# OS MasterMap Water Network Layer Overview

{% hint style="warning" %}

#### Product has reached its End of Life (withdrawal) date

The OS MasterMap Water Network Layer product (also referred to as OS MasterMap Networks – Water Layer) reached its End of Life on **31 March 2026**. As of this date, Ordnance Survey ceased to maintain or publish updates to the product, and access to the product was removed from the OS Data Hub, OS Features API and OS Vector Tile API.&#x20;

Supporting product documentation will be removed from this site 12 months after this date, when access to existing data packages in the OS Data Hub is no longer available. Full details, including migration information and FAQs, are available on the [OS MasterMap Water Network Layer End of Life information page](https://docs.os.uk/os-downloads/resources/product-resources/end-of-life-product-documentation/os-mastermap-water-network-layer/end-of-life-notice-os-mastermap-water-network-layer).
{% endhint %}

OS MasterMap Water Network Layer is a three-dimensional digital representation of Great Britain's watercourses. The product includes rivers, streams, lakes, lochs and canals as a series of watercourse network lines. The network lines (links) are attributed to provide a range of information about the section of watercourse they depict. OS MasterMap Water Network Layer will significantly enhance systems used to manage waterways and rivers and the flood risk they pose.

<figure><img src="https://1897589978-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FcNpJpLP8RROUaWVQo5ea%2Fuploads%2FeGcfSSsciqnxuHEH3ddN%2F1.png?alt=media" alt="Example extract from OS MasterMap Water Network Layer showing one big river and several tributaries/smaller rivers running into it. The WatercourseLink (blue solid lines) features and HydroNode features (small white circle with a blue solid outline) are shown on top of every watercourse." width="541"><figcaption><p><em>Example extract from OS MasterMap Water Network Layer showing WatercourseLink and HydroNode features.</em></p></figcaption></figure>

Watercourses that are underground or below structures are included where Ordnance Survey capture processes or accepted sources can infer the connection.

Polygons and lines representing the water area and its banks are not supplied in this product but will continue to be maintained and supplied as part of the OS MasterMap Topography Layer product.

OS MasterMap Water Network Layer is provided with three-dimensional coordinates.

## Key features of the product <a href="#id-1.1-key-features-of-the-product" id="id-1.1-key-features-of-the-product"></a>

The OS MasterMap Water Network Layer product includes the following key features:

* Flow and connectivity.
* Three-dimensional geometry.
* Catchment information including name.
* The names of watercourses, including language alternatives.
* Vertical relationships where water courses pass over or under one other.
* Average widths.
* Additional information provided by national authorities.

## Product applications <a href="#id-1.2-product-applications" id="id-1.2-product-applications"></a>

OS MasterMap Water Network Layer supports a wide range of customer applications that use geographic information. The product can be used alone or in combination with other Ordnance Survey products, such as [OS MasterMap Topography Layer](https://docs.os.uk/os-downloads/products/maps-and-imagery-portfolio/os-mastermap-topography-layer), [OS MasterMap Imagery Layer](https://docs.os.uk/os-downloads/products/maps-and-imagery-portfolio/os-mastermap-imagery-layer) and [OS Terrain 5](https://docs.os.uk/os-downloads/products/land-and-terrain-portfolio/os-terrain-5).

The OS MasterMap Water Network Layer product can be used for applications such as:

* Understanding flood risk
* Flood risk mitigation planning
* Flood response planning and execution
* Detailed flood modelling for insurance and land and property
* Environmental impact analysis
* Tracking water flows and any contamination
* Asset management and protection
* The management of statutory directives relating to watercourses
* Ecology studies, for example, species migration
* Analytics and visual interpretation, particularly when used in combination with other Ordnance Survey products, for example, [OS Terrain 5](https://docs.os.uk/os-downloads/products/land-and-terrain-portfolio/os-terrain-5)

## Index

This overview includes the following sections:

* [Feature types in the product](https://docs.os.uk/os-downloads/resources/product-resources/end-of-life-product-documentation/os-mastermap-water-network-layer/os-mastermap-water-network-layer-overview/feature-types-in-the-product)
* [Standards and CRS](https://docs.os.uk/os-downloads/resources/product-resources/end-of-life-product-documentation/os-mastermap-water-network-layer/os-mastermap-water-network-layer-overview/standards-and-crs)
* [Product supply](https://docs.os.uk/os-downloads/resources/product-resources/end-of-life-product-documentation/os-mastermap-water-network-layer/os-mastermap-water-network-layer-overview/product-supply)


---

# Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation

If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter:

```
GET https://docs.os.uk/os-downloads/resources/product-resources/end-of-life-product-documentation/os-mastermap-water-network-layer/os-mastermap-water-network-layer-overview.md?ask=<question>
```

The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.
