We developed the first publicly available spatially explicit estimates of the human alterations along the global floodplains during the recent 27 years (1992-2019) at 250-m resolution. To maximize the reuse of our datasets and advance the open science of human floodplain alteration, we developed three web-based programming tools: (1) Floodplain Mapping Tool, (2) Land Use Change Tool, and (3) Human Alteration Tool supported with tutorials and step-by-step audiovisual instructions. Our data reveal a significant loss of natural floodplains worldwide with 460,000 km2 of new agricultural and 140,000 km2 of new developed areas between 1992 and 2019. This dataset offers critical new insights into how floodplains are being destroyed, which will help decision-makers to reinforce strategies to conserve and restore floodplain functions and habitat. This dataset is not publicly accessible because: EPA scientists provided context and commentary but did not do any of the analyses or handle any of the data. It can be accessed through the following means: The entire data record can be downloaded as a single zip file from this web link: http://www.hydroshare.org/resource/cdb5fd97e0644a14b22e58d05299f69b.

The global floodplain alteration dataset is derived entirely through ArcGIS 10.5 and ENVI 5.1 geospatial analysis platforms. To assist in reuse and application of the dataset, we developed additional Python codes aggregated as three web-based tools:

Floodplain Mapping Tool: https://colab.research.google.com/drive/1xQlARZXKPexmDInYV-EMoJ-HZxmFL-eW?usp=sharing. Land Use Change Tool: https://colab.research.google.com/drive/1vmIaUCkL66CoTv4rNRIWpJXYXp4TlAKd?usp=sharing. Human Alteration Tool: https://colab.research.google.com/drive/1r2zNJNpd3aWSuDV2Kc792qSEjvDbFtBy?usp=share_link

See Usage Notes section in the journal article for details. Format: The global floodplain alteration dataset is available through the HydroShare open geospatial data platform. Our data record also includes all corresponding input data, intermediate calculations, and supporting information.

This dataset is associated with the following publication: Rajib, A., Q. Zheng, C. Lane, H. Golden, J. Christensen, I. Isibor, and K. Johnson. Human alterations of the global floodplains 1992–2019. Scientific Data. Springer Nature, New York, NY, USA, 10: 499, (2023).