**Maximum Water Depth**

-   At each plot location, while the observer(s) is measuring
    greenline-to-greenline width, a measurement of the maximum water
    depth along that transect is measured. **Use a metric measuring rod
    and read the water surface line where it intercepts the rod marks
    perpendicular to the flow direction.**

-   The maximum depth represents the deepest point in the cross section,
    and is found by probing, in the cross-section line, with a depth rod
    until the deepest point is located.

-   All 80+ plots should include a maximum thalweg water depth to
    acquire the sample size needed to objectively estimate the habitat
    metrics.

-   It is important that the plot spacing be recorded in the "Header"
    form of the Data Analysis Module for proper calculation of the
    metrics.

**Water Width**

-   Measure the width between water lines using the same tape, rod, or
    laser range finder used to measure Greenline-to-greenline width.

-   For split channels, add together the width of wetted water surfaces.

-   Measure only to the edge of the bank when undercuts exist (do not
    add the width of the undercut.

-   Measure water widths at all 80+ plot locations and in the same
    transect as the thalweg depth and GGW measurements.

**Substrate**

-   Beginning with the second plot in the survey, samples are collected
    at every other water-width/depth transect (or 20 total transects)
    evenly spaced along the entire length of the DMA.

-   Collect and measure the diameter of 10 pebbles at each transect,
    from greenline to greenline. If the greenline is located above the
    bankfull level (usually the first terrace above the water line), end
    at bankfull level.

-   Visually estimate the number of heel-to-toe steps across the GGW
    width totaling 10 (5 heel and 5 toe samples) and pace accordingly.

-   For very small streams, cross once, move slightly (about 6")
    upstream, then return and collect 5 samples on each crossing of the
    channel.

-   Start with the heel of the boot at the greenline.

-   Never sample a particle on the streambank above the greenline or on
    slump blocks.

-   End the count at the greenline on the opposite side of the stream

-   Sample the particle at the toe (or heel) of the foot. Reach down
    with the forefinger (without looking at the sample point) and pick
    up the first particle touched. Measure the middle width
    (intermediate or "B" axis) of the particle in mm. Visualize the B
    axis as the smallest width of a hole that the particle could pass
    through.

-   A gravelometer is an excellent tool for objectively measuring
    particle sizes and is highly recommended.

**PROCEDURE**

1.  **Transect:** Start lower left side (looking upstream), proceed up
    along left side 110 meters, cross over to right side, proceed
    downstream, and end on bank opposite starting point. Locate DMA
    identification marker on bank next to Start.

2.  **Pace:** Pace at start = random \# (1 to 10), equal pace spacing
    thereafter. Space plots to obtain ***at least*** 40 on each side of
    stream (2.75 meters apart).

3.  **Plot:** Locate plot on greenline, with pole closest to the
    observer's toe.

4.  **Greenline vegetation composition:** Rooted (woody or herbaceous)
    or overhanging (woody species only) over one Daubenmire plot (the
    one away from stream):

5.  **Bank alteration:** Read bank alteration within both plots in the
    frame:

![](media/image1.png){width="1.8618055555555555in"
height="0.8305555555555556in"}

6.  **Bank stability:** One plot wide, from scour line to edge of the
    1^st^ terrace or floodplain.

7.  **Stubble height:** Key species in plot corner or nearest the pole:

![](media/image2.png){width="1.9201388888888888in"
height="0.7444444444444445in"}

8.  **Woody species regeneration:** Two plots either side of greenline
    and **rooted** in the plot:

> ![](media/image3.png){width="2.3493055555555555in"
> height="1.179861111111111in"}

**9. GGW, Water Width, Water Depth & Substrate:** Measure these
variables across the stream channel immediately adjacent to the plot.

**10. Woody browse:** Observe the browse use on woody plants by species
**rooted** in a 2 meter belt (1 meter either side of the greenline x
2.75 meters long) moving between plots:

> ![](media/image4.png){width="4.552777777777778in"
> height="1.0520833333333333in"}
>
> **[Locating the Greenline]{.underline}**

1.  **GREENLINE VEGETATION**: The 1^st^ lineal grouping of perennial
    vegetation above the water line.

