The Water Resources Management Division utilizes
a Geographic Information System (GIS) in administering many of our
programs.
A GIS is a
specialized database system for storing and manipulating geographic
information. It is particularly well suited for environmental data since
almost all environmental data has a spatial component which can be used locate
the dataset in both space and time.
Using this spatial
component allows the Division to relate widely varying types of data into
a common frame of reference and show the results in a map format.
As various spatial datasets
are completed the Division will post the datasets and various
interpretative maps on our web site for use by other agencies and the
public.
Some of this data is available in Google Earth format. Google Earth is a
free program from Google that is essentially a browser for geographic data. Google Earth combines medium to high resolution satellite imagery, maps, and user supplied data files like Public Water Supply boundaries. The satellite imagery for the Province is mostly medium resolution LandSat but there are portions of high resolution imagery available. The program allows you to fly in from space to your neighborhood, tilt and rotate the view to see 3D terrain, save and share your searches and favorites and even add your own annotations.
Note: Google Earth is a high speed Internet, 3D application that not all computers can run. Windows-based desktop PCs older than four years may not be able to run Google Earth and Windows-based notebook PCs older than two years may not be able to run
it.
Public Water Supplies
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The province has
adopted a multi-barrier approach to ensure that its public water
systems deliver clean and safe water. The main components of the
multi-barrier approach are: source protection, water treatment, water
system operation and maintenance, water quality monitoring and
reporting, regulatory inspection and mitigation planning, and operator
education and training. The protection of public water supplies is an
important stage in the multi-barrier approach and the Division has
several products that show the locations of these supplies.
Canada-Newfoundland and
Labrador Agreements
Flood Risk Public
Information Maps
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The province, in cooperation with the
federal government, undertook hydrotechnical studies and mapping of
flood risk areas. The maps, completed for 38 communities, delineate
the flood risk zones for floods with a return period of 20 years (5%
chance in any year) and 100 years (1% chance in any year). These maps are used for public information,
municipal planning, development control, and the setting of structural
design criteria. All proposed developments in flood risk zones are
evaluated against potential impacts on water resources, the structures
themselves, and the surrounding areas. The public
information versions of the flood risk maps presented on these
pages are suitable for general reference only. More
detailed flood risk maps for use by municipal authorities, developers, planners,
consultants and other government agencies are
available in GIS format only.
Groundwater Quality Risk
Maps
Ambient Water Quality
Contour Maps
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In order to understand ambient water quality, it is very useful to
display data in a visual manner. Because environmental data is also
inherently spatial in nature (i.e. it varies geographically and due to
environmental conditions), viewing the data in a way which displays
this geographical variation is of particular use. For example, seeing
where different water quality parameters are higher in concentrations
can help explain causes and sources of contaminants. To this end,
contour maps of each of the water quality parameters sampled under the
Water Quality Management Agreement are available.
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