This is a draft page for discussion and development of a Wiki page about mapping water features. The forum discussion about this is here.
Introduction
Water features are one element that can be displayed on the Waze client. They are displayed from a Map Water Layer that cannot be edited. In addition, Area Places may be created that also display on the client with or without names. Water features appear below other edited features on the map like roads and Area Places.
There have been some locations where the Map Water Layer has inaccuracies including mapping water where it does not exist and omission of significant water areas.
In considering what water features to map with Area Places, we do not want to add unnecessary information to the map or information that would clutter the display. With that in mind, this guidance is provided to encourage a standard approach in using Area Places for water features.
Available Water Area Places
The following two water Area Places currently exist in the Waze editor.
- Natural Features (category in Places)
- Sea / Lake / Pool
- Intended to be a still body of water or large body of water.
- River / Stream
- Intended to be a flowing body of water.
- Sea / Lake / Pool
When you create an Area Place, you have these two choices to identify your Area Place as a water feature. You do this by selecting or typing the beginning of these names in the Place "Categories" field. You may also select "Natural Features" from the list of options, then one of these two water types.
| Once you've created the Area Place, the Waze Map Editor (WME) presents you with a set of options to categorize your Place. One approach is to pick the correct category type by clicking on it. | 
|
| Water features are located in the primary category "Natural Features." Click on this item. | 
|
| Once you have selected Natural Features, you have two water feature options. In this case we will pick a River / Stream category. You could also pick "Sea / Lake / Pool." | 
|
| This populates the River / Stream type into the Category field. You now can name this Place and add a description if needed. | 
|
Principles for Mapping Water Features
There may be local preference or precedent in mapping water features. We hope that consensus and standardization will result from the following principles that indicate when we should and should not map water features.
- Do not map water features that already exist on the Map Water Layer
- To map these would be redundant.
- Exception: When you wish to add the name of the water feature that does not exist in the Map Water Layer.
- Map water features that are a destination and might be searched for by users.
- Map water features that are visual navigation references or clues on the Waze client.
- Example: Visual understanding why roads are separated by a body of water.
- Example: Visual understanding about a driver location relative to a body of water.
- Map dry water channels and holding areas as needed.
- Attempt to only map those that meet the other principles in this section.
- These are ditches, arroyos, holding ponds, dry dams, or flood channels that are often times dry. They are often times located in dry or arid locations as a means for flood control but may also be located where high tides or rivers might flood their banks.
- Do not delete water Area Place features without first contacting the editor that created that feature.
- Prefer using Point Places to map particular destinations around a body of water, such as portage locations, boat launching areas, etc.
Technical Details
- The Map Water Layer is only on the North Amercian Server (This is an unverified fact.)