Data related to flood mapping
Data is important to understand the risk of flooding and better prepare and respond to a flood event. Some data directly relates to where flooding has occurred or demonstrates possible areas of future flooding.
A variety of technical data contributes to flood mapping, such as Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) or 3D models of the landscape (ie. topographic and bathymetric data), water quantity (flow rate), water levels, meteorological and climatological data, and ice conditions.
The Government of Canada hosts open data available both internally and for the public via the Open Government Portal. Below you will find some information and links to data that supports flood mapping.
Explore an archive of locations where some of the largest floods have taken place in recent Canadian history.
National Hydrographic Network (NHN)
This data describes Canada’s inland surface waters, including rivers, lakes, dams, watersheds, and more. It is intended for water and watershed management. It also has various applications related to hydrography.
National Flood Hazard Data Layer (NFHDL)
The NFHDL is a collection of hundreds of flood hazard maps and studies in Canada. It is an interoperable, standardized, geospatial data layer. The NFHDL is currently available on demand for federal, territorial, and provincial partners.
NRCan’s Emergency Geomatics Services (EGS) provides accurate, real-time flood extent maps using satellite imagery and maps for ice river break up. The flood extent maps are used by emergency responders to support major flooding events in Canada and are distinct from flood hazard maps.
Find out more about applying machine learning to create a national map of areas susceptible (or prone) to flooding. This is based on terrain, hydrography, geology, ecology, and meteorological characteristics.
High Resolution Digital Elevation Model (HRDEM)
Explore a representation of the earth's surface in three dimensions: a 3D rendering of the land. The HRDEM can be used to create flood maps by helping to predict where water may flow during flood events.
Data Cube (in progress)
NRCan’s Data Cube platform allows you to interact with historical and current collections of satellite imagery and aerial photography. Explore landscape changes with the tools hosted on the linked webpage.
Automatically extracted buildings
This data layer delineates building footprints that are automatically extracted from airborne LiDAR data, high-resolution optical imagery, or other sources.
ClimateData.ca enables Canadians to access, visualize, and analyze climate data, and provides related information and tools to support adaptation planning and decision-making.
Download hydrometric station data via Geospatial web services. The near real-time information presented on this website is received via satellite or land-line transmissions from hydrometric gauging.
Access historical weather, climate data, and related information for numerous locations across Canada.
Find out more about flood mapping
Educational resources
Reach out to us
For more information, please email geoinfo@nrcan-rncan.gc.ca
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