Serial water body maps for the Barotseland Region, Western Zambia

The dataset provides raster gridded estimates of open water and inundated vegetation for the Barotseland Region in Western Zambia. There are a total of 55 images covering the period 2016-2019 at a spatial resolution of 10m. The images were generated using an automatic classification routine applied to Sentinel-1 radar imagery, with classification refinements made using ancillary datasets such as the Global Urban Footprint, and the Height Above Nearest Drainage terrain derivative generated using SRTM digital elevation data. These data are valuable for a range of applications including public health and water resources. The dataset was created as part of the NERC funded FloodMal project. Classification outputs were validated using coincidental high resolution PlanetScope (4 m) optical imagery, supported by field campaigns in September 2018, May 2018 and March 2017, recording the presence and characteristics of water bodies. For further details please see supporting information.