Water surfaces — version 1.2

Watervlakken 1.2 is a theoretical digital file of stagnant surface waters in Flanders. The file, built up by combination of existing topographic chart layers, orthophoto images, the digital terrain model Flanders version II and to a limited extent fieldwork, comprises 93,135 polygons with a size between 1.45 m² and 2.47 km² and can be considered the most complete representation of still waters currently available for the Flemish territory. In this sense, it can be used for a wide range of applications in research, policy preparation and implementation, management planning and evaluation in which the diffusion and characteristics of stagnant waters play a role. ‘Water surfaces’ shall also provide a unique reference for the further data management of such water bodies. For version 1.2, 843 2 x 2 kilometre lofts were systematically overhauled, mainly located in West Flanders, East Flanders and Limburg. The entire dune region was also reconditioned to include the most recent refurbishments. The province of West Flanders has now been completely overhauled since version 1.0. The remanufactured lofts in water plains 1.1 and water plains 1.2 account for 57 % of the surface area of Flanders. On average, each overhauled loft in water surfaces 1.2 six water planes were drawn up or modified in shape. Compared to version 1.1, 5,429 new water surfaces were added, mainly newly constructed pools, garden ponds and swimming ponds. The shape was adapted from 948 water plains based on the most recent orthophotos (Information Flanders 2019, 2020). These are both due to effective on-site changes (reconstructed banks and puddles and effects of long-term changes in water levels), as well as corrections from previous digitisations. Furthermore, 1,007 water surfaces were removed that have disappeared from the landscape due to damping or other refurbishments.