DFO Flood Observatory Mission

For Research, Humanitarian, and Water Management Applications

The Flood Observatory’s mission is to:

Acquire and preserve a global digital record of Earth’s changing surface water

We maintain a publicly accessible digital archive documenting changes in surface water — including floods, droughts, wetlands, shorelines, lakes, and reservoirs. Surface water varies dramatically with seasons in regions such as monsoonal South Asia and the Arctic, and from year to year worldwide as major floods and droughts occur. Ongoing human activities — such as aquaculture expansion, dam construction, and agricultural water abstraction — are also reshaping surface water geography. Through DFO’s Online Atlas of the Earth’s Changing Surface Waters, these variations are monitored in near real time and permanently recorded for future reference.

Conduct near real-time water mapping and measurement for humanitarian response

The same satellite data used for research can provide immediate, practical value when made rapidly available. The Flood Observatory often produces the first comprehensive maps of major floods, delineating their full extent. As higher-resolution sensors are later tasked by other organizations, our early maps and underlying GIS files support relief agencies by enabling integration into their decision-support systems.

Support operational applications of satellite-based surface water information

Routine, global observation of surface water from orbit became feasible in the early 2000s, enabled by wide-area, frequent-repeat sensors such as MODIS and VIIRS, and by innovative use of passive microwave sensors (via the River Watch processor). As these long-term records accumulate, they allow present-day surface water conditions to be placed in the context of historical means and extremes — a vital step for both operational monitoring and water management.

Advance scientific research using remote sensing–based hydrologic data

The Observatory conducts ongoing research focused on microwave-based monitoring of river discharge variations, and on combining MODIS (optical) water extent data with microwave observations to better understand flood causation and risk reduction. Another focus area involves mapping storm surge flooding along vulnerable deltaic shorelines. Representative publications include studies in GSA Today (Pakistan), Earth Science Reviews (Myanmar), and Natural Hazards (coastal storm surge flooding).

Population growth and climate variability are increasing flood frequency, severity, and related societal impacts. Predicting future changes requires a clear understanding of current trends and rates of change. Since 2000, the Flood Observatory has worked to meet this observational need by using satellite data to monitor global surface water dynamics.

The Observatory also partners with operational water agencies to enhance technical capabilities and support their mission needs. We collaborate with relief organizations, emergency managers, insurers, and the media during major flood events. Because flood disasters are unpredictable, donations to the Flood Observatory’s Research Fund help sustain this unique, responsive global resource for future emergencies.