Panama Canal Authority–Supported Open Data Initiative

Background and Context

The Los Chorros de Ciri basin, located west of Panama City, is a hydrologically and socially important watershed that supports rural communities while contributing to regional water security. In recognition of this dual importance, the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) funded a high-resolution mapping project focused on community-oriented outcomes and long-term public benefit.

This project represents a shift away from closed, single-purpose GIS deliverables toward open geospatial data that can support community planning, environmental stewardship, and collaborative mapping initiatives.

Project Objectives

The mapping effort was designed around the following goals:

• Generate high-accuracy base mapping of the Los Chorros de Ciri basin using drone photogrammetry
• Identify and document community presence within the watershed
• Release derived GIS products for public and open-source use

Data Acquisition and Processing

Drone Photogrammetry Surveys

Multiple drone missions were conducted in early September 2025, covering discrete but adjacent blocks within the basin. The surveys achieved consistent, high-resolution coverage suitable for both environmental and community-scale mapping.

Key characteristics of the datasets include:

• Area coverage exceeding 9 square kilometers across all survey blocks
• Ground sampling distance between 4 and 5 centimeters
• Full image reconstruction for all flights
• Dense point clouds exceeding hundreds of millions of points per block

These datasets were processed using WebODM Lightning and generated orthophotos, digital surface models, and digital terrain models suitable for GIS analysis and mapping.

Accuracy and Quality Control

Survey accuracy was evaluated using GPS and 3D error metrics derived during processing. Reported results indicate:

• Horizontal accuracy (CE90) generally below 0.6 meters
• Vertical accuracy (LE90) generally below 0.7 meters
• Stable reprojection errors and consistent feature reconstruction across blocks

These accuracy levels support reliable mapping of buildings, paths, waterways, and land-use features within the basin.

Community Mapping Focus

A core outcome of this project was the explicit identification of community features that are often underrepresented in national or commercial datasets. These include:

• Rural housing clusters
• Informal access roads and footpaths
• Agricultural clearings
• Local watercourses influencing daily life

By deriving vector data from high-resolution orthophotos and terrain models, the project enables communities to be more accurately represented in shared geospatial platforms.

Open Data and Public Release

All derived GIS products from this project were explicitly cleared for public release. This enables their use for:

1. Community mapping and participatory planning
2. Integration into open platforms such as OpenStreetMap
3. Academic and NGO research
4. Watershed management and disaster preparedness

The decision to release these datasets reflects a broader commitment to open data principles and public value.

Reflections

The Los Chorros de Ciri project demonstrates that professional-grade GIS workflows can serve both institutional needs and community interests. By prioritizing openness and reuse, the project helps ensure that publicly funded geospatial data contributes to shared knowledge, transparency, and long-term community benefit.