Download: Geofabric Surface Cartography (FGDB, 1.3GB)

##### Abstract This downloadable dataset is part of the Australian Hydrological Geospatial Fabric (AHGF) also known as the Geofabric. The Geofabric Surface Hydrology Cartography product provides a set of related feature classes used to create consistent hydrological maps. It includes a geometric representation of major surface water features across Australia, excluding external territories. Most features are natural, such as rivers and lakes, but the product also includes some man-made elements like reservoirs, canals and other hydrographic structures. The dataset is fully topologically correct, meaning all stream segments flow in the correct direction. It includes fifteen feature types: Waterbody, Mapped Stream, Mapped Node, Mapped Connectivity (Upstream), Mapped Connectivity (Downstream), Sea, Estuary, Dam, Structure, Canal Line, Water Pipeline, Terrain Break Line, Hydro Point, Hydro Line and Hydro Area. Product Schema: [Visio-AHGF_GDB_SHCartography_Schema_V2_1_release.vsd] Data Dictionary: [ahgf_data_dictionary_surface_cartography_V2_1_release.pdf] Data Product Specifications: [ahgf_dps_surface_cartography_V2_1_release.pdf] ##### Currency Date modified: 2022 Modification frequency: As needed ##### Data extent Spatial extent North: -8.9° South: -44.0° East: 154.1° West: 112.8° ##### Source information Downloaded from the geofabric download page on the 17th of April 2025: [Downloads: Geofabric: Water Information: Bureau of Meteorology] ##### Lineage statement Geofabric Surface Cartography is part of a suite of products developed by the Australian Bureau of Meteorology. The source data for this product comes mainly from AusHydro V2, which includes Geoscience Australia"s national surface hydrology database. This database is based on selected features from regional surface hydrology datasets, mapped at a scale of 1:250,000. Additional regional features have been added to ensure important elements, such as flow paths, are included. Monitoring points from the Bureau’s Australian Water Resources Information System (AWRIS) are also part of the dataset. The product includes lines, points and polygons that represent both natural and man-made features, such as rivers, canals, lakes, dams, water pipelines and monitoring points. The natural watercourse layer forms a linear network with consistent topology, meaning stream segments are connected and flow in the correct direction. This network, along with key waterbodies, supports the creation of other Geofabric products, including Geofabric V3 SH_Network and SH_Catchment, as well as associated V3 1-second DEM-H and D8 grids. Each feature in the AusHydro V2 dataset has a unique identifier called AusHydro-ID. This identifier helps maintain the dataset and allows future integration of higher-resolution data. It also links to ANUDEM Derived Streams through a shared segment ID and ultimately connects to the National Catchments Boundaries (NCBs). To create this dataset, the AusHydro Surface Hydrology data is first loaded into the Geofabric development GIS environment. Feature classes are then restructured into composite hydrography datasets within the Geofabric Maintenance Geodatabase. These are assigned unique Hydro-IDs using ESRI ArcHydro for Surface Water (version 1.4.0.180 and ApFramework 3.1.0.84). Finally, the updated feature classes are transferred to the Geofabric Surface Cartography Feature Dataset within its dedicated geodatabase. The Digital Atlas of Australia team at Geoscience Australia has made minor geometry repairs to support online publication. They also updated cartographic elements such as visibility, labels and symbology to improve accessibility and performance. Contact Bureau of Meteorology, Community Services Group, [ahgf@bom.gov.au]