This dataset contains the results of an experimental campaign aimed at retrieving the instantaneous free-surface elevation of the dynamic air-water interface of an open-channel flow-like in a laboratory flume using remote sensing technology.The acquisition was made possible by employing the Digital Image Correlation (DIC) technique. The data acquisition campain was possible thanks to the fundings provided by the Department of Civil and Structural Engineering of the University of Sheffield (United Kingdom) and by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council under grant agreement EP/R022275/1. The experiments were conducted as part of the requirements for the fullfilment of the criteria prescribed to award a PhD title. See the Readme file for further information.