The Swiss hydrographic network comprises all surface and subsurface rivers, streams and canals. Lakes are also included. Both natural and artificial water bodies are considered. The water bodies and their hydrological catchments serve as spatial references for literally any question, problem and project related to hydrology and water resources management.
Switzerland's hydrographic network is mapped nationwide by the Federal Office of Topography. The results are available in digital form as part of the landscape models prepared on a scale of 1:25,000 (Vector25) and 1:200,000 (Vector200).
On the federal level the digital hydrographic network on a scale of 1:25,000 (version 2007) is used as reference network. In some cantons, digital hydrographic networks are available on a bigger scale.
Analyses
The hydrographic network of Switzerland encompasses approximately 65,000 km (scale 1:25,000), or approximately 22,000 km at a scale of 1:200,000. Various analyses with respect to the hydrographic network are available in the document listed below. These analyses have been carried out on the basis of the digital hydrographic network vector25/vector200 (version year 2007).
This document contains analyses concerning:
- Length of watercourses per canton
- The 10 longest rivers in Switzerland
- List of all rivers longer than 30 km
- Watercourse density per canton
- Number and total area of lakes per canton
- List with the 100 biggest lakes of Switzerland
Additional evaluations based on older data
Product documentation concerning the digital hydrographic network
Strukturierung und Adressierung des Gewässernetzes 1:25'000 nach Modell gwn25-07 - April 2009 (PDF, 727 kB, 18.12.2013)(available in German and French)
FAQ - Die neue Gewässerstruktur nach Modell gwn25-07 (PDF, 438 kB, 18.12.2013)(available in German and French)
Information referenced on the hydrographic network
Further information
Last modification 19.08.2022