2.  **LINEAL, CONTINUOUS GROUPING**: Vegetation that is at least the
    length and width of one quadrat: 15 cm (6 in) wide and 50 cm (20 in)
    long. There are no bare ground patches within the plot greater than
    4 inches in diameter.

3.  **GROUND COVER**: The vegetation cover within the quadrat must be at
    least 25% foliar vegetation cover (area cover).

4.  **PERENNIAL VEGETATION IN THE WATER**: If perennial vegetation is
    growing in the water at low flow, use the water line (shore line) as
    the greenline.

5.  **NON-HYDRICS**: If the first perennial vegetation is at the top of
    high cut-banks, the perennial vegetation may be non-hydric.

6.  **ROCKS & LOGS**: Anchored rocks (greater than 10" diameter or half
    of a quadrat) and anchored logs (greater than 4" diameter) count as
    part of the greenline.

7.  **SLUMP BLOCKS**: Slump blocks not attached to the bank are not
    counted as part of the greenline.

8.  **COLONIZERS**: Perennial colonizer species (e.g. short-awned
    foxtail, sandbar willow) count as greenline vegetation.

9.  **FLOATING PLANTS**: Species that float in water (e.g. water cress,
    brook grass, monkey flower, American speedwell, and smartweed) and
    sometimes are exposed on the bars do *NOT* count as greenline
    vegetation.

10. **PARALLEL**: The greenline runs roughly parallel to the streams'
    thalweg. Its angle from the thalweg (flow direction) must not exceed
    75 degrees.

![](media/image5.png){width="1.83125in" height="1.5229166666666667in"}

11. **ROOTED BASE**: If understory is absent (barren) beneath shrubs or
    trees, the greenline follows the rooted base of woody vegetation.

12. **ISLANDS**: Greenline does not extend onto any island located
    within the active channel (one channel may not have water but
    channel is obvious and vegetation is scoured/absent within the
    channel).

13. **TALUS**: Greenline runs along the base of talus slopes -- record
    "rock".

14. **INCISED AND HIGHLY DISTURBED STREAMBANKS AND TERRACES**:

```{=html}
<!-- -->
```
a.  Lineal grouping of perennial vegetation is not present on the first
    terrace or the second terrace; and the first lineal grouping is
    further than 6 meters (20 feet slope distance) from the edge of the
    stream; or

b.  Sharp meander bends with a narrow peninsula; with no vegetation on
    the side or the top, place the frame at the top of the feature and
    record "NG."

c.  **GREENLINE-TO-GREENLINE WIDTH (GGW)**

```{=html}
<!-- -->
```
1.  Measure from the handle of the frame.

2.  Measure the non-vegetated width perpendicular to the direction of
    stream flow (thaweg) to the greenline on opposite side of the stream
    channel.

3.  Measure to the rooted base of vegetation at the greenline.

4.  Measure to the nearest 0.25 feet or 0.1 meter.

5.  Islands with at least 25% vegetative cover (canopy) are not included
    in the GGW.

6.  Islands without 25% vegetative cover are included in the GGW.

7.  Do not measure the GGW (leave data entry blank) when lineal grouping
    of perennial vegetation is absent at the top of high cut banks along
    incised streams or lineal groupings of perennial vegetation is
    absent within 6 meters (20 feet) of the edge (bankfull line) of the
    1^st^ terrace (floodplain).

**WOODY SPECIES USE**

1.  Estimate the use class (Table 6) of all woody plants by species
    **rooted** within the plot (2 meters by the distance between plots).
    Exclude from consideration wood plants that have more than 50% of
    the active growing stems above 5 ft (or appropriate height for
    grazing animals, see Table 7 in manual.

2.  Exclude from the observation, all woody plants in which more than
    50% of the active growing stems are above 5 ft.

