all matching projects.

The import system supports all coordinate formats and performs the same validation as manual entry. Invalid coordinates are flagged in the import results, allowing you to correct errors before completing the import.

Regulatory Reporting

Many states require GPS coordinates in well completion reports and regulatory submissions. DrillerDB automatically includes coordinates in exported reports using the format specified by each state's requirements.

For Wisconsin DNR submissions, coordinates are formatted in decimal degrees with five decimal places. For other states, the system adapts to each jurisdiction's preferred format. This automatic formatting ensures regulatory compliance without manual coordinate conversion.