Hydrography90m: a new high-resolution global hydrographic dataset

Abstract. The geographic distribution of streams and rivers drives a multitude patterns processes in hydrology, geomorphology, geography, ecology. Therefore, hydrographic network that accurately delineates both small large rivers, along with their topographic topological properties, equal precision would be indispensable the earth sciences. Currently, available global hydrographies do not feature headwater great detail. However, these headwaters are vital because they estimated to contribute more than 70 % overall stream length. We aimed fill this gap by using MERIT Hydro digital elevation model at 3 arcsec (?90 m Equator) derive globally seamless, standardised network, “Hydrography90m”, corresponding information. A central is minimal upstream contributing area, i.e. flow accumulation, 0.05 km2 (or 5 ha) initiate channel, which allowed us extract channels By employing suite GRASS GIS hydrological modules, we calculated range-wide accumulation direction delineate total 1.6 million drainage basins extracted 726 unique segments sub-catchments. In addition, computed variables comprising slope, gradient, length, curvature attributes as well allow for routing various order classifications. validated spatial accuracy Hydrography90m against NHDPlus HR, an independent, national high-resolution dataset United States. Our validation shows newly developed has highest contains compared three other datasets. This comprehensive approach provides long-overdue baseline assessing actual streamflow opens new research avenues studies surface water worldwide. thus offers significant potential facilitate assessment freshwater quantity quality, inundation risk, biodiversity, conservation, resource management objectives manner. layers https://doi.org/10.18728/igb-fred-762.1 (Amatulli et al., 2022a), while can used directly standard applications, recommend seamless integration modules open-source QGIS software further customise data optimal utility from it.