WWF ’s Hydrological data and maps based on SHuttle Elevation Derivatives at multiple Scales (“HydroSHEDS”)

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Last Updated September 5, 2017, 08:56 (UTC)
Created September 5, 2017, 08:49 (UTC)
E-mail a.barbosa@unesco.org
Language Eng
Abstract HydroSHEDS (Hydrological data and maps based on SHuttle Elevation Derivatives at multiple Scales) provides hydrographic information in a consistent and comprehensive format for regional and global-scale applications. HydroSHEDS offers a suite of geo-referenced data sets in raster and vector format, including stream networks, watershed boundaries, drainage directions, and ancillary data layers such as flow accumulations, distances, and river topology information. The goal of developing HydroSHEDS was to generate key data layers to support regional and global watershed analyses, hydrological modeling, and freshwater conservation planning at a quality, resolution and extent that has previously been unachievable. Available resolutions range from 3 arc-second (approx. 90 meters at the equator) to 5 minute (approx. 10 km at the equator) with seamless near-global extent. HydroSHEDS has been developed by the Conservation Science Program of World Wildlife Fund (WWF), in partnership or collaboration with the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS); the International Centre for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT); The Nature Conservancy (TNC); McGill University, Montreal, Canada; the Australian National University, Canberra, Australia; and the Center for Environmental Systems Research (CESR), University of Kassel, Germany. Major funding for this project was provided to WWF by JohnsonDiversey, Inc. and Sealed Air Corporation. HydroSHEDS data are free for non-commercial and commercial use. See License Agreement for specific restrictions and use requirements. This product [insert Licensee Derivative Product name] incorporates data from the HydroSHEDS database which is © World Wildlife Fund, Inc. (2006-2013) and has been used herein under license. WWF has not evaluated the data as altered and incorporated within [insert Licensee Derivative Product name], and therefore gives no warranty regarding its accuracy, completeness, currency or suitability for any particular purpose. Portions of the HydroSHEDS database incorporate data which are the intellectual property rights of © USGS (2006-2008), NASA (2000-2005), ESRI (1992-1998), CIAT (2004-2006), UNEP-WCMC (1993), WWF (2004), Commonwealth of Australia (2007), and Her Royal Majesty and the British Crown and are used under license. The HydroSHEDS database and more information are available at http://www.hydrosheds.org.
Resource type Spatial dataset series
Spatial representation type vector
License CC-BY-4.0
Classification Inland waters
Creation date 2013-07-01
Publication date 2013-07-01
Last revision date 2013-07-01
INSPIRE theme Area management - restriction - regulation zones - reporting units
Free keywords Hydrological, Freswhater, including stream networks, watershed boundaries, drainage directions
Vocabulary date type Date of publication
Temporal date 2013-07-01
Lineage Preliminary quality assessments indicate that the accuracy of HydroSHEDS significantly exceeds that of existing global watershed and river maps. However, users must be aware of certain characteristics of the data, such as resolution, accuracy, method of production, and resulting artifacts, in order to be able to judge its suitability for a specific application. As a global product, HydroSHEDS does not reach the accuracy of high-resolution local river networks (e.g. national 1:50,000 hydrographic maps).The quality of HydroSHEDS mostly depends on the characteristics of the SRTM-based elevation model. Being a radar product, SRTM elevation values are influenced by vegetation and other surface features which affect hydrographic derivatives. For more information visit HydroSHEDS web page
Responsible party World Wildlife Fund, Inc.(WWF)
Responsible party email
Responsible party role Owner
Related publications The scientific citation for the HydroSHEDS database is: Lehner, B., Verdin, K., Jarvis, A. (2008): New global hydrography derived from spaceborne elevation data. Eos, Transactions, AGU, 89(10): 93-94.
Projections WGS 84 -- EPSG-4326
Spatial extent - North 36.97
Spatial extent - South 34.8
Spatial extent - East -4.68
Spatial extent - West -5.84

Dataset extent