Surface Water

Measures the presence and variability of surface water over time, using satellite-derived data from the Global Surface Water Explorer (GSWE).

availability

On Demand

Now

indicator tier

Silver

unit

Hectares (ha) or percentage of area (%) covered by surface water, typically reported as total, permanent, or seasonal extent.

spatial resolution

measurement frequency

measurement level

historic data availability

Forescast data availability

applicable crop types

applicable land type

No items found.

compliance frameworks

description

Quantifies where and how surface water (e.g. rivers, lakes, and wetlands) is distributed and how it changes seasonally or permanently. Developed by the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC) using Landsat imagery, it provides a long-term global record (1984–present) of surface water dynamics, essential for understanding hydrological change, flood patterns, and wetland loss.

methodology

Global Surface Water Explorer uses time-series analysis of Landsat satellite data at 30 m resolution to classify pixels as water or non-water for each observation period. The data are aggregated to compute frequency and duration of water presence, distinguishing between permanent and seasonal water bodies. Annual and monthly composites are produced to map trends in surface water extent and transitions over time.

validation