Where Do I Find Arch Data?
Something you’ll often hear me refer to is “arch data,” but what is this data, and where do you even get it?
Well, the first question is quite simple to answer. When I talk about arch data, I’m simply generically referring to any datasets of natural arches that exist. These datasets can contain locations, pictures, measurements, and other information about the arches.
The second question, however, is a bit more complicated.
Disclaimer: Before continuing, I want to address the fact that I will be mentioning some criticisms about some of the resources I mention here. These criticisms are not intended to be an attack on these resources or the people who maintain them. All of the resources mentioned here have been produced by a lot of people who have put an unbelievable amount of work into them. These criticisms are instead intended to point out where our datasets currently are, where they’re lacking, and, ultimately, how we can improve the documentation of our natural arches.
Where is all of this Data?
You see, there isn’t one central natural arch dataset. Even those that one would think would be a definitive source don’t quite live up to their expectations. This isn’t to say that there hasn’t been a huge amount of work put into these resources; it’s just that there really isn’t a good central repository of arch data.
As such, we arch hunters must resort to using a mishmash of different resources. These can include general arch databases, databases geared towards specific areas, and the datasets of individual arch hunters.
Let’s take a look at some of these resources.
General Arch Databases
When we’re talking about general arch datasets, there are really two that come to mind: The Natural Arch and Bridge Society and the World Arch Database.
The Natural Arch and Bridge Society Dataset
The Natural Arch and Bridge Society, or NABS, is a non-profit that aims to connect arch enthusiasts, promote the study of natural arches, and help encourage the preservation of these impressive natural formations.
Members of NABS gain access to a members-only area of the website that grants them access to a number of resources, one of which is their arch dataset.
One would think that NABS would have one of the better datasets around, but in doing the research for my own personal dataset, I’ve found it to be severely lacking.
The dataset has a huge number of arches in it, but the quality of the entries is hit or miss. There are plenty of duplicate entries, missing entries, and entries that have information that’s just flat out wrong. Despite these issues, the NABS dataset remains one of the first resources I use when starting my research on a new area.
The World Arch Database
The World Arch Database, or WAD, aims to create a central database for the world’s arches and make it searchable by its members. Upon joining WAD, you gain access to their full repository of data.
The WAD dataset makes a number of improvements to the NABS dataset. For one, it puts all of the data into an easily searchable form. Additionally, the maintainers of WAD have worked to add pictures of many of the arches in the database and correct the inaccuracies in the NABS data as they’ve found it.
Despite these improvements, however, WAD is still far from a perfect dataset. By far the biggest issue with the dataset is that their base dataset is based on the NABS data. This means that there are still plenty of duplicate entries and entries with information that is simply inaccurate. Again, they correct this as they come across it, but it’s a giant task. Combine that with the remote locations of some of these arches and you realize just how daunting of a task it really is!
Again, despite WAD not being a perfect dataset, it’s still among the first resources I use in my own research of a new area.
Regional Datasets
Both NABS and WAD aim to be a central repository of all of the world’s arches. This means that the scope of these projects is unimaginably immense.
Regional datasets, however, try to focus on a more specific area. This greatly reduces the scope of the project, making their goals a bit more attainable. As such, regional datasets can often times be far more accurate than both NABS and WAD. Here are some of the regional datasets that I’m currently aware of:
Kentucky Arches – Not surprisingly, Kentucky Arches aims to be the premiere arch database for the state of Kentucky.
Arches of the Red River Gorge – This dataset is a bit more unique in that it’s not available through the web. Instead, they are a series of DVDs produces by Kentucky arch hunter Bill Patrick. Bill’s DVDs provide a fantastic dataset detailing the myriad of natural arches located in Kentucky’s Red River Gorge.
Tennessee Landforms – This site serves as a dataset for landforms located in the state of Tennessee, including its natural arches.
Arches of the Escalante – This resource works to document the natural arches found within Utah’s Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument.
Aztec Natural Arches – This website, which is part of the tourism website for Aztec, New Mexico, details some of the natural arches that are found in and around Aztec.
The Natural Arches of Tassili National Park – Documents the natural arches found in Tassili National Park in Algeria. The site was active until about 2010 and is now hosted by the Natural Arch and Bridge Society for prosperity.
Bob’s Arches – Okay, this one technically isn’t a regional dataset per se, but I wanted to include it somewhere on this list. Bob Fagley was a prolific arch hunter who passed away in 2013. His website documented many of the arches he visited throughout his life. The Natural Arch and Bridge Society now mirrors his site for prosperity.
Personal Datasets
The last category of arch datasets is those that are researched and maintained by individual arch hunters. Many of these datasets are private and inaccessible to all except their creators and the small number of people they choose to share them with.
Despite this, there are a few that we can generally access:
Bob Vreelands Data – Bob Vreeland was among the world’s most prolific arch hunters who passed away in 2005. Throughout his years of arch hunting, he produced a number of books called Nature’s Bridges and Arches. Digital copies of most of these books can be viewed online by members of NABS.
Journal of Natural Arch Discoveries – also called JNAD, was a series of publications that aimed to document newly discovered arches. Like the Vreeland books, members of NABS can access these journals online.
The Arch Hunter Books – These books were written by Chris Moore, another prolific arch hunter who sadly passed away in 2011. Like the other datasets mentioned in this section, you can view these online as a NABS member.
Other Resources?
Hopefully, you’ve found some of the resources mentioned here helpful. I’m always on the lookout for new arch datasets. If you have any available that you’d like to share, please feel free to let me know in the comments below!
