Water theme
The Water theme provides authoritative NSW data on surface water to help water security, planning, environmental management and emergency response.
What is the Water theme?
The Water theme brings together authoritative spatial information about the location, extent and movement of water across NSW.
The theme is built on hydrology, the study of how water moves through the landscape. As well as structures and reference points used to monitor and manage water systems, it includes:
- rivers
- creeks
- lakes
- coastlines
- other water features.
In NSW, the Water theme plays an important role in:
- water security
- flood and drought management
- environmental protection
- infrastructure and land use planning.
The theme supports consistent, evidence-based decisions across government and aligns with the national ANZLIC Foundation Spatial Data Framework. It works with datasets from other jurisdictions.
The data is maintained and published by DCS Spatial Services, providing a reliable, statewide foundation for policy, operations and digital services.
Data sourcing
The Water datasets were originally created by named gazetteers through NSW Government topographic mapping programs from the 1970s onwards. In 2011, the waterbody data, including natural and manmade dams, were spatially upgraded to be consistent with a national specification.
Water theme datasets are maintained by DCS Spatial Services and are compiled from a combination of:
- authoritative NSW Government custodians
- high‑resolution aerial imagery and elevation data.
Technical information
Water datasets are published with metadata and service standards that are recognised across Australia to support discovery, interoperability and reuse.
The datasets include the following standards:
- metadata compliant with AS/NZS ISO 19115, ISO 19115‑2, ISO 19139 and the ANZLIC Metadata Profile v1.1
- data products aligned with AS/NZS ISO 19131:2008
- services supported by OGC‑compliant WMS and WFS.
Data is released under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 (CC BY 4.0).
Datasets in the theme
What’s in the dataset?
NSW Hydro Line defines the centreline of watercourses such as:
- rivers
- creeks
- canals
- drains.
Each feature includes attributes such as flow direction, perennial classification and name where applicable.
Dataset uses
This data is used for:
- flood and catchment modelling
- emergency response and recovery
- water resource planning
- environmental monitoring.
Sourcing and updates
This data is maintained through ongoing stakeholder input and spatial verification supported by imagery and elevation data.
What’s in the dataset?
The Hydro Features dataset is a representation of waterbodies and watercourses, including lakes, wetlands and broader river extents.
The data are typically represented in point, line and area formats.
Features are classified as perennial, non‑perennial or mainly dry and consist of:
- waterbodies – natural and artificial
- watercourses – natural, canals and spillways.
Dataset uses
This data is used for:
- land‑use and environmental planning
- climate change and drought analysis
- water accounting and reporting.
Sourcing and updates
This data is maintained through ongoing stakeholder input and spatial verification supported by imagery and elevation data.
What’s in the dataset?
The NSW Named Water Course dataset represents each named watercourse as a single, continuous centreline created by aggregating Hydro Line features.
Dataset uses
This data is used for:
- consistent referencing of named rivers and creeks
- mapping, reporting and policy communication
- integration with Place Names data.
Sourcing and updates
The dataset is updated as required to reflect naming or spatial changes.
What’s in the dataset?
The NSW Coastline dataset defines the interface between land and sea, including mean high and mean low water marks, excluding estuarine shorelines.
Dataset uses
This data is used for:
- coastal planning and climate resilience
- emergency management
- maritime and environmental analysis.
Sourcing and updates
Maintained as required using imagery and elevation data.
What’s in the dataset?
Ancilliary Hydro Point features represent hydrological structures and reference locations such as:
- bores
- locks
- rapids
- springs
- tidal limit markers
- waterfalls
- regulators
- barriers
- river gauges.
Dataset uses
This data is used for:
- streamflow monitoring
- water infrastructure planning
- hydrological analysis
Sourcing and updates
Compiled by DCS Spatial Services and aligned with other foundation datasets. These data types are updated as required.
What’s in the dataset?
Fuzzy extent features define the approximate extent of formally named water features and are typically represented in line and area formats.
These features include:
- bays
- rivers
- seas.
Dataset uses
These datasets provide consistent referencing of dams, rivers and creeks for the various applications of this dataset.
Sourcing and updates
Compiled and maintained by DCS Spatial Services and aligned with other foundation datasets. These data types are updated as required.
How the Water theme supports spatial analysis
The Water theme supports integrated spatial analysis by connecting with other Foundation Spatial Data Framework themes, including:
- Elevation and Depth
- Place Names
- Transport.
The Water theme provides consistent, statewide coverage across NSW for use at local, regional and state levels. It supports planning for floods, drought and long-term climate impacts, and strengthens water security through a clearer understanding of waterways, water bodies and storage systems.
NSW water datasets contribute to initiatives such as the Australian Hydrological Geospatial Fabric, to provide consistent water information across Australia.
View the datasets
The NSW Spatial Collaboration Portal (SCP) gives everyone the ability to search and discover spatial datasets.
It also allows local, state, and federal agencies to deliver spatial data, asset management and visualisation services securely.