Alberta Water Data Module

In partnership with the Alberta Water Research Institute, we're creating a new Alberta Water Data Module that will provide free and open access to over 1,000 different sources of water data and information. We're starting with this initial version, and over the next year, we will be expanding the number and diversity of data sources, as well as the functionality and features of the Module.

The Alberta Water Research Institute and the WaterPortal project believe they can play a key role as a catalyst to make existing water data and information more accessible. It is our intention to do this in partnership with others already engaged in such activities. We are working closely with federal, provincial and local municipal government departments and agencies, as well as industry, educational and research institutes, and other water management and stewardship organizations to bring about this access in a way that adds value and is complimentary to the work many are pursuing.

The data that is currently available in the Module reflects only a small portion of all the data sources that we are working on to make available. These sources include water research, publications, recreational information, near real-time and historical water data, maps, educational and conference resource materials, images and videos. Many of these data sources have been spatially linked to a location, offering a new and innovative way to search for water data and information.  We welcome your comments and feedback to help us improve the Module, and appreciate your patience as we test and refine the beta version.

If you don't see what you're looking for, or have some Alberta water related data, information or research that you (or your organization) would like to share, please be sure to contact us (and we'll be very glad to include it in the Alberta Water Data Module).

Click here... to try the Alberta Water Data Module.

Some Helpful Tips on Using the Alberta Water Data Module

The Module works on both PC and Macintosh systems that are connected to a high speed internet connection. The Module works best using web browsers such as Firefox (Version 3.0 or higher), Google Chrome or Safari (Version 4.0 or higher), but also works fine using Internet Explorer (Version 8.0 or higher). You will also need both Java and Flash enabled on your computer.

The Module is being continually upgraded over the next year, and as such there maybe brief periods where some of the features or functionality may not work or be responsive. In addition, not all Alberta Environment water monitoring stations are operational throughout the year (this is especially the case during winter months).  Do not be discouraged, and please come back and try the Module again at a later time (and let us know of any bugs, errors or malfunctions that you experience...it will help us make the Module all that much better for our users).

The Module is made up of five (5) different components:  (i) Top Control Bar  (ii) Main Map/Viewing Panel  (iii) Spatial Data Catalogue (right side panel)  (iv) Search for Data (left side panel) and  (v) Search Results (bottom panel). Note: both the right and left panels can be hidden (when you don't need to use them, and to enlarge the viewing area of the map) by clicking on the button located on the border of each panel.

The image below provides an illustrative sample of a search for: Realtime Data - By Spatial Location - By Click - Athabasca (50km radius)

TOP CONTROL BAR

The top control bar allows the user to easily manage the viewing area of the map, and offers the following controls:

• shift/move the map view (up, down, left, right)
• zoom in/out (+/-)
• shift/move the map view (manually)
• measure distances (click on a starting point, then drag the mouse, and double click on the end point)
• zoom (by drawing a box around an area/region, you want to zoom into)

RIGHT SIDE PANEL (Spatial Data Catalogue)

You can simply turn various GIS Layers of data on/off to change the view of the map.

We suggest you begin with Background Services – click the DETAILS box – and try changing the background of the map by selecting:

• Google Map
• Google Terrain
• Google Hybrid
• Google Imagery

Then, click the DETAILS box again, to hide the pop up window for Background Services.

The WMS-Toporama Service is comprised of different topographic data stores, and is offered under 16 layers of information, grouped by type, under different scales such as:

• CanVec files at the scale 1:50,000
• National Topographical Data Base at the scale of 1:250,000
• Atlas of Canada topographic data at a scale of 1:1,000,000

Click the DETAILS box - to toggle on/off the 16 various data layers: Limits, Vegetation, Built-up areas, Designated areas, Hydrography, Hypsography, Water saturated soils, Landforms, Constructions, Water features, Road network, Railway, Populated places, Structures, Power network, and Feature names. Then, click the DETAILS box again, to hide the pop up window for the WMS-Toporama Service. Click here…to learn more about the WMS-Toporama Service.

The Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Administration (PFRA) Watershed Boundaries consists of hydrometric gauging stations and watershed boundaries, tabulated gross and effective drainage areas, and digital products generated for use in hydrological mapping and analysis. Click the DETAILS box - to toggle on/off the various data layers. Then, click the DETAILS box again, to hide the pop up window for the (PFRA) Watershed Boundaries. Click here…to learn more about Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's PFRA Watershed Boundaries.

Note: Don't forget to close/hide this panel when you're finished (by clicking on the button located in the center of the left border of the panel), so that you can enlarge the viewing area of the map.

LEFT SIDE PANEL (Search for Data)

Now, you can begin searching for available water data, information and research (by simply clicking your responses to the following questions)!

1. What would you like to find?

* Water Information

* Realtime River Flow/Level Data

Option: You can also search to find the "location" of any municipality or basin in the province.

2. How would you like to search for it?

* By Spatial Location (ie: by Address or Postal Code, ATS Location, Lat/Long, by "Clicking" on a location on the map, or by the name of the place)

* By Keyword (search by topic or keyword)

3. Specify your Keywords / Specify your Search Method?

If you have selected to search "By Keyword" in Question #2 above, then you will be asked to type in your keyword(s) and hit the GO button.

If you have selected to search "By Spatial Location" in Question #2 above, then you will be asked to select which location-based search method you would like to use:

* By Address (or Postal Code)

* By ATS Location (Alberta Township System location; includes - Section, Township, Range, and Meridian)

* By Latitude and Longitude

* By Click (by "Clicking" on a location on the map)

Tip: Try the option "By Click" ...you can simply click on a location on the map (its one of our favorite options).

If you select the "By Click" option...you will need to: (i) ZOOM the map into the location that you wish to search; (ii) you'll need to select the range of your search radius (we suggest going with a relatively wide radius); (iii) you will need to hit the "PICK A POINT" button; (iv) then CLICK your mouse on the location (the lat/long coordinates should then appear)...and then hit the GO button!

* By Placename (by typing in the name of the place you're are searching for)

BOTTOM PANEL (Search Results)

All of your search results will appear in the bottom panel of the Module. Each of the SEARCH RESULTS will have a (+) indicator next to it, and if you click this indicator, you will be able to view additional background and meta information on that search result, including:

• Data Description (data source, date, etc)
• Body of Water (Basin, Rivers, local watersheds)
• Abstract of the Information (brief description)
• Key Words (select key words, including the applicable Alberta Land Use Region)
• Location (local Municipalities, Counties, Municipal Districts, etc)

Please Read Before Proceeding:
Users should use the information accessed from this website with caution and do so at their own risk. The Alberta WaterPortal project and the Alberta Water Research Institute accepts no liability for the accuracy, availability, suitability, reliability, usability, completeness or timeliness of the data or graphical depictions rendered from the data. Some of the data are preliminary and have been transmitted automatically without verification or review for quality assurance. Subsequent quality assurance and verification procedures may result in differences between what is currently displayed and what may become the official record. It is the responsibility of all persons who use this site to independently confirm the accuracy of the data, information, or results obtained through its use. The Alberta WaterPortal project and the Alberta Water Research Institute does not warrant the quality, accuracy, or completeness of any information, data or product from these web pages. It is provided 'AS IS' without warranty or condition of any nature. The Alberta WaterPortal project and the Alberta Water Research Institute disclaims all other warranties, either expressed or implied, including but not limited to implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose, with respect to the information, data, product or accompanying materials retrieved from this web site. Information presented on this web site is considered public information and may be distributed or copied.

Your proceeding beyond this Disclaimer will constitute your acceptance of the terms and conditions outlined above.

Click here... to try the Alberta Water Data Module.

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