Water

Sub-Theme

Surface Hydrology

Theme 
Water
Aggregator 
Geoscience Australia

The Surface Hydrology dataset provides a set of related feature classes to be used as the basis of the production of consistent hydrological information. This dataset contains a geometric representation of the (major) surface water features of Australia. Primarily, these are natural surface hydrology features, but the dataset also contains some artificial features (notably reservoirs, canals and other hydrographic features).

Purpose

The Surface Hydrology dataset is a data aggregation from multiple jurisdiction sources which outputs a seamless and consistent representation of national surface hydrology information. Specifically, the dataset is intended for defining hydrological features within a defined area that are then used in modelling and analysis.

Dataset Uses

Government agencies use this data to

  • Define administrative boundaries
  • Catchments and aquifers can form the boundaries between adjacent state governments or other administrative areas
  • Model areas of interest
  • Manage Environmental assets
  • Water Accounting
  • Asset management and monitoring
  • Delivering emergency or security services

Standards and Specifications

AS4590:2006 Interchange of client information
ISO19100 series Geographic information
Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) Web Feature Service (WFS) Implementation Specification 1.1.0 (OGC Document No. 04-094)
Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) Web Map Service (WMS) Implementation Specification 1.3.0 (OGC Document No. 06-042)

Access and Licensing

Creative Commons Attribution 4.0

Quality

The Surface Hydrology database provides a seamless surface hydrology layer for Australia with varying scales of information ranging from 1:25 000 to 1:250 000 data.

Spatial accuracy position of the feature instance will be within 0.5mm at map scale for 90% of the well-defined points. That is:

  • 1:25 000 = 12.5 m
  • 1:50 000 = 25 m
  • 1:100 000 = 50 m
  • 1:250 000 = 125 m

In some areas of low lying or flood plain areas the spatial accuracy of features could be 250 m.

The dataset consists of lines, points and polygons representing natural and artificial features such as watercourses, lakes, dams and other water bodies. The natural watercourse layer consists of a linear network with a consistent topology of links and nodes that provide directional flow paths through the network for hydrological analysis.

Data is maintained through numerous sources including satellite imagery, aerial photography, field work and information gathered from relevant stakeholders and custodians, by data verification and testing. Revision material has also been gathered from a variety of authoritative sources

Current Status

An aggregation of jurisdictional data is maintained by Geoscience Australia. This data is made up of a mixture of scale ranging from 1:25 000 to 1:250 000 across the continent.

Geoscience Australia provided inputs to the Bureau of Meteorology for the creation of Geofabric suite of products to meet the requirements of the National Water Account under the Australian Water Act 2007 and Water Regulations 2008

Future Status

Short term objectives:

  • Fully aggregate all jurisdictional data into a national dataset to provide a complete and consistent representation of the national surface hydrology network

Long term objectives include:

  • Continued spatial upgrades of all surface hydrology data using latest acquired and higher resolution imagery
  • Hydrological enforcement using improved elevation models
  • Hydrometric Monitoring point to be included into the foundation datasets

Key Users

Key users of the surface hydrology are Commonwealth, State, Territory and Local governments and the Research and Industry sectors.

Version

1.00

Details