GeoTap Developer

GeoTap Developer

One API for 37 US federal environmental and infrastructure data sources.

GeoTap aggregates data from FEMA, USGS, EPA, NOAA, USDA, USFWS, DOT, Census, and more into a single REST API. This repository contains:

• REST API documentation — query federal data programmatically
• MCP Server — connect GeoTap to Claude, Cursor, Windsurf, and other AI tools

Web App: geotapdata.com — no code required, draw on a map and explore data visually.

Data Sources

Every API response includes source attribution — the federal agency, dataset name, and reference URL — so you always know where the data came from.

Quick Start

Option 1: REST API

# Get flood zones, wetlands, soils, and 16 more layers for a location
curl "https://geotapdata.com/api/v1/spatial/near?lat=30.267&lng=-97.743&radius=0.5"

# Get NOAA Atlas 14 rainfall data
curl "https://geotapdata.com/api/v1/rainfall/atlas14?lat=30.267&lon=-97.743"

# Geocode an address
curl "https://geotapdata.com/api/v1/geocode?address=123+Main+St+Austin+TX"

Option 2: MCP Server (for AI tools)

Add to Claude Desktop or Cursor config:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "geotap": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "geotap-mcp-server"]
    }
  }
}

Then ask: "What are the flood zones at 123 Main St, Austin TX?"

REST API Reference

Base URL: https://geotapdata.com/api/v1

Authentication

API keys are optional during the open beta. All endpoints work without authentication.

Authenticated requests get higher rate limits and usage tracking.

Rate Limits

Rate limit headers are included in every response: X-RateLimit-Limit, X-RateLimit-Remaining, X-RateLimit-Reset.

Response Format

Every response includes:

{
  "success": true,
  "data": { ... },
  "_meta": {
    "sources": [
      {
        "agency": "FEMA",
        "dataset": "National Flood Hazard Layer (NFHL)",
        "url": "https://www.fema.gov/flood-maps/national-flood-hazard-layer"
      }
    ],
    "retrievedAt": "2026-03-19T12:00:00.000Z",
    "disclaimer": "Data sourced from US federal agencies via GeoTap..."
  }
}

Endpoints

Geocoding

curl "https://geotapdata.com/api/v1/geocode?address=456+Oak+Ave+Houston+TX"

Quick Start: Query an Address (Recommended)

The fastest way to get environmental data — geocode + query in one call:

# One call: geocodes address + returns flood zone, soils, wetlands, contamination
curl "https://geotapdata.com/api/v1/query-address?address=123+Main+St+Houston+TX"

# With specific layers
curl "https://geotapdata.com/api/v1/query-address?address=123+Main+St+Houston+TX&layers=flood_zones,soil_map_units"

Response includes plain-English _interpretation fields:

{
  "properties": {
    "zone": "AE",
    "_interpretation": "High-risk flood zone with base flood elevations determined. Flood insurance required."
  }
}

Point Query (by coordinates)

# What's at this exact point? (properties only, no geometry — always <5KB)
curl "https://geotapdata.com/api/v1/spatial/point?lat=30.267&lng=-97.743&layers=flood_zones,wetlands"

Spatial Queries

geometry parameter — available on /near, /bbox, /in-polygon, and /layers/:name/features:

• geometry=none — strips all coordinates (smallest response, best for LLM consumers)
• geometry=simplified — reduces coordinate density
• geometry=full — complete geometry (default)

# All environmental data within 0.5 km of a point (no geometry for smaller response)
curl "https://geotapdata.com/api/v1/spatial/near?lat=34.05&lng=-118.25&radius=0.5&geometry=none"

# Specific layers only
curl "https://geotapdata.com/api/v1/spatial/near?lat=34.05&lng=-118.25&radius=0.5&layers=flood_zones,wetlands,soil_map_units"

# Query within a polygon
curl -X POST "https://geotapdata.com/api/v1/spatial/in-polygon" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "polygon": {
      "type": "Polygon",
      "coordinates": [[[-97.75,30.26],[-97.74,30.26],[-97.74,30.27],[-97.75,30.27],[-97.75,30.26]]]
    },
    "geometry": "none"
  }'

Data Layers

Available layer names: flood_zones, wetlands, soil_map_units, dem_elevation, nlcd_land_cover, contours, building_footprints, stream_gauges, streams_rivers, weather_alerts, critical_habitat, protected_lands, brownfields, superfund, ust, npdes_outfalls, dams, levees, impaired_waters, satellite_imagery, sole_source_aquifers