+-------------+---------------+---------------------------------------+
| **Table 6   |               |                                       |
| -- Woody    |               |                                       |
| Species Use |               |                                       |
| Classes and |               |                                       |
| Des         |               |                                       |
| criptions** |               |                                       |
+=============+===============+=======================================+
| **Class**   | **Percent     | **Description**                       |
|             | Utilization   |                                       |
|             | Range**       |                                       |
+-------------+---------------+---------------------------------------+
| None to     | 0 - 10        | Browse plants appear to have little   |
| Slight      |               | or no use. Less than 10% of the       |
|             | (mid-point =  | available current year's leader       |
|             | 5)            | growth is disturbed.                  |
+-------------+---------------+---------------------------------------+
| Slight to   | 11-- 40       | There is obvious evidence of leader   |
| Light       |               | use. The available leaders appear     |
|             | (mid-point =  | cropped or browsed in patches and     |
|             | 25)           | 60 - 89% of the available leader      |
|             |               | growth of browse plants remains       |
|             |               | intact.                               |
+-------------+---------------+---------------------------------------+
| Moderate    | 41 -- 60      | Browse plants appear rather uniformly |
|             |               | utilized and 40 - 60% of available    |
|             | (mid-point =  | annual leader growth of the plants    |
|             | 50)           | remains intact.                       |
+-------------+---------------+---------------------------------------+
| Heavy to    | 61 -- 90      | The use of the browse gives the       |
| Severe      |               | appearance of complete search by      |
|             | (mid-point =  | grazing animals. The preferred browse |
|             | 75)           | plants are hedged and some clumps may |
|             |               | be slightly broken. Only between 10   |
|             |               | and 40% of the available leader       |
|             |               | growth remains intact.                |
+-------------+---------------+---------------------------------------+
| Extreme     | 90 -- 100     | There are indications of repeated     |
|             |               | grazing. There is not evidence of     |
|             | (mid-point =  | terminal buds. Some patches of second |
|             | 95)           | and third years' growth may be        |
|             |               | grazed. Hedging is readily apparent   |
|             |               | and browse plants are frequently      |
|             |               | broken. Repeated use at this level    |
|             |               | will produce a definitely hedged or   |
|             |               | armored growth form. Ten to 40% of    |
|             |               | the more accessible second and third  |
|             |               | years' growth of browse plants has    |
|             |               | been utilized. All browse plants have |
|             |               | major portions broken.                |
+-------------+---------------+---------------------------------------+

> **WOODY SPECIES REGENERATION**

1.  Plot is 2 meters by 0.4 meters (i.e, 1 meter by 0.4 meter on each
    side of the greenline.

2.  Record by species (except those listed below) and by age class (see
    Tables 3 and 4) the number of woody plants that are rooted within
    the plot. Include plants that part of the root base falls within the
    quadrat. Stems at ground level within 1 foot of each other are
    considered the same plant.

**Table 3 -- Woody Species Age Classes for Multiple Stem Species**

+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| **Number of stems at**            | # Age Class                       |
|                                   |                                   |
| **ground surface**                |                                   |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| 1 stem                            | Sprout/Seeding                    |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| 2 to 10 stems                     | Young                             |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| \>10 stems                        | Mature                            |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| 0 stems alive                     | Dead                              |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+

Adapted from Winward 2000

**Table 4 -- Woody Species Age Class for Single Stemmed Species**

Single stemmed species birch (*Betula* spp.), alder (*Alnus* spp.),\
and cottonwood or aspen (*Populus* spp.)

  -----------------------------------------------------------------------
  **Age Class** **Cottonwood**          **Other Broadleaf Species**
  ------------- ----------------------- ---------------------------------
  Seedling      Stem is \< 4.5 ft. tall Stem is \< 3 ft. tall and the
                or \< 1 in. dbh         stem is less than 1 in. diameter
                                        at the base

  Young         Stem is ≥ 4.5 ft. tall  Stem is ≥ 3 ft. tall and \< 3 in.
                and 1 to \< 5 in. dbh   diameter breast high (dbh) or \<
                or stem is \< 4.5 ft.   3 ft. tall and the stem is 1 to 3
                tall and is 1 to \< 5   in. diameter breast high (dbh)
                in. dbh                 

