U.S. Department of the Interior

U.S. Geological Survey

Techniques and Methods 6 C–1

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Middle Mississippi River Decision Support System: 

User’s Manual

Chapter 1 of

Book 6, Modeling Techniques, Section C, Decision Support Systems

Rohweder, Zigler, Fox, and Hulse—Middle Mississippi River Decision Support System: User’s Manual—Techniques and Methods 6 C–1
Middle Mississippi River Decision Support System:

User’s Manual

By Jason J. Rohweder, Steven J. Zigler, Timothy J. Fox, and Steven N. Hulse

Chapter 1 of

Book 6, Modeling Techniques, Section C, Decision Support Systems

Techniques and Methods 6 C–1

U.S. Department of the Interior

U.S. Geological Survey
U.S. Department of the Interior

Gale A. Norton, Secretary

U.S. Geological Survey

Charles G. Groat, Director

U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia: 2005

For more information about the USGS and its products:

Telephone: 1-888-ASK-USGS

World Wide Web: http://www.usgs.gov/

Any use of trade, product, or firm names in this publication is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply 

endorsement by the U.S. Government.

Although this report is in the public domain, permission must be secured from the individual copyright owners to 

reproduce any copyrighted materials contained within this report.

Suggested citation:

Rohweder, J. J., S. J. Zigler, S. N. Hulse, and T. J. Fox, 2005, Techniques and Methods Book 6, Modeling Techniques, 

Section C, Decision Support Systems, Chapter 1, Middle Mississippi River Decision Support System: User’s Manual: 

U.S. Geological Survey, Techniques and Methods 6 C–1, 53 p. + CD -ROM.
iii

Contents

Abstract ................................................................................................... 1

Introduction ................................................................................................ 1

ArcView GIS Platform .................................................................................... 1

Discussion ................................................................................................ 1

Acknowledgments ....................................................................................... 2

References ................................................................................................ 2

Appendix 1: User’s Manual .............................................................................. 5

Section 1: General Information ........................................................................ 5

Minimum System Requirements ............................................................ 5

ArcView GIS Platform ........................................................................ 5

Using the Manual (Hard Copy/Digital) ...................................................... 5

Technical Support ........................................................................... 5

Section 2: Getting Started ........................................................................ 7

Installing the Middle Mississippi River Decision Support System ..................... 7

Copying MrSid Files to the Hard Drive ...................................................... 7

Starting ArcView and Opening the MMRDSS ............................................. 9

Section 3: Data .................................................................................... 11

GIS Data Themes .............................................................................. 11

Metadata ....................................................................................... 11

Section 4: Basic ArcView Functions ............................................................ 13

Creating Map Layouts ........................................................................ 13

Copying Graphics to Other Windows-Based Programs ................................. 13

Exporting Tables to Other Windows-Based Programs ................................. 14

Using Standard ArcView GIS Buttons and Tools .......................................... 16

Other GIS Data Theme Functions ......................................................... 21

Section 5: Advanced Tools–Geomorphology and Aquatic Habitat ........................... 22

Flood Frequency Data ........................................................................ 22

Sinuosity Index .............................................................................. 24

Shoreline Development Ratio ............................................................... 28

Inverse Distance Weighted Measure of River Training Structures ..................... 32

Hypsometric Integral ........................................................................ 35

Fragstats Version 3.3 Landscape Metrics ................................................ 39

Section 6: Clipping Tool ........................................................................... 42

Background .................................................................................... 42

Clipping Multiple Themes Using a User-Defined Polygon .............................. 42

Clipping Multiple Themes Using an Existing Polygon .................................... 46

Appendix 2: Geographic Information System Data Theme List .................................... 48

Appendix 3: FRAGSTATS Attribute List ............................................................... 51
iv

Figures

1. ArcView 3.x GIS interface ..................................................................... 2

1–1. ArcView’s online help window ............................................................... 6

2–1. Copying the MMRDSS–CD1 data to the hard drive ....................................... 7

2–2. Copying the MMRDSS–CD2 shapefiles directory to the data directory .................. 8

2–3. Copying the MrSid files to the hard drive ................................................... 8

