GDW curates and hosts three leading global dam databases, and provides summary information and links to many additional global, regional and national datasets
GDW’s Core Datasets
Each of the three core datasets has been developed over many years with a particular focus and methodology. The Global Geo-referenced Database of Dams (GOODD) maps all dams visible on Google Earth satellite imagery globally; it catalogues the geospatial coordinates of 38,660 dams. The Global Reservoir and Dam Database (GRanD) maps the location and attribute data of 7,320 dams greater than 15m in height or with a reservoir of more than 0.1km3. Future Hydropower Reservoirs and Dams (FHReD) maps 3,700 dams that are under construction or in advanced planning stages. Together, these three datasets represent the most detailed, freely available global database of dams and georeferenced information about global dams.
Currently, some overlaps exist between the datasets. For example, large dams mapped by GRanD may also exist in GOODD, though the GOODD dam points are location-only and do not carry the attribute data found in GRanD. Dams that were under construction before 2015 may have been captured by FHReD; those that have been completed since may also be reflected as completed and operational in GRanD or GOODD, though again without attribute data. Our future efforts are focused on harmonizing these three datasets so that researchers can either use them independently or in combination with all overlaps attributed for and easily filtered out.
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GDW’s Global Dam and Reservoir Datasets
| Dataset | Year published | # Records | Size of Dam | Sources | Methods | Attributes | Geo-referenced | Aligned to global river network | License | Distribution |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GOODD | 2015 | 38,660 | Medium to large | Google Earth | Manually Digitized | Coordinates | Yes | No | -- | Access data using this GEODATA user feedback form |
| GOODD | 2020 | 38,667 | Medium to large | Google Earth | Manually Digitized | Coordinates | Yes | Yes | -- | Access data using this GEODATA user feedback form |
| GOODD Watersheds | 2020 | 35,315 | -- | WaterWorld V1 | -- | -- | Yes | -- | -- | Access data using this GEODATA user feedback form |
| GRanD | v1.3 – 2019 v1.1 – 2011 | v1.3 – 7,320 v1.1 – 6862 | Large (≥0.1km3) | Databases that provide freely available dam data, research articles, grey literature, internet | Manual inspection and validation of all records | Multiple | Yes | Yes | Free for non-commercial use | Download v1.3 Download v1.1 |
| FHReD | 2015 | 3,700 | ≥ 1MW | Databases that provide freely available dam data, research articles, grey literature, internet | Manual inspection and validation of all records | Multiple | Yes | No | -- | Download FHReD |
External Datasets
Here we provide a curated list of other dam databases that are available online. These datasets are not incorporated into the GDW data except where listed explicitly in the description of the dataset.
This list grows as new data is made available. We welcome contributions from researchers who work at regional and global scales.
Global Dam and Reservoir Datasets from External Sources
| Dataset | Year published | # Records | Size of Dam | Sources | Methods | Attributes | Geo-referenced | Aligned to HydroSHEDS | License | Distribution |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ICOLD | 1958 – 2018 | 59,071 | ≥ 15m, or 5-15m with reservoir ≥0.03km3 | Submitted by member countries | Varies by country | Multiple | No | No | See ICOLD | Purchase access to online database at ICOLD |
| FAO AQUASTAT | 2014 | 14,500 | Medium to large | Country-based reporting | Gathered during country update processes | Multiple | Partial | No | See User Agreement | Access database at AQUASTAT website |
| OpenStreetMap Dams | 2017 | 54,308 | -- | Global dam data based on OSM tags | Downloaded Mulligan Dec. 2017 | Multiple | Yes | No | Open data, licensed under the Open Data Commons Open Database License, © OpenStreetMap contributors | Access data using this GEODATA user feedback form |
Regional Dam and Reservoir Datasets from External Sources
| Dataset | Year published | # Records | Size of Dam | Sources | Methods | Attributes | Geo-referenced | Aligned to HydroSHEDS | License | Distribution |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AMBER Atlas – Europe | 2020 | 630,000 | Small to large | Institutional registries (national, regional, EU and worldwide) | Data gathered and submitted by institutions | Multiple | Yes | No | Free to download | Access web-based maps and barrier data at the Amber Barrier Atlas |
| United States National Inventory of Dams | 2016 | 90,580 | Small to large | State registries | Data gathered and submitted by states | Multiple | Yes | No | See National Inventory of Dams | Access web-based maps and statistics at National Inventory of Dams |
| United States National Anthropogenic Barrier Database | 2012 | 52,456 | Small to large | United States National Inventory of Dams | Cleaned and aligned to NHDPlus/NHD | Multiple | Yes | No | -- | Download file at USGS |
| MARS European Dams | 2016 | 5,043 | ≥ 10m | ECRINS v1.1, ICOLD | -- | Multiple | Yes | No | -- | Download as part of larger geodatabase at MARS Project |
| South Africa List of Registered Dams | 2018 | 5,528 | Reservoirs ≥ 50,000 m3 and dam height ≥ 5m | Individual registration in accordance with Dam Safety Legislation | -- | Multiple | Yes | No | Public domain | Download the database at Republic of South Africa Water and Sanitation Department |
| Large Dams in Canada | 2003 | 933 | Medium to large | Canadian Dam Association | -- | Multiple | Yes | No | -- | Available on request at Canadian Dam Association |
| Japanese Dam Finder | 2018 | -- | -- | Data c/o Japan Dam Foundation | -- | Multiple | Yes | No | See Japanese Dam Finder | Access online visualization at Japanese Dam Finder |
| Greater Mekong Dams Observatory | -- | 805 | Reservoirs ≥ 0.5 km2 and hydropower dams ≥ 15MW | -- | -- | Multiple | Yes | No | -- | Available on request at Greater Mekong Dams Observatory |
| Volta Basin Dams | 2016 | 1204 | -- | Various satellite imagery sources | Manually digitized | Location | Yes | No | Free for non-commercial use | Access data using this GEODATA user feedback form |
| Irrigation presence-absence at Volta basin dams | 2019 | 1200 | -- | Various satellite imagery sources | Manually digitized | Multiple | Yes | No | Free for non-commercial use | Download data from Harvard Dataverse |
| Brazil Dams Safety Report | 2017 | 24,097 | Small to large | State registries | Data gathered and submitted by states | Multiple | Yes | No | -- | Download the database and associated report at Sistema Nacional de Informações sobre Segurança de Barragens |
| Myanmar Dams | 2018 | 254 | Medium to large | International Finance Corporation, Water Land and Ecosystems | Merged two independent dam datasets | Multiple | Yes | No | CC-BY-SA.4.0 | Download the database at Open Development Mekong |
| Hydropower and Irrigation Dams in Turkey | 2019 | -- | Small to large | Ministry of Forestry and Water Affairs | -- | Multiple | Yes | No | -- | Access the data at the Ministry's GeoData Application |
| Dataset of Georeferenced Dams in South America | 2021 | 1,010 | Medium to large | State records | Data gathered and manually digitized | Multiple | Yes | Yes | CC BY 4.0 | Access the data at ESSD |