SouthEast Myanmar small waterway project

Introduction

On September 8, Typhoon Yagi triggered severe flooding and landslides across Myanmar, affecting over 69 townships in nine states and regions, including Bago, Kayah, Kayin, Magway, Mandalay, Mon, Nay Pyi Taw, and southern and eastern Shan. The flash floods caused numerous fatalities, and landslides buried many homes, particularly in Kalaw and Pinlaung Townships. Central Myanmar has been the hardest hit, with heavy monsoon rains and the remnants of the typhoon causing rivers and creeks from the hilly Shan State to overflow, resulting in significant damage to road networks, transportation systems, telecommunications, and electricity infrastructure.

These kinds of natural disasters are likely to occur more frequently due to global warming. Another contributing factor is deforestation caused by timber harvesting and land use changes such as agricultural expansion and land conversion. The lack of knowledge about maintaining natural water flows has led to altered stream and river courses, increasing the severity of flooding and landslides.

Mapping and improving waterway data, including streams and rivers, is crucial. This project serves as the first pilot initiative for myOSM’s waterway mapping efforts.

Objective

• To map streams and rivers and enhance waterway connectivity.
• To support humanitarian aid organizations operating in Myanmar.
• To provide an easy-to-understand workflow for waterway digitization, especially in southeastern Myanmar, where mountain ranges are located.

Methodology

• Mapping Website: HOT tasking manager as the mapping project site.
• Mapping Features: Rivers, streams, and canals visible on satellite imagery will be digitized as line features. Some rivers will have both line and polygon features.
• Imagery: Primarily ESRI imagery for feature mapping, with Bing imagery for verification and Mapbox imagery as an alternative.
• Validation: Conducted by myOSM using the HOT tasking manager and OSM standards.

Waterway Types & Tags:

• stream: A naturally-formed, narrow waterway that can typically be jumped over.
• river: A wide, natural watercourse flowing from a source to an ocean, sea, lake, or another river.
• canal: An artificial waterway used for transportation, waterpower, or irrigation.

Additional Attribute:

• seasonal = yes: Indicates a waterway with seasonal flow, typically flowing continuously for part of the year.
• source = ESRI, Bing, Local Knowledge (or other sources)

Mapping Waterways in Kalaw Township, Shan State, Myanmar

This project focuses on common waterways found in mountainous regions and how to best digitize them. Approaches may vary for central and coastal areas of Myanmar.

Overview of waterway flows in Kalaw Township, Shan State Myanmar. (OSM carto)

Overview of waterway flows in Kalaw Township, Shan State Myanmar.(Bing Satellite)

Common Waterway Features and Best Practices for Digitization

Example 01: Seasonal Waterways

• These waterways may dry up during the dry and winter seasons. Locals may use the dry riverbeds as transportation routes.
• Usage tags: waterway = stream
• Additional tags: seasonal = yes, source =*
  

  These waterways may dry up during the dry and winter seasons. Locals may use the dry riverbeds as transportation routes.

Example 2: Agricultural Waterways

• These waterways flow through agricultural fields and are marked by vegetation along the banks.
  

  These waterways flow through agricultural fields and are marked by vegetation along the banks.

Example 3: Perennial Waterways

• Always filled with water, especially near larger waterways or dams.
  

  Always filled with water, especially near larger waterways or dams.

Example 4: Converging Valleys

• Small valleys combine to form the main waterway. Only the main waterway should be digitized.
  

  Small valleys combine to form the main waterway. Only the main waterway should be digitized.

Example 5: Larger, Flatter Valleys

• Similar to converging valleys but with wider valleys. Digitize as a centerline.
  

  Similar to Example 4 but with wider valleys. Digitize as a centerline.

Example 6: Difficult-to-Detect Flow

• When the flow is hard to determine, digitize the main flowing waterway.
  

  When the flow is hard to determine, digitize the main flowing waterway.

Example 7: Large Rivers

• Easily recognizable and filled with water. Digitize as both line and polygon features.
• Usage tags: waterway = river, source =*
  

  Easily recognizable and filled with water. Digitize as both line and polygon features.

Example 8: Canals

• Waterways flowing from dams and used mainly for agriculture or electricity generation. Often artificially straight.
• Usage tags: waterway = canal, source =*
  

  Waterways flowing from dams and used mainly for agriculture or electricity generation. Often artificially straight.

Mapping Tips

Using JOSM at a metric scale level of 500m to 1000m makes it easier to spot waterways. In higher elevations, it may be more challenging to identify flows, so adjust the scale as needed. Many waterways are covered with overgrown vegetation or end in low-lying ponds or dams.

In JOSM scale level between 500-1000meter can easily spot waterway flow line.

Contribution

The project is primarily supported by myOSM members and online mappers.

Resources

• Waterways
• HOT tasking manager

• myOSM

Contact Info

For inquiries and to support, please contact: myOsm.mm@cde-regions.net, kyawzayarlinn95@gmail.com