Canadian Hydrographic Service

What is hydrography?

Hydrography is the branch of applied sciences which deals with the measurement and description of the physical features of oceans, seas, coastal areas, lakes and rivers.

Canadian territorial waters cover 7.1 million square kilometres which is the equivalent of 77,646,544 football fields.

Accurate bathymetry and the prediction of the tides and water levels allow for safe navigation in support of other marine activities, including economic development, safety and security, scientific research and environmental protection.

Who conducts hydrographic surveys?

To map the seabed the Canadian Hydrographic Service uses various innovative technologies and survey platforms.

The primary tool for the acquisition of water depths is the Multibeam Echo-sounding System.

The Canadian Hydrographic Service, a branch of the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada's Science

Division conducts hydrographic surveys and creates nautical charts of Canadian waters.

Hydrographers measure water depth to shed light on the secrets that lurk beneath the waves of Canada's oceans, lakes and rivers revealing the potential hazards that would otherwise remain unknown.

One Cargo ship on the Great Lakes carries the equivalent of 964 transport trucks or 301 rail cars reducing congestion on our highways and rail lines. (source Highway H2O)

The Canadian Hydrographic Service manages a network of water level and tide gauges to support the provision of real-time observations and forecast information.

The hydrographic data collected by the Canadian Hydrographic Service is used to create a full range of products and services.

• Modern electronic charts
• Traditional paper charts
• Sailing Directions
• Tide tables
• Tidal Current Atlases

What is the data used for?

The data collected by the Canadian Hydrographic Service provides the foundation for safe and sustainable activities on Canadian waters and allows for economically prosperous maritime sectors.

Maritime transportation is the primary means of transport for supplies to northern commnunities accounting for nearly 95% of Arctic goods.

The more precise the water level information and bathymetry provided by the Canadian Hydrographic Service, the more precise the planning for commercial shippers when delivering goods to the Canadian consumer and exporting goods to foreign markets.

Did you know?

On average, Canada welcomes 21,000 international ships to our ports and through our waters, carrying passengers, goods and cargo each year. (source Transport Canada)

For more information on the Canadian Hydrographic Service visit: www.chart.gc.ca.