Global Lake and Reservoir Surface Water Extent Time Series

Several hundred global lakes and reservoirs are monitored for surface water dynamics using MODIS satellite data from roughly 2000 to present. The dataset provides an 8-day temporal resolution and 500-meter spatial resolution time series of water extent masks. It is designed to support long-term trend analysis and modeling of human impact on the global water cycle.

Use Cases

• Analyzing long-term trends in lake and reservoir surface area based on a ~20-year satellite record.
• Modeling global water dynamics and storage fluxes using 8-day resolution water extent data.
• Assessing human impact on freshwater resources through changes in inland water extent over time.
• Familiarizing hydrological users with satellite data formats and quality flagging before the SWOT mission launch.

Strengths

• Provides a long-term record spanning approximately 20 years, from roughly 2000 to present.
• Offers consistent global coverage for several hundred inland water bodies.
• Features a defined temporal resolution of 8 days and a spatial resolution of 500 meters.

Limitations

• Column names and specific data structure are not provided in the available metadata.
• There is a conflict in the 'last updated' metadata, with dates ranging from 2016 to 2026.
• Data quality is subject to periods of low-quality input from the source MODIS instruments.

Provenance

Source

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Collection Method

Derived from MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) satellite instruments.

Time Range

Roughly 2000 to present

Freshness

2026-04-09 23:06:26.540547

Geography

Global coverage of lakes and reservoirs