## Questions
### What is the scope of the initiative?
The focus are **waterways (e. g. rivers, creeks, streams, drains etc.)** but contributors are welcome to improve related infrastructure (e.g. levees, bridges, pumping stations, dams, weirs, irrigation canals, etc), or geometries of significant water bodies (e.g. riverbanks, lakes, etc.)
[Back Up](#Questions)
### Why is waterway data important?
The OpenStreetMap (OSM) dataset serves as a cornerstone for creating and maintaining free, open, and publicly-accessible waterways data, essential for:
* **Improved navigation and mapping**: OSM data is foundational, enhancing navigation and map services for third-party data users, such as CoMaps, [Locus Map](https://docs.locusmap.app/doku.php?id=manual:advanced:map_tools:osm) OrganicMaps, Strava, [GrabMaps](https://www.grab.com/sg/inside-grab/stories/mapping-hidden-roads-alleys-southeast-asia-driver-partners/).
* **Advocacy and transparency**: NPOs, NGOs, citizens, and stakeholders utilize OSM in advocacy campaigns, promoting transparency and accountability.
* **Academic research**: OSM is a vital resource for academic researchers in universities, supporting studies on urban planning, environmental monitoring, and more.
* **Emergency response and disaster relief**: Accurate waterways data enables responders to quickly assess and respond to affected areas, saving lives and reducing damage.
* **Sustainable development and planning**: Free and open waterways data informs urban planning, infrastructure development, and environmental conservation efforts, ensuring that decisions are data-driven and sustainable.
* **Environmental monitoring, conservation, and protection**: OSM data helps organizations track changes in waterways and ecosystems, supporting conservation efforts and promoting environmental stewardship.
* **Water resource management**: Accurate data is essential for hydroelectric power generation, water supply management, and flood risk mitigation.
* **Recreation and tourism**: Open waterways data supports businesses that rely on accurate and up-to-date information, such as tour operators, water sports providers, and coastal communities.
* **Maritime and inland waterway transportation**: Free and open data facilitates safe and efficient navigation for commercial and personal vessels, reducing the risk of accidents and improving economic productivity.
* **Climate change research and mitigation**: OSM data provides valuable insights into the impacts of climate change on waterways and surrounding ecosystems, informing research and policy decisions.
[Back Up](#Questions)
### What is the data source?
The vertices of the waterway segments were based on OpenStreetMap data (2025, 30 September) via [Geofabrik](https://download.geofabrik.de/). Click [here](#What-do-I-need-to-create-a-similar-project-) for an overview of that process.
It's quite possible that some nodes may have been updated since then, and your assigned task already resolved. If so, you may give it a quick go, to see if there's anything else to improve on. Or, tap the `no issue` button and jump to your next mapping ~~task~~ excursion.
[Back Up](#Questions)
### What motivated yous to start this campaign?
A community channel thread about the outrageous [allegations of corruption, mismanagement, and irregularities in government-funded flood management projects ](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flood_control_projects_controversy_in_the_Philippines) and a photo of an alleged politican viewing a banner of a controversial project, with an unattributed OSM map:
>
>
>> Anyway, i encourage everyone to map waterways so we can plot if flood control projects are indeed along waterways. ;) - Maning
[Back Up](#Questions)
### I couldn't seem to find nearby tasks. Where should I look?
Due to technical limitations of the tasking platform, the project has to be divided into four geographic areas: two in Luzon, one in the Visayas, and another for Mindanao.
You can view a [map of available tasks](https://maproulette.org/browse/challenges?categorizationKeywords=chasingwaterways&challengeSearch=109.95083954079048%2C4.521205045155434%2C137.06509735329047%2C20.75568116947283&location=intersectingMapBounds) or the [virtual collection](https://maproulette.org/browse/projects/61314) of challenges.
[Back Up](#Questions)
### I want to focus on mapping my town. Can you provide a challenge for my area?
Learn how to do this following Maproulette's documention on [Virtual Challenges](https://learn.maproulette.org/en-US/documentation/editing-virtual-challenges/#content).
All you need to do is select arbitrary tasks in your area of interest from an active challenge, regardless of their scope or type, whether it's a city, region, protected area, or other geographical designation.
The URL to a virtual challenge is shareable to anyone, and people can work together to complete an area much sooner than working alone. Great excuse to invite your friends for mapping parties!
[Back Up](#Questions)
### Where can I find the challenges for the rest of the Philippines?
The full list [#ChasingWaterways challenges](https://mpr.lt/browse/projects/61314) is here: https://maproulette.org/browse/projects/61314.
