{"id":2964304,"date":"2026-05-14T08:30:54","date_gmt":"2026-05-14T15:30:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/?post_type=blog&p=2964304"},"modified":"2026-05-14T10:22:39","modified_gmt":"2026-05-14T17:22:39","slug":"new-geodesic-flow-direction","status":"publish","type":"blog","link":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/products\/arcgis-pro\/analytics\/new-geodesic-flow-direction","title":{"rendered":"More Accurate Flow Direction at Any Scale: Introducing the Geodesic Method"},"author":246232,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_searchwp_excluded":""},"categories":[23341],"tags":[42181,24131,34051,23371,67211],"industry":[],"product":[36561,37031],"class_list":["post-2964304","blog","type-blog","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-analytics","tag-arcgis-pro","tag-dem","tag-geodesic","tag-hydrology","tag-hydrology-analysis-tools","product-arcgis-pro","product-spatial-analyst"],"acf":{"authors":[{"ID":246232,"user_firstname":"Tania","user_lastname":"Lopez-Cantu","nickname":"Tania Lopez-Cantu","user_nicename":"tlopezcantu","display_name":"Tania Lopez-Cantu","user_email":"tlopezcantu@esri.com","user_url":"","user_registered":"2021-07-02 17:07:13","user_description":"Tania Lopez-Cantu is a Senior Product Engineer in the Raster Analysis team at Esri. She works with raster and scientific multidimensional data to solve problems in water resources management and climate change impacts. Her role at Esri includes conducting research, building and maintaining tools for hydrological and terrain analysis. She holds a Ph.D. in Civil and Environmental Engineering from Carnegie Mellon University.","user_avatar":""}],"short_description":"ArcGIS Pro 3.7 introduces geodesic distance calculation in the Geodesic Flow Direction tool, improving accuracy at large and global scales.","flexible_content":[{"acf_fc_layout":"content","content":"

When you measure the distance between two points on a map, you have a choice: measure it as if the map were flat, or account for the fact that the Earth is curved.\u00a0<\/span>Measuring distances using\u00a0<\/span>the planar<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>method\u00a0<\/span>is fast and works well for many\u00a0<\/span>case<\/span>s<\/span>,<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>while<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>using the\u00a0<\/span>geodesic\u00a0<\/span>method<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>pro<\/span>vides<\/span>\u00a0more\u00a0<\/span>accura<\/span>te<\/span>\u00a0distances<\/span>, especially over large areas.<\/span><\/p>\n

In ArcGIS Pro 3.7, that choice<\/span>\u00a0is now available\u00a0with\u00a0the<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Geodesic\u00a0Flow\u00a0direction<\/span><\/b><\/a>\u00a0tool\u00a0for hydrologic analysis.<\/span><\/p>\n

Determining flow direction is a fundamental step in hydrologic analysis. It forms the basis for extracting stream networks, delineating watersheds, and understanding how water moves across a landscape.<\/span><\/p>\n

At its core, the tool determines the steepest downhill direction from each cell to its neighboring cells. That calculation depends on knowing the distances between cell centers, which is exactly where geodesic measurement makes a difference, and improves accuracy.<\/span>
\n\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Why Distance Calculation Matters in Flow Direction<\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

To<\/span>\u00a0understand the impact, consider a 3<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>x<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>3 grid of elevation cells.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Consider the example shown in Figure 1<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

