Rapid Response Maps for Floods within this Surface Water Record Map Sheet
Explanation
The rapid response maps are produced mainly from NASA MODIS data but also from other sources when available. The shaded relief backgrounds illustrates topography provided by the NASA SRTM data or from older data sets (e.g. GTOPO). NASA's MODIS sensors provide always-on coverage of the Earth's surface at a maximum spatial resolution of 250 m. Coverage is thus not very detailed, but this remote sensing is often the first available after a major disaster; and is also the best choice for rapid location of affected areas or for flood mapping over large areas.
These data are processed at the Observatory to provide consistent water/land classification and boundaries. The data are then ingested into GIS (geographical information system) software. The GIS water area outlines (in .shp and other standard formats can be accessed by end users in an (under construction) ftp directory at http://floodobservatory.colorado.edu/GISdata/
GIS data and all map graphics are both online publications of the Dartmouth Flood Observatory, G. R. Brakenridge, 2011 (or older authors and dates as shown on the maps). Unrestricted use. Please cite this source.