Flow Direction Calculates Water Direction Using Slope

Flow Direction

Last Updated: February 20, 2018

What is flow direction?

Hydrologists use flow direction maps to help model how surface runoff contributes to flooding. They also use it for a lot more.

Flow direction calculates the direction water will flow using slope from neighboring cells.

But how does flow direction really work?

Today, we explore the hydrology tool of flow direction. On a cell-by-cell basis, we explore which direction water travels using a pour-point model.

How to calculate flow direction

First, start off with a digital elevation model like from one of these free DEM data sources. Flow direction determines which direction water will flow in a given cell.

Based on the direction of the steepest descent in each cell, we measure flow direction. In addition, the z-value difference and slope are calculated between neighboring cells.


In a given grid cell, water can flow to one or more of its eight adjacent cells. Slope is the ultimate factor how water flows in this model.

We use a pour-point model to show how and which direction water travels. The eight adjacent cells in the pour point model has a value expressing the way in which water falls.

Flow Direction: Eight Direction Pour-Point Model
Flow Direction: Eight Direction Pour-Point Model

For example:

When water flows in the east direction, it has a value of 1. When water flows west, it has a value of 16. All 8 adjacent directions at a given point can be described using the eight-direction pour point model.

Digital Elevation Model
Digital Elevation Model

Flow Direction

When running the flow direction algorithm, the resulting values ranges from 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64 and 128. In the eight direction pour-point model diagram, you can understand which flow direction water travels.

Now, it’s your turn

We can better understand the question “where did water come from” by using hydrology tools like flow accumulation and direction.

Pick a point (a single cell in the DEM) and find the slope. Each cell is illustrated with the eight possible directions.

Flow accumulation traces backwards showing all the contributing cells.

Test it out yourself.

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