At the equator<\/span>, the cells are consistent in size and shape<\/span>, so the<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>distances between cell ce<\/span>nters are\u00a0<\/span>rou<\/span>ghly equal<\/span>\u00a0in all directions.\u00a0<\/span>In that case, whether you use a planar or geodesic method to calculate distance, the result is\u00a0<\/span>essentially\u00a0<\/span>the<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>same.\u00a0<\/span>Flow<\/span>\u00a0direction is unaffected.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Now move that same grid to near the North Pole. Here, the cells are\u00a0<\/span>distorted;<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>they\u2019re<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>narrowe<\/span>r in the east-west direction than in the north-south direction.<\/span>\u00a0Distances between cell centers are no longer equal. A planar calculation\u00a0<\/span>doesn\u2019t<\/span>\u00a0acco<\/span>unt for that<\/span>\u00a0distortion, but a geodesic one does. The result: what would have been a southward flow direction at the equator may now correctly resolve as westward flow at the pole when calculated\u00a0<\/span>geodesically<\/span>.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"image","image":{"ID":2965866,"id":2965866,"title":"graphic-geod-planar-flowdir","filename":"graphic-geod-planar-flowdir.png","filesize":44677,"url":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/05\/graphic-geod-planar-flowdir.png","link":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/products\/arcgis-pro\/analytics\/new-geodesic-flow-direction\/graphic-geod-planar-flowdir","alt":"Geodesic vs Planar Flow Direction.","author":"246232","description":"Geodesic vs Planar Flow Direction comparison at two locations.","caption":"Figure 1. Side-by-side grid diagrams showing consistent cell sizes at the equator vs. distorted cells near the pole, with flow direction arrows illustrating the difference. Note: The North Pole grid has been exaggerated for visual purposes.\u200b The distance values between cell centers are not the same in Planar North Pole and Planar Equator, but the shape of the cell remains square.\u200b","name":"graphic-geod-planar-flowdir","status":"inherit","uploaded_to":2964304,"date":"2026-05-13 22:42:18","modified":"2026-05-14 17:22:30","menu_order":0,"mime_type":"image\/png","type":"image","subtype":"png","icon":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/wp-includes\/images\/media\/default.png","width":948,"height":443,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/05\/graphic-geod-planar-flowdir-213x200.png","thumbnail-width":213,"thumbnail-height":200,"medium":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/05\/graphic-geod-planar-flowdir.png","medium-width":464,"medium-height":217,"medium_large":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/05\/graphic-geod-planar-flowdir.png","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":359,"large":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/05\/graphic-geod-planar-flowdir.png","large-width":948,"large-height":443,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/05\/graphic-geod-planar-flowdir.png","1536x1536-width":948,"1536x1536-height":443,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/05\/graphic-geod-planar-flowdir.png","2048x2048-width":948,"2048x2048-height":443,"card_image":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/05\/graphic-geod-planar-flowdir-826x386.png","card_image-width":826,"card_image-height":386,"wide_image":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/05\/graphic-geod-planar-flowdir.png","wide_image-width":948,"wide_image-height":443}},"image_position":"center","orientation":"horizontal","hyperlink":""},{"acf_fc_layout":"content","content":"

For a single cell, the difference might seem small<\/span>,<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>b<\/span>ut<\/span>\u00a0hydrologic analysis\u00a0<\/span>involves<\/span>\u00a0thousands or millions of them. At large or global scales, those small per-cell\u00a0<\/span>differences<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0accumulate<\/span>\u00a0into meaningful errors in stream networks and watershed boundaries.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Nowadays<\/span>,<\/span>\u00a0hydrologic analyses<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>often\u00a0<\/span>span continents<\/span>\u00a0and rely<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>on diverse elevation datasets that may be in different coordinate systems. Global hydrologic datasets, climate modeling inputs, and continental watersh<\/span>ed studi<\/span>es all\u00a0<\/span>benefit<\/span>\u00a0from flow direction that accurately reflects\u00a0<\/span>the Earth\u2019s\u00a0<\/span>true\u00a0<\/span>surface<\/span>\u00a0geometry<\/span>.<\/span><\/span>
<\/span><\/p>\n

The new Geodesic Flow Direction tool<\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