2–4. Starting ArcView ........................................................................ 9

2–5. Selecting Open Project ........................................................................ 9

3–1. Displaying the active theme’s metadata ...................................................... 12

3–2. Sample metadata file. ........................................................................... 12

4–1. Creating a map layout ........................................................................... 13

4–2. Select a layout format from the Template Manager ....................................... 14

4–3. Finished map layout ........................................................................... 14

4–4. Selecting graphics to copy from the map layout .......................................... 15

4–5. ArcView’s project window. ..................................................................... 15

4–6. Exporting tables. ................................................................................. 16

4–7. ArcView Graphical User Interface for View documents. ................................. 16

4–8. Zoom In, Zoom Out, Pan, and Zoom to Active Themes tools and button .................. 17

4–9. Zoom to River Mile(s) window ............................................................... 17

4–10. Identify tool ....................................................................................... 18

4–11. Label tool ....................................................................................... 18

4–12. Setting theme properties ..................................................................... 19

4–13. Measure and Draw tools ..................................................................... 19

4–14. Select Query Target ........................................................................... 20

4–15. Query Builder .................................................................................... 20

4–16. Query Builder Results. ........................................................................ 21

4–17. Active Theme(s) to Top. ........................................................................ 21

5–1. Wlosinski and Wlosinski (2001) Flood Data menu item .................................... 22

5–2. Select a River Mile .............................................................................. 23

5–3. Flood Data Output .............................................................................. 23

5–4. Calculating Sinuosity Index .................................................................. 24

5–5. Starting Sinuosity Index Tool .................................................................. 25

5–6. Sinuosity Index tool dialog ..................................................................... 25

5–7. Sinuosity Index tool dialog displaying focal point distance options ..................... 26

5–8. Sinuosity Index Help File. ..................................................................... 27

5–9. Specify Output Directory ..................................................................... 27

5–10. Sinuosity Index Outputs ........................................................................ 28

5–11. Calculating Shoreline Development Ratio ................................................... 29

5–12. Starting Shoreline Development Ratio Tool. ................................................ 29

5–13. Shoreline Development Ratio input dialog ................................................... 30

5–14. Shoreline Development Ratio Help File. ...................................................... 31

5–15. Specify Output Directory ..................................................................... 31

5–16. Shoreline Development Ratio Outputs ...................................................... 32
v

5–17. Starting Inverse Distance Weighted Measure of Training Structures by

River Mile Tool. ................................................................................. 33

5–18. Select Appropriate Scale Value ............................................................... 33

5–19. Inverse Distance Weighted Measure of Training Structures Help File .................. 34

5–20. Specify Output Directory ..................................................................... 34

5–21. Inverse Distance Weighted Measure of River Training Structures Outputs ............ 35

5–22. Starting Hypsometric Integral Tool ............................................................ 36

5–23. Select Hypsometric Integral Output ......................................................... 37

5–24. Hypsometric Integral Help File ............................................................... 37

5–25. Specify Output Directory ..................................................................... 38

5–26. Hypsometric Integral Output .................................................................. 38

5–27. Starting Landscape Metrics Tool ............................................................ 39

5–28. Select Landscape Metrics Output ............................................................ 39 

5–29. Landscape Metrics Help File .................................................................. 40

5–30. Specify Output Directory ..................................................................... 40

5–31. Landscape Metrics Output ..................................................................... 41

6–1. Use the Clipping Tool to create a clipping polygon ....................................... 42

6–2. Dialog box used to designate output specification for the Clipping Tool ............... 43

6–3. Extracted files drawn in the View window after the clipping procedure ............... 44

6–4. Charts created when the example clipping procedure is completed ..................... 44

6–5. Summary chart for one of the clipped themes ............................................. 45

6–6. Comparison chart for all clipped themes showing the Sand/Mud and

Wet Forest classes ........................................................................... 45

6–7. Summary table for one of the clipped themes ............................................. 46

6–8. Comparison table for all clipped themes showing acreages for each class ............ 46

6–9. Using a preexisting data theme to clip other data .......................................... 47

6–10. Data extracted by using a preexisting data theme .......................................... 47
Abstract

