Geospatial and biological data that document the impacts of the Big Bar Landslide in the Fraser River, British Columbia, Canada

This dataset documents the geomorphological and biological impacts of the Big Bar Landslide, which occurred on November 1, 2018, in the Fraser River at French Bar Canyon, British Columbia, Canada. The dataset spans from October 2018 to March 2024 and includes high-resolution geospatial and ecological data used to assess changes to river morphology, salmon migration patterns, and hydrodynamic conditions following the landslide. We provide: Topographic and bathymetric data, including lidar surveys (2018–2022), pre- and post-landslide bathymetry, and elevation difference maps; hydrodynamic data, such as surface velocity fields derived from drone imagery and ADCP velocity profiles; ecological data related to salmon migration, including radio-tag tracking information, spawning ground maps, and extirpation risk assessments for Early Stuart Sockeye; hydrological data, including discharge and hydrographs from Water Survey of Canada gauging stations; and satellite and aerial imagery, featuring orthoimages and multi-source satellite coverage of the landslide zone. The data are provided in a range of formats and are referenced to the NAD83 (CSRS) UTM Zone 10 coordinate system, with elevations relative to the CGVD2013a vertical datum. This archive was compiled through collaborative efforts led by Simon Fraser University, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, and the Hakai Institute with funding and support from multiple Canadian research and conservation initiatives, including BCSRIF, NSERC, and the Hakai Institute. It serves as a critical resource for researchers and decision-makers assessing river hazards, fish passage barriers, and ecosystem restoration strategies.