Waterplanes - version 1.2

Watervlakken 1.2 is a georeferenced digital file of standing surface waters in Flanders. The file, built up by combining existing topographic map layers, orthophoto images, the digital terrain model Flanders version II and to a limited extent field work, contains 93,135 polygons with a size between 1.45 m2 and 2.47 km2 and can be considered as the most complete representation of stagnant 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 where the distribution and characteristics of stagnant waters play a role. ‘Watervlakken’ also provides a unique reference for further data management on 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. In addition, the entire dune region was overhauled to include the most recent refurbishments. As a result, the province of West Flanders has now been completely overhauled since version 1.0. The renovated lofts in Watervlakken 1.1 and Watervlakken 1.2 together cover 57% of the surface of Flanders. On average, six water surfaces were redesigned or modified per reconditioned loft in Watervlakken 1.2. Compared to version 1.1, 5,429 new water surfaces were added, mainly new ponds, garden ponds and swimming ponds. The shape of 948 water surfaces was adjusted on the basis of the most recent orthophotos (Information Flanders 2019, 2020). These are due both to effective changes on the ground (reconstructed banks and lakes and effects of long-term changes in water levels) and to corrections of previous digitisations. Furthermore, 1,007 water surfaces were removed that have disappeared from the landscape due to damping or other redesigns.