This user’s manual describes the Middle Mississippi 

River Decision Support System (MMRDSS) and gives detailed 

examples on its use. The MMRDSS provides a framework 

to assist decision makers regarding natural resource issues 

in the Middle Mississippi River floodplain. The MMRDSS 

is designed to provide users with a spatially explicit tool for 

tasks, such as inventorying existing knowledge, developing 

models to investigate the potential effects of management 

decisions, generating hypotheses to advance scientific understanding, and developing scientifically defensible studies and 

monitoring. The MMRDSS also includes advanced tools to 

assist users in evaluating differences in complexity, connectivity, and structure of aquatic habitats among river reaches. 

The Environmental Systems Research Institute ArcView 3.x 

platform was used to create and package the data and tools of 

the MMRDSS.

Introduction

The Middle Mississippi River is described as the section 

of the Mississippi River between the confluence of the Missouri and Ohio Rivers. The Middle Mississippi River and its 

floodplain have been substantially modified to accommodate 

multiple human uses that include urban development, navigation, and agriculture. Consequently, policy makers in state and 

Federal agencies frequently face difficult decisions regarding 

management of biological resources in the river. The Middle 

Mississippi River Decision Support System (MMRDSS) provides a framework to assist decision makers regarding natural 

resource issues in the Middle Mississippi River floodplain. 

The MMRDSS is designed to provide users with a spatially 

explicit tool for tasks, such as inventorying existing knowledge, developing models to investigate the potential effects 

of management decisions, generating hypotheses to advance 

scientific understanding, and developing scientifically defensible studies and monitoring. To facilitate development of the 

Decision Support System (DSS), an interagency workshop 

was held in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, in February 2002. The 

workshop focused on hydrologic and other system drivers of 

aquatic habitats and their role structuring aquatic habitats and 

habitat connectivity. Workshop participants identified geographic information system (GIS) data themes that might be 

useful for addressing key natural resource issues in the Middle 

Mississippi River floodplain such as pallid sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus albus), habitat restoration, floodplain connectivity, 

and ecologically meaningful classification systems for large 

river habitats. 

Decision support systems are intended to assist managers and researchers in their decision processes by facilitating 

semi-structured or unstructured tasks. GIS-based DSSs can 

provide a common platform for gathering spatial data from 

disparate state, Federal, and nongovernment sources. They 

often incorporate tools to enable “on-the-fly” tasks, such as 

mapping, queries, quantification of data elements, modeling, 

and output. 

ArcView GIS Platform

A GIS is a tool that allows the user to analyze, display, 

create, edit, and output geographically referenced data. 

Environmental System Research Institute’s (ESRI; Redlands, 

CA) ArcView 3.x software was used as the platform for the 

MMRDSS. ArcView was selected because of its relative easeof-use, easily customized interface, powerful analytical tools, 

low cost, and widespread availability.

Discussion

The MMRDSS is a modified ArcView 3.x GIS project 

(fig. 1). Within the MMRDSS, the user has access to a variety 

of spatial data themes corresponding to the Middle Mississippi River. The ArcView project has also been programmed 

to include several advanced tools to assist the user in their 

decision making. 

Middle Mississippi River Decision Support System:

User’s Manual

By Jason J. Rohweder,1 Steven J. Zigler,1 Timothy J. Fox,1 and Steven N. Hulse2

1

U.S. Geological Survey, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, 

2630 Fanta Reed Road, La Crosse, Wisconsin 54603

2

U.S. Geological Survey, Department of Fisheries and Wildlife Services, 

Cooperative Research Unit, 302 ABNR Building, University of Missouri, 

Columbia, Missouri 65211
2 Middle Mississippi River Decision Support System: User’s Manual

The User’s Manual for the MMRDSS is provided in 

Appendix 1. Appendix 2 lists GIS data themes used in the 

MMRDSS. Appendix 3 lists the metrics calculated for aquatic 

area classifications and bathymetry using FRAGSTATS Version 3.3 (McGarigal et al. 2002).

The MMRDSS was developed with the ESRI Avenue 

macro-language and can be used with any ArcView version 

3.x. Output from the tools can be further enhanced by using 

ArcView’s GIS tools and by incorporating user data. The 

MMRDSS will not work within ArcView versions 8.x and 

9.x, or ArcGIS.

