Freshwater Atlas

The Freshwater Atlas is a standardized dataset for mapping British Columbia's hydrological features. The atlas defines watershed boundaries and provides a connected network of streams, lakes and wetlands. This network serves as the foundation for sophisticated analysis and modelling.

The quality of B.C.’s water is a reflection of the environmental, economic and social well-being of our province. The Freshwater Atlas has been developed as a management tool to ensure freshwater resources in B.C. are sustained for future generations.

• Freshwater Atlas Executive Summary (PDF)

Product Details

The Freshwater Atlas was designed to be the definitive source for mapping freshwater features in B.C. The atlas provides a consistent base and coding system, ensuring the Province’s various freshwater-related inventories are tied to a common base.

Freshwater Atlas data is generally dense. Data should be displayed at a scale greater than 1:75,000 for best results. The dataset is available in ARC_SDE format and BC Albers projection.

Navigate through Freshwater Atlas data with the help of an application based on Web Map Service (WMS) standards. Create your own maps and views by combining Freshwater Atlas data with other provincial datasets.

Documentation

A high-level overview of intended and potential uses of Freshwater Atlas data:

• Using Freshwater Atlas Data (PDF)

The following documents provide guidance on accessing Freshwater Atlas data:

• Freshwater Atlas User Guide (PDF)
• Freshwater Atlas Model Glossary (PDF)
• Freshwater Atlas Warehouse Model Specification (PDF)

Descriptions of Freshwater Atlas data available from the B.C. Geographic Warehouse (BCGW):

• Freshwater Atlas BCGW Key (PDF)

How to Acquire

Freshwater Atlas data can be viewed through the iMapBC application. Open iMapBC in an Internet Explorer browser:

• View the Freshwater Atlas in iMapBC

Freshwater Atlas data for Ceakamus River Basin and Nanaimo River Basin can be opened in Google Earth:

• Display Freshwater Atlas data in Google Earth (KML)

Download the Freshwater Atlas for the entire Province of British Columbia:

• Freshwater Atlas FTP

Freshwater Atlas datasets can be downloaded from the B.C. Data Catalogue:

• Freshwater Atlas Datasets Metadata 

Pricing

Watersheds

Watersheds are bounded by heights of land, which provide the definitive reference for many administrative boundaries and land tenures. Each stream in the Province of B.C. has its own watershed, but is also linked to the other streams and watersheds around it. The Freshwater Atlas allows users to connect a stream to both its tributaries and the watersheds associated with them.

This document provides the background, objectives, principles and production methods for a new standard delineation of assessment watersheds for British Columbia:

• Overview of Assessment Watersheds (PDF)