The Wet Areas Mapping (WAM) layer is the culmination of years of work by the University of New Brunswick, working with and on behalf of industry and different levels of government (see a full list of partners below). It predicts the depth-to-watertable using elevation (DEM) data, mapped and unmapped streams, water features and wetlands, and data collected and contributed by the partners.

The original product was a 100 m2 raster layer, with the depth-to-watertable in centimetres. Depth classes were subsequently defined, and a vector layer produced which is available for download below.

While the modelled values are ostensibly the depth-to-watertable, they are treated in practice as a meaningful and useful indication of unmapped flow channels and wet areas which may be seasonally sensitive to resource extraction or other operations. Whether it accurately predicts the actual depth-to-watertable remains to be proven.

The flow accumulation channels layer was generated as a byproduct of the project. It is a line layer for predicted/unmapped/ephemeral streams (surface and subsurface drainage) in Nova Scotia. The predicted line features mimic mapped stream paths, and extend beyond the mapped endpoints to include unmapped channels.

The WAM project was completed under contract by the Nexfor/Bowater Forest Watershed Research Centre at the University of New Brunswick. Contributing partners to the WAM project are:

• Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources
• Bowater Mersey Paper
• J.D. Irving Ltd.
• Neenah Paper
• Stora Enso Port Hawkesbury
• Nova Forest Alliance
• Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
• Parks Canada
• Service Nova Scotia Environment and Labour

Need A Map Viewer? ...
In order to view our digital files on your computer, you require mapping software (e. g. ArcView®, MapInfo®, AutoCAD®). If you do not have this software, ESRI* provides a FREE Map Viewer called ArcExplorer® which you can download over the Internet. ArcExplorer® works with our *.shp files.

Download ArcExplorer® Here!

Downloading Instructions

To download the self-extracting archive (*.exe), place the cursor over the area of interest in the map below and click. Alternatively, place the cursor over the county name hyperlink below the map and click. Save the file to the desired location on your hard drive. Execute the downloaded file on your local computer to decompress the shapefiles - you will be offered the opportunity to select an output folder. You must be using Microsoft Windows. DNR accepts no liability for any errors or deficiencies on this map.

View WAM metadata (detailed information about the WAM layer for a sample county)

Download flow accumulation data
View flow accumulation channels metadata

Projection: NAD 1983 CSRS98 UTM Zone 20N

Self-extracting archive contents:

WAM:

• wtbl.lyr - ArcGIS 9.2 layer file
• wtbl.avl - ArcView 3.x legend file
• wtbl.shp.xml - Metadata file viewable in ArcCatalog or Internet Explorer (allow active content)

Flow accumulation channels:

• ns_floacc.shp (flow accumulation shapefile for all of Nova Scotia)
• ns_floacc.shp.xml - Metadata file

Please select the county of interest:

Antigonish	Guyborough	Lunenburg	Shelburne
Annapolis	Hants	Pictou	Victoria
Colchester	Kings	Queens	Yarmouth
Cape Breton	Inverness	Richmond
Cumberland	Halifax East	St. Marys
Digby	Halifax West	Sable I