Acknowledgments

We thank Carl Korschgen, Douglas Olsen, Mark Laustrup, Robert Jacobson, Linda Leake, Barry Johnson, Kirk 

Lohman, and Georginia Ardinger for their thoughtful comments on various versions of this manual. Robert Hrabik, 

Valerie Barko, and Carl Korschgen also provided helpful guidance for developing the Middle Mississippi River Decision 

Support System.

References

Amoros, C., and G. Bornette, 2002, Connectivity and biocomplexity in waterbodies of riverine floodplains: Freshwater 

Biology, v. 47, p. 761–776.

Awasthi, K. D., B. K. Sitaula, B. R. Singh, and R. M. Bajacharaya, 2002, Land-use change in two Nepalese watersheds: 

GIS and geomorphometric analysis: Land Degradation and 

Development, v. 13, p. 495–513.

DeHaan, H. C., T. J. Fox, C. E. Korschgen, C. H. Theiling, 

and J. J. Rohweder, 2000, Habitat Needs Assessment GIS 

Query Tool for the Upper Mississippi River System: User’s 

Manual: La Crosse, Wis. Prepared for the U.S. Army Corps 

of Engineers, St. Louis District, Missouri.

Fausch, K. D., C. E. Torgersen, C. V. Baxter, and H.W. Li, 

2002, Landscapes to riverscapes: bridging the gap between 

research and conservation of stream fishes: BioScience, 

v. 52, p. 483–498.

Forman, R. T. T., and M. Godron, 1984, Landscape ecology: 

New York, Wiley.

Figure 1. ArcView 3.x GIS interface.
Heading 1 3

Haltuch, M. A., and P. A. Berkman, 2000, Geographic information system (GIS) analysis of ecosystem invasion: exotic 

mussels in Lake Erie: Limnology and Oceanography, v. 45, 

p. 1778–1787.

Harlin, J. M., 1978, Statistical moments of the hypsometric 

curve and its density function: Mathematical Geology, v. 10, 

p. 59–72.

Hulse, S. N., and D. L. Galat, 2003, Middle Mississippi River 

Decision Support System Year End Project Progress Report 

and Landscape Attributes Preliminary Product Release: 

Columbia, Mo., U.S. Geological Survey, Missouri Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Unit report, prepared for the U.S. 

Geological Survey, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences 

Center, La Crosse, Wisconsin.

Hurtrez, J.–E., F. Lucazeau, J. Lave, and J.–P. Avouac, 1999, 

Investigation of the relationships between basin morphology, tectonic uplift, and denudation from the study of an 

active fold belt in the Siwalik Hills, central Nepal: Journal 

of Geophysical Research, v. 104, B6, p. 12779–12796.

Hurtrez, J.–E., and F. Lucazeau, 1999, Effect of drainage area 

on hypsometry from an analysis of small-scale drainage 

basins in the Siwalik Hills (Central Nepal): Earth Surface 

Processes and Landforms, v. 24, p. 799–808.

Johnson, B. L., W. B. Richardson, and T. J. Naimo, 1995, Past, 

present, and future concepts in large river ecology: BioScience, v. 45, p. 134–141.

Koel, T. M., 2004, Spatial variation in fish species richness 

of the Upper Mississippi River System: Transactions of the 

American Fisheries Society, v. 133, p. 984–1003.

Lee, J., and D. W. S. Wong, 2001, Statistical analysis with 

ArcView GIS: New York, Wiley.

Legendre, P., and L. Legendre, 1998, Numerical ecology: 

Amsterdam, The Netherlands, Elsevier Science B.V.

Leopold, L. B., M. G . Wolman, and J. P. Miller, 1964, Fluvial 

processes in geomorphology: San Francisco, W.H. Freeman 

and Company.

Lo, C. P., and A. K. W. Yeung, 2002, Concepts and techniques 

of geographic information systems: Upper Saddle River,

N. J., Prentice Hall.

Luo, W., 1998, Hypsometric analysis with a geographic

information system: Computers and Geosciences, v. 24,

p. 815–821.