Rainfall & Precipitation

# Atlas 14 rainfall for all durations and return periods
curl "https://geotapdata.com/api/v1/rainfall/atlas14?lat=32.78&lon=-96.80"

# Generate a 25-year, 24-hour design storm hyetograph
curl -X POST "https://geotapdata.com/api/v1/rainfall/hyetograph" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "latitude": 32.78,
    "longitude": -96.80,
    "returnPeriod": "25yr",
    "duration": 24,
    "timeInterval": 15,
    "distribution": "SCS Type III"
  }'

# Climate-adjusted rainfall projection
curl -X POST "https://geotapdata.com/api/v1/rainfall/climate/project" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "latitude": 32.78,
    "longitude": -96.80,
    "returnPeriod": "100yr",
    "duration": 24,
    "horizon": "mid-century",
    "scenario": "SSP5-8.5"
  }'

Watershed & Hydrology

# Delineate watershed from a pour point
curl -X POST "https://geotapdata.com/api/v1/watershed/delineate" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"lat": 36.12, "lng": -97.06}'

Hydrology Toolkit

Curve Number

# Lookup curve number for developed land on B soils
curl "https://geotapdata.com/api/v1/cn/lookup?nlcd=22&hsg=B"

# Calculate weighted CN for a catchment
curl -X POST "https://geotapdata.com/api/v1/cn/analyze" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"catchments": {"type": "FeatureCollection", "features": [...]}}'

Water Quality

Waterway Permits

Monitoring Stations

Gage Intelligence

Gauged sites (requires USGS station ID):

Ungaged sites (regional regression):

Watershed similarity:

# Flood frequency at USGS gage 08158000 (Colorado River at Austin)
curl "https://geotapdata.com/api/v1/gage-intelligence/08158000/flood-frequency"

# 7Q10 low flow for NPDES permits
curl "https://geotapdata.com/api/v1/gage-intelligence/08158000/low-flow"

# Estimate flood frequency at an ungaged site
curl -X POST "https://geotapdata.com/api/v1/gage-intelligence/ungaged/estimate" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"state": "TX", "region": "4", "parameters": {"drainageArea": 10.5}}'

Elevation & Terrain

Land Use

Site Analysis & Reports

# Generate a full site analysis
curl -X POST "https://geotapdata.com/api/v1/site-analysis/report" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "geometry": {"type": "Point", "coordinates": [-97.74, 30.27]},
    "projectName": "Oak Hill Development"
  }'

# Check status (reports take 30-60 seconds)
curl "https://geotapdata.com/api/v1/site-analysis/report/{jobId}"

Export

# Export flood zones and wetlands as a shapefile
curl -X POST "https://geotapdata.com/api/v1/export" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "layers": ["flood_zones", "wetlands"],
    "format": "shapefile",
    "geometry": {"type": "Polygon", "coordinates": [[...]]}
  }'

Satellite Imagery

Health & Status

MCP Server

The MCP (Model Context Protocol) server wraps the REST API into 16 consolidated tools (or 109 legacy tools) that Claude, Cursor, Windsurf, and other AI assistants can call directly.

Installation

Claude Desktop

Add to your claude_desktop_config.json:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "geotap": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "geotap-mcp-server"]
    }
  }
}

Cursor

Add to your Cursor MCP settings:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "geotap": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "geotap-mcp-server"]
    }
  }
}

Windsurf / Other MCP Clients

npm install -g geotap-mcp-server
geotap-mcp

Configuration

With API key:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "geotap": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "geotap-mcp-server"],
      "env": {
        "GEOTAP_API_KEY": "your-api-key-here"
      }
    }
  }
}

What You Can Ask

• "What are the flood zones at 123 Main St, Austin TX?"
• "Is this property in a wetland?"
• "What soil types are on this site?"
• "What's the 100-year rainfall for Dallas?"
• "Delineate the watershed at this point"
• "Are there any EPA Superfund sites near here?"
• "What's the curve number for this drainage area?"
• "What are the peak flood flows for this stream?"
• "What's the 7Q10 low flow at this gauge?"
• "Generate a design storm hyetograph for a 25-year, 24-hour event"
• "How will climate change affect rainfall at this location?"
• "Run a full environmental site analysis for this parcel"
• "What permits do I need to build near this stream?"
• "Export this data as a shapefile"

Available Tools (109 legacy / 16 consolidated)

Core tools (start here):

