Abstract
In the current digital age, spatial management seems impossible without a set of data which maps the real situation on a computer screen. However, varying technologies (software, hardware) as well as methodologies (vectorisation, automatic classification, deep learning, etc.), together with the availability of input materials, result in a huge difference in the quality and timeliness of data collected infor example different countries. This statement also applies to hydrographic data, which undeniably affects water management efficiency. With increasing globalization, it seems necessary to standardize hydrographic data on a transnational level. The main aim of this article was to review the ways and techniques of collecting, updating and sharing hydrographic data by selected countries or organizations. In addition, the use of modern geo-information and remote sensing tools was reviewed, as well as work towards interoperability of inland surface water databases. As a result of the review, the authors identified a strong need to unify hydrographic data at both the national and continental levels, and in the future, globally (considering the dynamic change of data precision when changing the digital mapping scale). In addition,good practices were identified, and methods that can be used to create a universal spatial database of surface waters were identified.