McGarigal, K., S. A. Cushman, M. C. Neel, and E. Ene, 

2002, FRAGSTATS: spatial pattern analysis program for 

categorical maps. Computer software program produced by 

the authors at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. 

Available at the following web site: www.umass.edu/landeco/research/fragstats/fragstats.html.

Wildhaber, M. L., P. J. Lamberson, and D. L. Galat, 2003, A 

comparison of measures of riverbed form for evaluating 

distributions of benthic fishes: North American Journal of 

Fisheries Management, v. 23, p. 543–557.

Wlosinski, J. H., and L. B. Wlosinski, 2001, Predicting flood 

potential to assist reforestation for the Upper Mississippi 

River System: La Crosse, Wis., U.S. Geological Survey, 

Project Status Report PSR 2001–01. Available at the following web site: http://www.umesc.usgs.gov/data_library/

water_elevation/flood_potential.html.

References
 5

Appendix 1: User’s Manual

Section 1: General Information

Minimum System Requirements

The minimum system requirements include a personal computer with a Pentium processor, 32 MB random access memory, 

Microsoft Windows 95/98/2000/NT/XP, 1.2 GB hard drive space, and Environmental Systems Research Institute’s (ESRI; 

Redlands, CA) ArcView 3.x software. Users must have a basic knowledge of computers and ESRI’s ArcView program. This 

software will not work within ArcView versions 8.x and 9.x, or ArcGIS.

ArcView GIS Platform

A Geographic Information System (GIS) is a tool that allows the user to analyze, display, create, edit, and output geographically referenced data. The ESRI’s ArcView 3.x software was used as the platform for the Middle Mississippi River Decision 

Support System (MMRDSS). ArcView was selected because of its relative ease-of-use, easily customized interface, powerful 

analytical tools, low cost, and widespread availability.

Using the Manual (Hard Copy/Digital)

This manual was developed to assist people in using the MMRDSS with the assumption that users have a basic knowledge of computers and ESRI’s ArcView 3.x GIS software. The manual is similar in structure to other software user’s manuals 

available today. Throughout the manual, certain conventions have been applied. Field names are in bold and italics, file names 

are in italics, and features that are to be selected by the user are in bold. Section 1 of the manual provides an introduction and 

information (e.g., system requirements) needed before installing the tools, section 2 details the tool installation process, section 3 reviews the data of the MMRDSS, section 4 discusses several basic ArcView functions, and sections 5 and 6 describe the 

advanced geospatial and analysis tools included within the MMRDSS.

A digital copy of the manual is also available in PDF format in the \mid_miss_dss\user_manual\ directory on MMRDSS–

CD1 and is readable by Adobe Acrobat Reader. This digital version has hypertext that allows the user to navigate to the sections 

of the manual.

ArcView’s online help (fig. 1–1) is also available to answer questions about ArcView 3.x and its analytical tools.

Technical Support

This manual and ArcView’s online help should address the majority of the user’s questions. For additional help, contact the 

following:

U. S. Geological Survey

Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center

Geospatial Sciences and Decision Support Laboratory

2630 Fanta Reed Road

La Crosse, Wisconsin 54603

Telephone: (608) 783–6451

Appendix 1: User’s Manual Section 1: General Information
6 Middle Mississippi River Decision Support System: User’s Manual

Figure 1–1. ArcView’s online help window.
 7

Section 2: Getting Started

Installing the Middle Mississippi River Decision Support System

Important: Before the MMRDSS is installed, ensure that 1.2 GB of free space are available on the hard drive to copy all the 

tools and data from the CD-ROMs. The CD-ROMs are attached to the inside of the back cover of this manual.

1. Insert the MMRDSS–CD1 into the computer’s CD-ROM drive.

2. Open Windows Explorer on the computer by clicking on the Start button, navigate to Programs -> Accessories -> Windows Explorer.

3. In Windows Explorer, double-click on the CD-ROM drive on the computer.

4. Copy the entire directory \mid_miss_dss\ (548 MB) from the MMRDSS–CD1 to the computer at the root level of any hard 

drive (e.g., C:\fig. 2–1). Since the ArcView project links to data copied from the CD-ROM, it is imperative that you 

copy the \mid_miss_dss\ directory to the root level and not into another existing directory!