• query_address — Geocode + environmental query in one call. Returns properties with plain-English interpretations. (<5KB response)
• identify_features_at_point — Same as above but for lat/lng coordinates
• get_rainfall_data — NOAA Atlas 14 precipitation data
• get_environmental_summary — Quick feature counts per layer
• geocode_address — Convert address to coordinates

• query_address — Geocode + point query in one call (recommended starting tool)
• identify_features_at_point — Point-in-polygon query (properties only, no geometry)
• get_environmental_data_for_area — Query all 37 data sources within a polygon (supports geometry=none)
• get_environmental_data_near_point — Query all data sources near a lat/lng point (supports geometry=none)
• get_environmental_summary — Quick feature counts per layer for an area
• get_environmental_data_in_bbox — Query data within a bounding box (supports geometry=none)

• list_data_layers — List all 37 available data sources
• get_layer_details — Get metadata about a specific layer
• get_layer_features — Get features from a specific data layer

• get_rainfall_data — NOAA Atlas 14 precipitation frequency estimates
• get_idf_curves — Intensity-Duration-Frequency curve data
• generate_hyetograph — Design storm rainfall distribution over time
• export_hyetograph — Export hyetograph as CSV/JSON for modeling software
• list_rainfall_distributions — All available temporal distribution types
• get_rainfall_distribution — Recommended SCS distribution for a location
• get_climate_scenarios — Available climate change scenarios and horizons
• get_climate_change_factors — Climate adjustment multipliers for a location
• get_climate_change_rainfall_projection — Future rainfall under climate scenarios
• get_rainfall_uncertainty_bounds — Atlas 14 confidence intervals
• generate_uncertainty_envelope — Monte Carlo uncertainty bands for design storms
• run_rainfall_sensitivity_analysis — Parameter sensitivity analysis
• get_design_approaches — Risk-based design confidence levels
• check_rainfall_service_status — NOAA Atlas 14 availability check

• delineate_watershed — Trace watershed boundary from a pour point (USGS StreamStats)
• get_watershed_characteristics — Basin physical/hydrologic parameters
• get_flow_statistics — Peak and low flow estimates (regional regression)
• get_flowlines — Stream network from NHD
• get_watershed_water_quality — Water quality in the containing watershed

• analyze_hydrology — Complete hydrologic analysis (CN, Tc, SCS runoff, peak flow)
• get_hydrology_distributions — Available rainfall distributions for analysis
• get_hydrology_distribution_for_location — Recommended distribution for a point

• lookup_curve_number — SCS CN for a land use + soil type combination
• get_curve_number_tables — Complete CN lookup tables
• analyze_curve_numbers — Weighted CN calculation for catchment areas

• get_water_quality — EPA ATTAINS impairment data with downstream trace
• get_water_impairments — Quick impairment check by HUC-12
• get_watershed_for_point — Identify HUC-12 watershed for a location

• find_water_features — Find streams, wetlands, waterbodies in an area
• analyze_permit_requirements — Determine required permits (Section 404, NPDES, etc.)

• get_elevation_stats — Min/max/mean elevation (USGS 3DEP)
• get_contour_lines — Generate topographic contour lines
• get_contour_interval_options — Available contour intervals
• export_dem — Export DEM as GeoTIFF (1m/10m/30m)
• export_contours — Export contour lines as GeoJSON
• check_dem_availability — Check which resolutions are available
• get_dem_resolution_options — Available DEM resolutions

• export_land_use — NLCD land cover data (GeoTIFF or vector)

• find_monitoring_stations — Search for USGS/NOAA/EPA stations
• search_stations — Search stations by name or ID
• get_station_types — Available station type configurations

• get_flood_frequency_analysis — Bulletin 17C flood frequency at a USGS gauge
• get_flow_duration_curve — Flow duration curve and percentiles
• get_low_flow_statistics — 7Q10, 7Q2, harmonic mean (NPDES critical flows)
• get_storm_events — Detect and analyze historical storm events
• get_storm_event_detail — Detailed data for a specific storm event
• export_storm_event_for_modeling — Export storm event for HEC-HMS
• get_gage_summary — Quick overview of available data at a gauge
• get_published_gage_statistics — Official USGS GageStats values
• compare_computed_vs_published_stats — QA comparison of computed vs. published

• estimate_ungaged_flood_frequency — NSS regional regression estimates
• estimate_all_ungaged_statistics — All available statistics for ungaged site
• get_ungaged_nss_regions — Available NSS regions by state
• get_ungaged_required_parameters — Required basin characteristics for estimation

