Dartmouth Flood Observatory

Space-based Measurement of Surface Water

For Research, Educational, and Humanitarian Applications

Current Flooding

The Flood Observatory uses orbital remote sensing to detect, measure, and map river discharge and river flooding. It includes:

River Watch, a satellite-based flood detection and measurement system (example).
Surface Water Data Record, a comprehensive map and data record of the Earth's changing surface water.
Active Archive of Large Floods, 1985 to present (basic information concerning known flood events).
Rapid Response Inundation Maps, produced and published while floods are underway.

GIS data: Starting in October, 2009, we are making available to the general public our flood inundation polygons in .shp format. This is the detailed information depicted in the the Surface Water Data Record and any associated rapid response inundation maps.

Watershed-based displays of flooding, drought, and runoff

California-Nevada Surface Water Monitor

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Effects of El Niño on Reported Major Flooding (in prep)

DFO facilitates practical use of space-based information for flood detection, flood response, future risk assessment, and water resources research. Your inputs are invited.

Flood Observatory Director: Prof. G. Robert Brakenridge, Depts Geography and EarthSciences, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH USA,03755

This work is made possible by data obtained by NASA, JAXA, ESA, and other space agencies,and by funding support from the Agriculture and Rural Development (ARD) department of the World Bank, the Earth Surface and Interior and the Applied Sciences Programs, NASA, the Pacific Disaster Center, and the European Commission's GDACS project, Joint Research Centre, Ispra, Italy. The sustained institutional support of the Departments of Geography and Earth Sciences, Dartmouth College is gratefully acknowledged.