5. Once the files are copied, insert the MMRDSS–CD2 into the computer’s CD-ROM drive.

6 In Windows Explorer, double-click on the CD-ROM drive on the computer.

7. Copy the entire directory \shapefiles\ (617 MB) from the MMRDSS–CD2 to the directory \mid_miss_dss\data\ that was 

copied previously (fig. 2–2). 

Copying MrSid Files to the Hard Drive

1. Two files have been included with the MMRDSS that allow the user to view compressed image files (MrSid; Lizardtech; 

Seattle, WA) within ArcView. Copy these files to the location on the hard drive where you have installed ArcView. 

2. First, copy the file mrsid.avx to the \EXT32\ directory. If ArcView is installed on the C drive, there will be a directory C:\

ESRI\. If the directory is not there, check the other possibilities on the computer (e.g., D:\ESRI\). Once you have located the 

\ESRI\ directory, navigate to the directory \ESRI\AV_GIS30\ARCVIEW\EXT32\.

3. Next, copy the file \mid_miss_dss\data\misc\MrSid_files\mrsid.avx to this directory (\ESRI\AV_GIS30\ARCVIEW\EXT32\; 

fig. 2–3).

4. If a window opens and contains the text, “This folder already contains a file named ‘mrsid.avx’, would you like to replace 

the existing file,” check to see if the existing file displayed is older than the file you are copying. If the existing file is older, 

click on the Yes button, if not, click on the No button.

5. Next, copy the file \mid_miss_dss\data\misc\MrSid_files\AVMrSID.dll\ to the directory \ESRI\AV_GIS30\ARCVIEW\BIN32\

(fig. 2–3).

6. If a window opens and contains the text “This folder already contains a file named ‘avmrsid.dll’, would you like to replace 

the existing file” check to see if the existing file displayed is older than the file you are copying. If the existing file is older, 

click on the Yes button, if not, click on the No button. 

7. Once these files are copied, you will be able to use the MMRDSS.

Figure 2–1. Copying the MMRDSS–CD1 data to the hard drive.

Appendix 1: User’s Manual Section 2: Getting Started
8 Middle Mississippi River Decision Support System: User’s Manual

Figure 2–2. Copying the MMRDSS–CD2 shapefiles directory to the data directory.

Figure 2–3. Copying the MrSid files to the hard drive.
 9

Starting ArcView and Opening the MMRDSS

1. Click on the Windows Start button.

2. From the Start menu, navigate to Programs -> ESRI -> ArcView GIS 3.x -> and select “ArcView GIS 3.x” to bring up 

ArcView (fig. 2–4).

3. Once ArcView has started, select Open Project... from the File menu options (fig. 2–5).

Figure 2–4. Starting ArcView.

Figure 2–5. Selecting Open Project.

Appendix 1: User’s Manual Section 2: Getting Started
10 Middle Mississippi River Decision Support System: User’s Manual

4. In the Open Project dialog window, select ArcView project \mid_miss_dss\arcview_3x\mid_miss_dss.apr and click on the 

OK button (fig. 2–5).

5. The MMRDSS opens within ArcView with the MrSid Image Support extension activated.

6. There is a second ArcView project within \mid_miss_dss\arcview_3x\ called mid_miss_dss_bkp.apr. This is a backup copy 

of the original in case the original is deleted or corrupted.
 11

Section 3: Data

GIS Data Themes

The GIS data (i.e., themes) were collected and added to the MMRDSS on the basis of their potential application to natural 

resource issues. The themes in the MMRDSS were compiled from private, state and Federal agencies, universities, and other 

individuals. It is important to note that the themes contained within the MMRDSS vary in scale, coverage area, accuracy, 

and precision. The U.S. Geological Survey does not assume responsibility for inaccuracies with the themes collected. It is 

the user’s responsibility to assess metadata and verify that the individual data themes are sufficient for their purposes.

The format of each theme was checked to ensure seamless integration within the MMRDSS. This involved several steps.