[Back Up](#Questions)
### What are the local terms for waterway features?
The following are some examples:
English | OSM Tag | Tagalog | Binisayâ | Ilokano | Hilgaynon
--- | --- | --- | --- | --- | ---
River| `waterway=river` | Ilog | Subâ | Karayan | Subâ
Stream | :point_up: :point_down: | Sapá | Wahig | Agayus, Agay-ayus
Creek | `waterway=stream` | Batis | Sapâ | Ayus
Brook | `waterway=stream` | Saluysóy | Anig-ig | Waig| Sapâ-sápà
Spring | `natural=spring` | Bukál | Tubod | Ubbog | Bí-aw
Dam | `waterway=dam` |Prinsa|Liptung,Tambul|Puttot, Tambac|Páslong
[Back Up](#Questions)
### What's the QA/Validation plans?
It's not unusual for mapping campaigns to introduce "issues" inadvertently, so (hopefully) periodically, but definitely at the end of the campaign, we'll review outstanding [waterway issues flagged by Osmose(e.g. in Central Visayas)](https://osmose.openstreetmap.fr/en/map/#loc=9/10.2613/123.6287&level=1%2C2&tags=waterway&useDevItem=all&country=philippines_central_visayas&item=xxxx).
[Back Up](#Questions)
### What do I need to create a similar project ?
The outline of the process is as follows:
* Get the OSM waterways dataset for your area.
* For cities or small areas, an Overpass query will work just fine.
* Try the following Overpass queries: [Ultra](https://overpass-ultra.us/#q=PTCOFcFMCcE8AIBmB7a8DuBDALjLsBneASwDt5sALSeAI1uQA8AoZgbWXGwC4ArA5KQC6bbMQC2kTjwBMAViEBuZiHgBzHNTTRIBcABtsBZgApm8DJlhsARFlzR8NoSYDer+kwC+XgJTKLHX0cYkFbezwrZzcPBkYff2ZE1QAHaDJseB09Q2NpdSlxRSA) or [Standard](https://overpass-turbo.eu/s/2dxA). Former is faster, and will let you download bigger datasets. YMMV. :crossed_fingers:
* For large regions or whole countries, download the dailies from [Geofrabrik](https://download.geofabrik.de/).
* Extract the waterway geometries using Osmium, for example:
* All waterways: `osmium tags-filter input.osm.pbf w/waterway -f pbf -o output.pbf`
* Just rivers: `osmium tags-filter input.osm.pbf w/waterway=river -f pbf -o output.pbf`
* Using any GIS program ([:heart_hands: QGIS](https://qgis.org)), do the following:
* start a new project, and load the line geometries of your waterways dataset
* simplify the line geometries
* identify the starting point or intersection vertices of all waterway segments
* buffer and dissolve the vertices layer
* add a bounding box for each vertice
* export results to a format compatible with your microtasking manager of choice
* Have fun (Mandatory)!
[Back Up](#Questions)
#### I don't know GIS. Can you help create a project for my favorite X (city, region, state, etc.)?
We can give it a shot if you're seriously interested. :crossed_fingers: Chat with fellow waterway chasers on [#ChasingWaterways via DeltaChat](https://i.delta.chat/#BEC7F4ECF589A3B882326E4CD1E9FAAC3F594094&a=7dukx5bbi%40chika.aangat.lahat.computer&g=Chasing%20Waterways&x=_N5JnALdaWAiYVH5eomFTXFO&i=iqjoGqQ5YdthzU2BrXI2wAa9&s=_noE2gfzO70CjYPTU_GNAMQy).
[This](#I-want-to-focus-on-mapping-my-town-Can-you-provide-a-challenge-for-my-area) other question might be helpful, too.
[Back Up](#Questions)
### What's with that hashtag?
It was inspired by TLC's song: [Waterfalls](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waterfalls_(TLC_song)). :musical_score:
> "Gotta map 'em all, gotta map 'em all
Gotta map 'em all, 'cause I'm tracing [waterways](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MKmn97QUpUQ)
Please map the rivers and the lakes that you love
I know that you'll discover some new ones to show"
:laughing:
{%vimeo 539779360 %}
[Back Up](#Questions)
### I have other things in mind. How can I contact yous?
To get in touch, you can:
* Reach out to fellow waterway chasers on [#ChasingWaterways via DeltaChat](https://i.delta.chat/#BEC7F4ECF589A3B882326E4CD1E9FAAC3F594094&a=7dukx5bbi%40chika.aangat.lahat.computer&g=Chasing%20Waterways&x=_N5JnALdaWAiYVH5eomFTXFO&i=iqjoGqQ5YdthzU2BrXI2wAa9&s=_noE2gfzO70CjYPTU_GNAMQy)
* DeltaChat is an encrypted, optionally anonymous platform. It's unnecessary to disclose your OSM account.
* To get past the door, you'll need to sing the Waterfalls song chorus. :laughing:
* Connect with OSM local communities in the Philippines via the [communication channels](https://osm.org/wiki/PH) they maintain.
[Back Up](#ChasingWaterways-in-the-Philippines)
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