  Mature        ≥ 5 in. dbh             Stem is ≥ 6 ft. tall and ≥ 3 in.
                                        dbh or \< 6 ft. tall and ≥ 3 in.
                                        dbh or stems \< 3 ft. tall with
                                        multiple branching (hedged) near
                                        the top of the stem

  Dead          Entire canopy is dead   Entire canopy is dead
  -----------------------------------------------------------------------

>   Adapted from (Thompson et al, 1998)
>
> **NOTE:** It is difficult to age class rhizomatous species such as
> coyote willow (*Salix exigua*), wolf willow (*Salix wolfii*),
> planeleaf willow (*S. planifolia*), wild rose (*Rosa* spp.), and
> currents (*Ribes* spp.), and they are not recommended for inclusion in
> the woody species regeneration. When these species need to be
> monitored, use the greenline or a line transect.
>
> **GREENLINE VEGETATION COMPOSITION**

1.  Select and document if dominance type or riparian community type is
    being used

2.  Recording perennial dominance vegetation

    a.  Tallest vegetation life form recorded as a dominant (e.g., Trees
        over shrubs over herbaceous).

    b.  Understory is recorded as dominant or sub-dominant. (use a
        separate row for additional dominants or sub-dominants.

    c.  Dominant species is the plants that make up the highest
        proportion of the vegetation composition within the quadrat

    d.  Co-dominant is two or more species with equal proportions in the
        quadrat. Record each species in the dominant column.

    e.  Sub-dominant species are plants that have a lesser proportion of
        the vegetation composition than the dominant or co-dominant
        plants **and** make up at least 25% of the vegetation
        composition in the plot.

        1.  Exceptions to the 25% composition rule:

            a.  Important riparian species that are in the species
                composition (e.g., small portions of Nebraska sedge in
                the Kentucky bluegrass community

            b.  Noxious weeds or other plants may be listed as
                sub-dominant

    f.  Anchored rock (i.e., rock that is well imbedded in the bank) is
        considered a dominance type. [\>]{.underline} 50% Rock =
        Dominant. 25-49% Rock = sub-dominant.

    g.  Anchored wood (i.e., wood that is embedded in the bank or wedged
        in a way high flows will not likely move it.) is considered a
        vegetation dominance type. [\>]{.underline} 50% Wood = Dominant.
        25-49% Wood = sub-dominant.

**STREAMBANK ALTERATION**

1.  Use the entire 42 X 50 cm plot with the center bar on the greenline.
    Determine the number of lines (0 to 5) that intersect streambank
    alteration.

2.  When the greenline is on the top of a high vertical or near vertical
    bank, record shearing on the face of the bank and trampling within
    the frame along the edge of the stream **(Do not count trampling on
    the top of a high terrace above the active floodplain that is
    upslope from the greenline).**

3.  Streambank alteration is counted when at least ½ inch (1.2 cm) of
    soil is exposed by a hoof. Include both the depression and soil
    pushed up as a direct result of hoof action.

4.  Animal trails or areas obviously compacted by livestock or other
    animals and used during the current year are considered alteration.

5.  Roads (including 2-track) and tributary streams are **not** counted.

6.  When the greenline is away (more than about 6 meters or 20 feet)
    from the stream channel or terrace wall (see Appendix E, Figure 54),
    streambank alteration is read along the edge of the terrace wall or
    along the top of the streambank.

**STUBBLE HEIGHT**

1.  Select the key graminoid species appropriate for the site and
    management objectives.

2.  At each plot location, measure the average height of the leaves
    within a three (3) inch circle in the quadrat corner nearest the
    plot handle.

3.  Measure to the nearest one half inch (0.5 inches).

4.  If no key species occur nearest corner of the quadrat plot handle,
    then measure the nearest key species to the handle within the plot.

5.  If no key species occur within the plot, leave blank and go to next
    plot.

**[Streambank Stability]{.underline}**

**Step 1. What kind of bank?** Is the bank depositional (inside of
channel bends -- bar usually present) or erosional (outside of
bends/straight channel)?

**Step 2. Where is the bank?** Width of frame (50 cm) and the lower
elevational limit of a streambank is the scour line (elevation of the
ceiling of undercut banks or on depositional banks, the scour line is
the lower limit of sod-forming or perennial vegetation), up to the top
of the bank at bankfull elevation (the elevation of the upper limit of
bars, or the lowest terrace on erosional banks).