1. Themes in formats different than an ArcView Shapefile were converted as follows: 

a. The ARC/INFO coverages were converted to shapefiles using ArcView 3.x. 

b. Intergraph design files from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers were converted from their original format (.dgn) to 

shapefiles using ArcGIS ArcToolbox (ESRI; Redlands, CA). 

c. The ARC/INFO grids were converted to shapefiles using ArcView 3.x Spatial Analyst (ESRI; Redlands, CA).

d. Point data in Excel spreadsheets were converted to shapefiles using ArcView 3.x.

e. Large georeferenced image files were converted from their original format to Lizardtech’s MrSID format (.sid), which 

compresses image files to minimize file storage space.

2. Themes in shapefile format were projected from their original spatial projection into the one selected for the MMRDSS 

using ArcView’s Projector extension. This projection is described as follows:

a. PROJECTION: Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM)

b. UTM ZONE NUMBER: 15

c. PROJECTION UNITS: Meters

d. HORIZONTAL DATUM: North American Datum of 1927

e. ELLIPSOID NAME: Clarke 1866

The projected themes were then added to the View document within ArcView. Appendix 2 contains a list of GIS data 

themes within the MMRDSS.

Metadata

Metadata were collected or created using ESRI’s ArcCatalog for all the themes within the MMRDSS. These metadata 

were copied to the same directory on the hard drive as the shapefile or georeferenced image. The metadata for each theme can 

be viewed within the MMRDSS. To open the file for viewing, the desired data theme must be active within the MMRDSS View 

window. A theme is active if it is selected within the View’s table of contents and a raised appearance surrounds the theme’s 

name and legend (fig. 3–1).

To open the metadata file, select Display Themes Metadata from the Mid_miss_tools menu options. Alternatively, click 

on the Display Metadata button . The metadata text file opens in a new ArcView window document (fig. 3–2).

Appendix 1: User’s Manual Section 3: Data
12 Middle Mississippi River Decision Support System: User’s Manual

Figure 3–1. Displaying the active theme’s metadata.

Figure 3–2. Sample metadata file.
 13

Section 4: Basic ArcView Functions

Creating Map Layouts

Map layouts for printing and viewing can be created using the MMRDSS. To create a map layout, make sure at least one 

theme is checked within the Vew document’s table of contents. 

1. Select Create Map Layout... from the Mid_miss_tools menu options (fig. 4–1).

2. Select the desired map layout style and click on the OK button 

(fig. 4–2).

3. A finished map layout opens with the themes visible within the view added along with a legend, title, north arrow, and 

scale bar (fig. 4–3). Elements within the layout (map, title, legend, scale bar, north arrow) can be moved and resized 

by selecting them with the Pointer Tool .

Copying Graphics to Other Windows-Based Programs

Layout graphics generated by the MMRDSS can be copied to other computer programs, such as Microsoft PowerPoint.

1. Click on the Pointer Tool .

3. Select Copy from the Edit menu options.

4. Start Microsoft PowerPoint and insert a new slide if one does not exist.

5. Select Paste from the Edit menu options. The copied graphics are now displayed on the PowerPoint slide. The graphics can 

be moved and resized as necessary.

Figure 4–1. Creating a map layout.

Appendix 1: User’s Manual Section 4: Basic ArcView Functions
14 Middle Mississippi River Decision Support System: User’s Manual

6. The entire map display can also be exported from ArcView as a digital image file (e.g., Windows Bitmap [.bmp], JPEG 

[jpg], etc.) by selecting Export... from the File menu options. 

7. A window opens prompting the user to select a filename, destination, and file type.

Exporting Tables to Other Windows-Based Programs

Tables within ArcView can be exported to other programs, such as Microsoft Excel, for example:

1. Within the ArcView Project Window, click on the Tables icon (fig. 4–5). Select the UMESC-LTRMP Fall 1997 Fisheries 

Query Table and click on the Open button.

Figure 4–2. Select a layout format from the 

Template Manager.

Figure 4–3. Finished map layout.
Appendix 1: User’s Manual Section 4: Basic ArcView Functions 15

Figure 4–4. Selecting graphics to copy from the map layout.

