WIREDGOV

National mapping authority Ordnance Survey, has released a new product which maps watercourses across Scotland including the highlands and islands, to help local authorities manage flood risk effectively and reduce the impact of flooding incidents. OS MasterMap Networks – Water Layer will be used to improve scientific understanding of water flows and water quality reporting under the statutory EU Water Framework Directive.

OS MasterMap Networks – Water Layer is designed to be used with the other layers of OS MasterMap so that detailed analysis and planning can be done – using the most detailed and consistent information available. Combining OS MasterMap Networks – Water Layer with the topographic, address and road information published in OS MasterMap allows users to understand the impacts of flooding for individuals, businesses and essential public services, including health and education providers and the emergency services.

Tom Satterthwaite, Product Manager at Ordnance Survey, said: ‘OS MasterMap Networks – Water Layer is an important new asset for flood risk managers, incident responders and civil planners. We’ve worked with Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), Marine Scotland and the local authority community to develop a data specification that will help users to create a detailed understanding of the watercourses in their area, and then share that data with their own partner agencies. This should mean that over time, flooding risks are reduced and that when flooding happens, agencies are better prepared’.

OS MasterMap Networks – Water Layer data is topologically structured in link/node networks with watercourse geometry derived from Ordnance Survey’s existing large scale content. Catchment information is supplied by SEPA with additional culvert information coming from both Scottish Water and local authorities. The dataset supports reporting under the European Union’s Water Framework Directive (Directive 2000/60/EC) and is INSPIRE compliant.

OS MasterMap Networks – Water Layer is now included in the One Scotland Mapping Agreement (OSMA) making it available to all public sector organisations throughout Scotland. OSMA provides wide data-sharing rights so that users can share data and plans quickly and effectively. The product will be rolled out across the whole of Great Britain, as a beta version in September 2013 before a commercial launch in March 2014.

For further information visit

www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/oswebsite/products/os-mastermap/water-layer/index.html