Mapping Tools

Mapping Tools

The provincial government provides free web-based mapping tools for the public to use. These tools help you create maps and drawings for your projects or research the land base for existing activities before applying. This page explains and compares popular mapping programs used in the natural resource sector and helps you choose the best one for your needs.

To understand what you see in these mapping programs, refer to a list of common natural resource layers, which explains what layers are displayed and what each layer means for natural resources.

For a detailed comparison of mapping tools, check the Comparison Tools document at the bottom of this page. If you need help with the Comparison Document or understanding the tool descriptions, contact FrontCounter BC.

 

Natural Resource Online Services: Explore by Location

The Explore by Location mapping tool previously found on this site is undergoing transition and unavailable until further notice..

Focus:  Single point of access Natural Resource Sector website to assist you in applying for all natural resource applications.

Provides a single point of access to information about natural resource activities. It includes tools to research and prepare an authorization application, guidance to inform you of the requirements and obligations related to your planned activity, and the ability to apply for any natural resource-based activity. This site Includes guidance on activities, a web map and reporting functions to assist in evaluating existing activity on the land base.

View Specific Data Layers

Upload / download  an Area of interest

Create your own Area of Interest

Ability to Search or Query data

Create a map

Reporting functions

Guidance documents for activities

 

Discovery Tool

Focus:  Google Earth tool with Natural Resource Sector related data layers

Has various land interest layers pre-loaded into Google Earth  that provides basic information on how the land base is currently used

View Specific Data Layers

Upload / download  an Area of interest

Create your own Area of Interest

Ability to Search or Query data

Create a map

Reporting functions

Guidance documents for activities

 

Integrated Land and Resource Registry

Focus: Integrated Provincial Land and Natural Resource Information

Established under the Land Act, the ILRR is the central registry of land and regulated natural resource activity in British Columbia. The ILRR provides access to up-to-date land and resource information for public and government use to identify potential land use restrictions. The ILRR has multiple functions and uses including an interactive web map, importing/exporting spatial data, area of interest creation, report generation, custom query capability, and land use notifications tools.

View Specific Data Layers

Upload / download  an Area of interest

Create your own Area of Interest

Ability to Search or Query data

Create a map

Reporting functions

Guidance documents for activities

 

iMapBC

Focus: General map viewer

Web mapping tool for viewing a large variety of natural resource spatial data, including land interest layers. Can upload shape files and text files,

or draw a shape on screen and drill-down for detailed information on areas that overlap your area of interest. Includes some analysis tools to

create data queries, or run pre-canned reports.

View Specific Data Layers

Upload / download  an Area of interest

Create your own Area of Interest

Ability to Search or Query data

Create a map

Reporting functions

Guidance documents for activities

 

Mineral Map Viewers

Focus: Mineral, Placer and Coal Titles

CWM is the map viewer used for title and reserve site searches and event registrations where a map is provided to select cells or titles. This

 includes event registrations such as acquisition, reduction and subdivision. 

View Specific Data Layers

Upload / download  an Area of interest

Create your own Area of Interest

Ability to Search or Query data

Create a map

Reporting functions

Guidance documents for activities

(limited)

 

IMF2 is the mapping and query tool map viewer. This service provides tools for map creation, drawing or markup, and printing. This viewer

also allows for detailed searches of mineral, placer and coal titles; mineral and coal land reserves; primary parcels; crown grants or wildlife

features among others.

View Specific Data Layers

Upload / download  an Area of interest

Create your own Area of Interest

Ability to Search or Query data

Create a map

Reporting functions

Guidance documents for activities

 (download only)

 

BC Water Resource Atlas

Focus: Water

iMAP application specific to water data. Allows you to query and find detailed water and related data such as watersheds, water quantity 

& quality monitoring sites, aquifers, water wells and flood protection.

View Specific Data Layers

Upload / download  an Area of interest

Create your own Area of Interest

Ability to Search or Query data

Create a map

Reporting functions

Guidance documents for activities

 

BC Agriculture Water Calculator

Focus: Agricultural Water Use

The BC Agriculture Water Calculator helps agriculture water users in British Columbia estimate the annual irrigation or livestock water demand

for a farm. Irrigation water demand estimates are made based on the geographic location of the farm, as well as its soil type, crop type and

type of irrigation. Livestock water demand estimates are made for a given number and type of animals

View Specific Data Layers

Upload / download  an Area of interest

Create your own Area of Interest

Ability to Search or Query data

Create a map

Reporting functions

Guidance documents for activities

(limited)

 

Water Licence Search

Focus: Water use

Online application (not map based) that provides information on authorized water use in BC by searching the stream name, water use purpose, and//or water licence number.

View Specific Data Layers

Upload / download  an Area of interest

Create your own Area of Interest

Ability to Search or Query data

Create a map

Reporting functions

Guidance documents for activities

 

More Information on Mapping Tools

If you would like to know more about the above Mapping Tools and the differences between them, please refer to our Mapping Tools Comparison Document.