Redistribution of the map of the water surfaces of the Flemish Region (status 2024)

This is a redistribution of the dataset 'Watervlakken - versie 2024’ (Water surfaces - edition 2024), originally published by the Research Institute for Nature and Forest (INBO) and distributed by 'Informatie Vlaanderen' under a CC-BY compatible license. More specifically, this Zenodo record redistributes the GeoPackage file from the original data source, in order to support reproducible, analytical workflows on Flemish Natura 2000 habitats and regionally important biotopes.

The digital map of standing water surfaces (edition 2024) is a georeferenced digital file of standing surface waters in Flanders (northern Belgium). The file contains 93 201 polygons with an area between 1.45 m² and 2.47 km² and can be considered as the most complete and accurate representation of lentic water bodies presently available for the Flemish territory. The map is based on topographic map layers, orthophoto images, the Digital Terrain Model of Flanders version II, results of a water prediction model and, to a lesser extent, field observations. It can be used for a wide range of applications in research, policy preparation and policy implementation, management planning and evaluation that consider the distribution and characteristics of stagnant water bodies. The map is also relevant internationally, including updates for the National Wetland Inventories (Ramsar). Furthermore, its unique reference to each object will considerably facilitate related data management.

For this new edition of Watervlakken (2024), the orthophoto images of 2021, 2022 and 2023 and the digital terrain model of Flanders have been used. This edition also uses the results of an AI prediction model for water developed by VITO. Data from various Regional Landscapes, ad hoc user reports and field observations have been used to digitise additional polygons, make shape corrections or remove filled ponds from the map layer. For a number of water surfaces, new data on the Flemish type according to the European Water Framework Directive (WFD type), water depth and connectivity have been added to the attribute table.

The data source is produced, owned and administered by the Research Institute for Nature and Forest (INBO, Department of Environment of the Flemish government).