![](media/image6.png){width="3.6972222222222224in"
height="2.1354166666666665in"}

**Step 3. Is it Covered?** At least 50% aerial cover of perennial
vegetation, or of cobbles, six inches or larger, anchored large woody
debris (LWD) with a diameter of four inches or greater, or a combination
of the vegetation, rock, and/or LWD is at least 50 percent.

**Step 4. Is it stable? None of the following:** Either a
[fracture]{.underline} (crack is visibly obvious on the bank),
[slump]{.underline} (portion of bank has obviously slipped down, been
pushed down by trampling or shearing, etc.), or [slough]{.underline}
(soil is breaking or crumbling and falling away and is entering the
active stream channel) **or** the bank is steep (within 10 degrees of
vertical), or the bank is [bare or eroding]{.underline}, or a [bare
depositional bar occurs.]{.underline}

**CS -** covered and stable

**CU** -- covered and unstable

**US** -- uncovered and stable

**UU** -- uncovered and unstable

**FB --** false bank (old slump revegetated to the bank, covered and
stable)

**UN --** unclassified (side drainage channel)

For challenging situations, use the Classification Key in the Field
Book.

**[Streambank Stability Definitions]{.underline}**

**Covered Streambank:** Perennial or sod-forming vegetation covers at
least 50 percent of the streambank from scour line to 1^st^ terrace and
within the width of the plot. Cobbles, six inches or larger, anchored
large woody debris (LWD) with a diameter of four inches or greater, or a
combination of the vegetation, rock, and/or LWD is considered cover.

**Crack:** A visible fracture that has not separated two portions of a
streambank. Cracks indicate a high risk of breakdown .

**Depositional Bank:** A streambank associated with sand, silt, clay, or
gravel deposited by the stream.

**False Bank:** Stream banks have slumped in the past but have been
stabilized by relatively shallow-rooted vegetation. These banks are
usually situated below an older terrace. False banks vegetated with
deep-rooted riparian vegetation may be considered stable and should be
counted separately and added to the stable category.

**Floodplain Line:** The upper limit of the streambank. The floodplain
line is the level at which water first spills onto the lowest (1^st^)
terrace or floodplain.

**Fracture:** A crack is visibly obvious on the bank indicating that the
block of bank is about to slump or move into the stream.

**Scour Bank**: The streambank subject to the erosive energy of the
stream, depositional features are absent.

**Scour Line:** The lower elevational limit of a streambank. The scour
line is the elevation of the ceiling of undercut banks along steambanks.
On depositional banks, the scour line is the lower limit of sod-forming
or perennial vegetation. On small streams it is generally base flow.

**Slough (Sluff):** Soil breaking or crumbling falling away from a bank
(see Illustrations 1 & 2).

**Slumping Bank:** A streambank that has obviously slipped down. Cracks
may or may not be obvious, but the slump feature is obvious.

[]{.mark}

**Streambank:** Morphological features of the stream channel created by
the erosion and deposition forces of stream flow which control the
lateral movement of water (Platts *et al* 1987). They are that part of a
channel between the edge of the 1^st^ terrace and the scour line.
Streambanks are the steeper-sloped sides of the stream channel and are
most susceptible to erosion during high flow events (Platts *et al*
1987). Streambanks form above the streambed where vegetation, roots,
rocks, and other obstructions cause resistance to the flow energy
(Rosgen 1996). Stability along the edge of the 1^st^ terrace/floodplain
and down to the scour line are the most vulnerable to erosion by water
scouring because bankfull levels occur almost every year (Leopold 1994).
Streambanks may be considered the area between the edge of the 1^st^
terrace/floodplain and the scour line.

**Terrace:** A relative flat area adjacent to a stream or lake with an
abrupt steeper face adjoining the edge of the stream.

**1^st^ Terrace:** The first relatively flat area adjacent to and above
the edge of the water. It may be an active floodplain or an area too
high for the water to reach under the current climate and channel
conditions.