40,000+ sq km of UK terrain modelled for national flood forecasting.
A high-precision topographic operating model covering 38 distinct districts across Scotland and Wales — 2m DSMs to capture all surface features and 5m DTMs for bare-earth analysis. Built to overhaul UK flood forecasting after a year that flooded seven times.
40,000+ sq km of national terrain mapped at high accuracy. 38 regions secured with predictive flood-risk data.
- 40,000+
- sq km of terrain modelled
- 38
- Regions across Scotland & Wales
- 2m / 5m
- DSM / DTM precision
Challenge
With the UK facing increasingly frequent and severe flash flooding — recorded over seven times in 2019 alone — the government required a unified, up-to-date elevation dataset to overhaul its forecasting models. Existing elevation data lacked the resolution and currency required for accurate hydrodynamic simulations. Mapped areas spanned diverse terrains across Scotland and Wales, requiring consistent accuracy across vast, varied landscapes, ahead of seasonal peaks.
Approach
SBL Infotech’s MMS platform governs the full pipeline from regional survey intake and point-cloud processing through DSM/DTM modelling to national-grade database distribution. Horizontal and vertical accuracy benchmarks were defined upfront; a specialised geospatial team managed the throughput across 38 unique districts; seamless edge-matching and vertical consistency were verified across the full 40,000 sq km footprint.
Outcome
A nation’s elevation, rebuilt as a product. The dataset feeds 24/7 flood early-warning systems, helps engineers design optimal flood barriers and drainage networks, and empowers local authorities to make data-driven decisions on land use and insurance risk. A repeatable update cycle keeps pace with changing environmental conditions.
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