K1 and K2 DESCRIPTION:

The global Simulated Topological Network at 30-minute spatial resolution (STN--30) represents rivers as a set of spatial and tabular data layers derived from a 30-minute flow-direction grid. This dataset includes many different attributes (i.e., basin area, length, distance to river mouth, etc.). These datasets represents an update of Vörösmarty et al. (2000a, b) using methods developed in Fekete et al. (2001). See Additional Link for a description and download of attributes for the global potential network.

The preview files show flow direction for potentially flowing river networks as well as the actively flowing networks (threshold > 3mm/yr upstream average runoff, Vörösmarty and Meybeck., 2004).

DOWNLOADABLE FILES:

(K1) globalrivers_30min_potential.asc = gridded flow direction of rivers at 30-min (latitude by longitude) resolution. Primary source: Vörösmarty et al. (2000a,b).

(K2) globalrivers_30min_active.asc = gridded flow direction of rivers at 30-min (latitude by longitude) resolution. Primary source: Vörösmarty et al. (2000a,b).

REFERENCES:

Fekete, B. M., C. J. Vörösmarty, and R. B. Lammers. 2001. Scaling gridded river networks for macroscale hydrology: Development, analysis and control of error, Water Resources Research, 3 (77): 1955-1967.

Vörösmarty, C.J. and M. Meybeck. 2004. Responses of continental aquatic systems at the global scale: New paradigms, new methods. In: P. Kabat, M. Claussen, P.A. Dirmeyer, J.H.C. Gash, L. Bravo de Guenni, M. Meybeck, R.A. Pielke Sr., C.J. Vörösmarty, R.W.A. Hutjes, and S. Lutkemeier (eds.), Vegetation, Water, Humans and the Climate. Springer, Heidelberg, pp. 375-413.

Vörösmarty, C.J., B. M. Fekete, M. Meybeck, and R. Lammers. 2000a. Geomorphometric attributes of the global system of rivers at 30-minute spatial resolution (STN-30). Journal of Hydrology 237: 17-39.

Vörösmarty, C.J., B.M. Fekete, M. Meybeck, and R. Lammers. 2000b. A simulated topological network representing the global system of rivers at 30-minute spatial resolution (STN-30). Global Biogeochemical Cycles 14: 599-621.

Additional Links:

UNH Simulated Topological Network for the Global System of Rivers