The geodesic method is available through the<\/span>\u00a0new\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Geodesic Flow Direction<\/span><\/span><\/strong>\u00a0tool<\/span>. Yo<\/span>u will find it familiar<\/span>\u00a0–<\/span>\u00a0it\u00a0<\/span>offers\u00a0<\/span>the same user experience as\u00a0<\/span>the\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Flow<\/span>\u00a0Direction<\/span><\/span><\/strong>\u00a0tool<\/span>. No\u00a0<\/span>additional<\/span>\u00a0steps<\/span>\u00a0are<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>required<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Simply\u00a0<\/span>specify an input elevation raster and\u00a0<\/span>hit\u00a0<\/span>the<\/span>\u00a0R<\/span>un<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>button<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span>It fits i<\/span>nto existing hydrologic workflows exactly where the\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Flow Direction<\/span><\/span>\u00a0tool<\/span>\u00a0was already being used.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"content","content":"

An Example: Iceland<\/span><\/i><\/h3>\n

To see the impact clearly, consider a full-extent analysis of northern Iceland. When we compare stream networks derived from planar flow direction (shown in purple) versus geodesic flow direction (shown in blue), the differences are visible across the entire dataset, from where streams originate to the paths, they follow across the landscape. Every one of those differences traces back to how flow direction was calculated.<\/span><\/p>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"image","image":{"ID":2965935,"id":2965935,"title":"Fig1_GeodesicVsPlanarStreamNetwork","filename":"Fig1GeodesicVsPlanarStreamNetwork.png","filesize":550816,"url":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Fig1GeodesicVsPlanarStreamNetwork.png","link":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/products\/arcgis-pro\/analytics\/new-geodesic-flow-direction\/fig1geodesicvsplanarstreamnetwork","alt":"Stream network comparison: geodesic vs planar","author":"246232","description":"","caption":"Figure 2. Iceland stream network comparison \u2014 planar (purple) vs. geodesic (blue) streams.","name":"fig1geodesicvsplanarstreamnetwork","status":"inherit","uploaded_to":2964304,"date":"2026-05-14 13:47:19","modified":"2026-05-14 17:17:55","menu_order":0,"mime_type":"image\/png","type":"image","subtype":"png","icon":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/wp-includes\/images\/media\/default.png","width":855,"height":484,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Fig1GeodesicVsPlanarStreamNetwork-213x200.png","thumbnail-width":213,"thumbnail-height":200,"medium":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Fig1GeodesicVsPlanarStreamNetwork.png","medium-width":461,"medium-height":261,"medium_large":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Fig1GeodesicVsPlanarStreamNetwork.png","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":435,"large":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Fig1GeodesicVsPlanarStreamNetwork.png","large-width":855,"large-height":484,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Fig1GeodesicVsPlanarStreamNetwork.png","1536x1536-width":855,"1536x1536-height":484,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Fig1GeodesicVsPlanarStreamNetwork.png","2048x2048-width":855,"2048x2048-height":484,"card_image":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Fig1GeodesicVsPlanarStreamNetwork-821x465.png","card_image-width":821,"card_image-height":465,"wide_image":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Fig1GeodesicVsPlanarStreamNetwork.png","wide_image-width":855,"wide_image-height":484}},"image_position":"center","orientation":"horizontal","hyperlink":""},{"acf_fc_layout":"content","content":"

If your analysis\u00a0<\/span>uses\u00a0<\/span>diverse<\/span>\u00a0data\u00a0<\/span>with different coordinate systems, span<\/span>s<\/span>\u00a0continents or large-scales or you just want to keep your analysis in<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>geographic coordinate system (GCS)<\/span><\/span>,\u00a0<\/span>use the new<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Geodesic Flow Direction<\/strong>\u00a0<\/span>tool\u00a0<\/span><\/span>to\u00a0<\/span>ensure\u00a0<\/span>the<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>flow direction\u00a0<\/span>raster\u00a0<\/span>output<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>accounts for<\/span> the Earth\u2019s curved shape.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n"}],"related_articles":[{"ID":2771062,"post_author":"337362","post_date":"2025-07-08 09:00:05","post_date_gmt":"2025-07-08 16:00:05","post_content":"","post_title":"Geodesic or planar: which to use for distance 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