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DFO - Flood Observatory

The Dartmouth Flood Observatory compiles interactive, online maps for surface water and flood events around the globe from remote sensing and GIS data, government sources, news, and other information sources. The digital maps acquire in near-real time, and preserve for public use, a record of Earth’s changing surface water, including changes related to floods, droughts, wetlands, shorelines, lakes, and reservoirs.

The maps help hydrologists understand patterns of flooding, natural disaster responders navigate around flooded areas; planners identify areas prone to flooding in a changing climate; and the public see impacts of hurricanes, storms, and other events that precipitate flooding.

The Dartmouth Flood Observatory was established in 1993 at Dartmouth College and moved to INSTAAR at the University of Colorado in 2010.