• find_similar_watersheds — Find analog gauged watersheds
• find_similar_watersheds_with_stats — Similar watersheds with published stats
• recommend_index_gage — Best reference gage for flow transfer
• transfer_flood_statistics — Transfer statistics via drainage area ratio

• generate_site_analysis — Comprehensive environmental site analysis
• get_site_analysis_status — Check analysis job status
• generate_constraints_report — Environmental constraints assessment
• get_constraints_report_status — Check constraints report status
• get_constraints_config — Available constraint configuration options
• generate_developability_report — Site development feasibility score (0-100)
• get_developability_config — Scoring methodology and options

• get_export_options — Available formats and CRS options
• export_data — Export to GeoJSON, Shapefile, KML, CSV, GeoPackage
• get_export_status — Check export job status

• geocode_address — Convert address to coordinates
• check_api_status — Check all data source connectivity
• check_specific_api_status — Check a specific API's status
• get_firm_panels — FEMA FIRM map panel numbers
• get_huc_watersheds — HUC watershed boundaries
• get_huc_watershed_by_code — Specific watershed by HUC code
• export_satellite_imagery — Aerial/satellite imagery as GeoTIFF
• get_satellite_resolution_options — Available imagery resolutions

Use Cases

Civil & Environmental Engineering

• Stormwater design: rainfall (Atlas 14, IDF curves, hyetographs), curve numbers, time of concentration, peak discharge
• Flood analysis: Bulletin 17C flood frequency, flow duration curves, regional regression estimates
• Watershed delineation and hydrologic modeling inputs (HEC-HMS, SWMM)
• Low-flow analysis for NPDES permits (7Q10, 7Q2, harmonic mean flow)
• Ungaged site estimation using NSS regression equations and watershed similarity
• Climate-adjusted design storms for infrastructure resilience

Real Estate & Development

• Environmental due diligence for property transactions
• Site feasibility and developability scoring (0-100 scale)
• Flood zone, wetland, and contamination screening
• Permit pathway analysis (Section 404, NPDES, floodplain development)

Environmental Consulting

• Phase I ESA desktop data gathering (EPA sites, water quality)
• Wetland delineation support (NWI + soils + hydrology)
• Endangered species habitat screening (USFWS critical habitat)
• Water quality impairment assessment (EPA ATTAINS 303(d) list)

AI-Powered Research

• Natural language queries across 37 federal databases
• Automated environmental screening reports
• Cross-agency data correlation and analysis

Example Workflows

Quick Site Screening

User: "What environmental concerns are there at 456 Oak Ave, Houston TX?"

1. geocode_address → get coordinates
2. get_environmental_data_near_point → flood zones, wetlands, soils, EPA sites
3. Summarize findings in plain language

Stormwater Design Package

User: "I need a complete stormwater design package for this 50-acre site in Dallas"

1. geocode_address → coordinates
2. get_rainfall_data → Atlas 14 depths for all return periods
3. get_rainfall_distribution → SCS Type III for Dallas
4. generate_hyetograph → 25-year, 24-hour design storm
5. delineate_watershed → drainage area boundary
6. analyze_curve_numbers → weighted CN from land use + soils
7. analyze_hydrology → time of concentration + peak discharge
8. get_water_quality → receiving water impairments
9. analyze_permit_requirements → required permits

Ungaged Flood Estimation

User: "What's the 100-year flood at 30.5, -97.8? There's no gauge there."

1. get_ungaged_nss_regions → find the NSS region for Texas
2. get_watershed_characteristics → get basin parameters
3. estimate_ungaged_flood_frequency → regional regression estimate
4. find_similar_watersheds_with_stats → validate with nearby gauged data
5. recommend_index_gage → find best reference gage
6. transfer_flood_statistics → drainage area ratio transfer for comparison

Environmental Due Diligence

User: "Run full environmental due diligence on this 20-acre parcel"

1. generate_site_analysis → comprehensive environmental report
2. generate_developability_report → 0-100 feasibility score
3. find_water_features → jurisdictional waters on site
4. analyze_permit_requirements → permit pathway and costs
5. get_water_quality → downstream receiving water assessment

Contributing

Contributions welcome! Please open an issue or pull request.

License

MIT

Links

• Web App: geotapdata.com
• API Docs (JSON): geotapdata.com/api/v1/docs
• Issues: GitHub Issues
• npm: geotap-mcp-server