Surface Water Assessment and Mapping Project (SWAMP)

The Surface Water Assessment and Mapping Project (SWAMP) was developed to address gaps in provincial water data by creating a GIS-based, predictive model for surface water resources. The model uses LiDAR, digital elevation models, and high-resolution imagery to delineate surface water location, depth to near-surface water, and flow characteristics. Outputs include digitized water bodies, stream orders, flow accumulation indices, and wetness indices that can guide access road and pipeline planning. Supporting documents, including process documentation and a presentation, were provided to COSIA, though the automated tool itself is still being refined.

The project results demonstrate that SWAMP accurately predicts and maps small, previously unmapped streams and provides a reliable inventory of existing stream crossings. Its outputs support ecological integrity, operational planning, and financial efficiency by minimizing impacts to hydrology, reducing regulatory delays, and lowering maintenance and liability costs. The model enables managers to optimize access routes, reduce stream crossings, and apply best practices consistently across regions with industrial activity. In addition, SWAMP establishes a strong baseline dataset for monitoring drainage patterns and assessing long-term development impacts.