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CHS NON-NAvigational (CHS NONNA) Bathymetric Data Update and Release

Image showing CHS NONNA data coverage area and comparison between 10 and 100 metre resolution.

Figure: CHS NONNA Packages.

Canada is a coastal nation. From the depths of our vast oceans to the shallows of our Great Lakes, our connection to the marine environment defines us.

From scientific research to commercial applications and beyond, knowledge of the seafloor is needed for many reasons. That is why the Canadian Hydrographic Service (CHS) is committed to collecting and sharing quality bathymetric data – the information used to chart our underwater features and their depths.

Our last release saw the addition of the new CHS NONNA-10 products, a consolidation of digital bathymetric sources managed by the CHS with 10-metre resolution data. CHS NONNA-10 products provided a ten-fold improvement over their predecessor, the CHS NONNA-100 products. Beyond the higher resolution, we introduced a new web-based portal to host the data, making it easier than ever to find the datasets needed for non-navigational purposes.

Today, CHS presents the next step forward for sharing non-navigational bathymetric data…

CHS NONNA Version 3.0

Through continuous user feedback, the CHS has actioned and implemented major user suggestions. Though many of the improvements we've made occurred “behind the scenes”, users will notice two major new improvements. First is the migration of all the CHS NONNA-10 and CHS NONNA-100 products to chart datum! The second is the development of a package layer which allows users to select and download large geographic areas much more efficiently and with less effort than in previous versions.

Enhancements have also been made to the Web Map Services (WMS) and Web Coverage (WCS) CHS NONNA services, which has necessitated migrating to a new server. These services can now be accessed through the following URLs:

The CHS NONNA Data Portal provides improved accessibility to non-navigational hydrographic data for scientific activities like:

  • geographical planning for resource exploration, infrastructure and industry considerations;
  • identification and mapping of environmentally sensitive areas and improving protections for species at risk;
  • numerical modelling to simulate habitat mapping or nutrient and sediment transport;
  • policy and program development for a wide variety of marine-related activities; and
  • broader scientific research concerning ecology, climate change mitigation, geomorphology, and more.

The CHS NONNA data remains accessible free of charge both to view or download via the CHS NONNA Data Portal. The non-navigational bathymetry products are available to anyone interested in Canada's marine space. Visit the Government of Canada's Open Data site to access the products and provide feedback on how you are using them.

The future of hydrography is digital and CHS is proud to be leading the way!

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