Figure 4–5. ArcView’s project window.
16 Middle Mississippi River Decision Support System: User’s Manual

2. With the table open, select Export... from the File menu options (fig. 4–6). If any records are selected within the table, only 

those records will be exported.

3. In the Export Table window, select the Delimited Text format and click on the OK button.

4. In the next window, select the filename and location to save the table on the hard drive.

5. Start Microsoft Excel.

6. In Excel, select Open from the File menu options and set the Files of Type: box to All Files (*.*).

7. Navigate to the directory where you saved the file in step 4, select the exported table file (.txt), and then click on the 

Open button. 

8. Once the Text Import Wizard window opens, choose Delimited as the original data type and click on the Next button.

9. Click the check box next to Comma and click on the Finish button. The table is now loaded into Microsoft Excel as a 

spreadsheet.

Using Standard ArcView GIS Buttons and Tools

ArcView GIS has several standard buttons and tools that may be used to alter the display, query the data, and in other 

ways enhance the capabilities of the MMRDSS. These buttons and tools are accessed using ArcView’s graphical user interface 

(fig. 4–7). Make the theme 2000 LTRMP Land Cover/Land Use active and visible (checked) for the following exercises. 

Figure 4–7. ArcView Graphical User Interface for View documents.

Figure 4–6. Exporting tables.
 17

The Zoom In , Zoom Out , and Pan Tools (fig. 4–8) allow the user to change the display within the View 

window. The Zoom to Active Themes button changes the display to the geographic extent of the active theme(s) within the 

View. 

By selecting Zoom to River Mile from the Mid_miss_tools menu options, the display within the view can be changed to 

view only the extent of the two river miles selected (fig. 4–9). This function can also be accessed by pressing the Zoom to River 

Mile Tool .

The Identify Tool (fig. 4–10) displays the tabular information about a theme’s feature. This tool is used by clicking an 

active themes feature with the tool depressed. 

The Label Tool (fig. 4–11) draws textual tabular information on the view. To designate the table attribute labeled within the 

display, select Properties from the Theme menu options. Click on the Text Labels icon and select the field from the drop-down 

menu for the Label Field (fig. 4–12).

The Measure and Draw Tools (fig. 4–13) allow linear and area measurements within the view. For this example, the Draw 

Polygon Tool was selected.

The Query Builder selects records within a theme’s feature attribute table, and these selected records are displayed as 

highlighted records within the table and highlighted features within the view. Make the theme UMESC-LTRMP Summer 1994 

Fisheries Component Data active and visible by checking it within the View’s table of contents. Next, click on the Query 

Builder button . We included additional programming for the MMRDSS to prompt the user to either Query Linked Query 

Table or to Query Feature Attribute Table for the UMESC-LTRMP Fisheries Component Data themes. This was done because 

there are several records for each sampling point. The collected sampling data cannot be included within the theme’s feature 

attribute table that represents a one-to-one relation. Conversely, the linked table can support many-to-one relationships. For this 

exercise, select the option Query Linked Query Table (fig. 4–14). 

Appendix 1: User’s Manual Section 4: Basic ArcView Functions

Figure 4–9. Zoom to River Mile(s) window.

Figure 4–8. Zoom In, Zoom Out, Pan, and Zoom to Active Themes tools and button.
18 Middle Mississippi River Decision Support System: User’s Manual

Figure 4–10. Identify tool.

Figure 4–11. Label tool.
 19

Figure 4–12. Setting theme properties.

Appendix 1: User’s Manual Section 4: Basic ArcView Functions

Figure 4–13. Measure and Draw tools.
20 Middle Mississippi River Decision Support System: User’s Manual

Within the Query Builder window, construct the query ( [Species] = “Shovelnose sturgeon” ) and click on the New Set button (fig. 4–15). Figure 4–16 displays the results of the query.

Figure 4–14. Select Query Target.

Figure 4–15. Query Builder.
 21

Other GIS Data Theme Functions

The GIS Data Themes, besides those existing within the View, can be added using the Add Theme button .

Themes that already are loaded within the View can also be deleted by selecting those themes and pressing the Delete 

Theme(s) button , a programming addition to the MMRDSS.

Themes within the View’s table of contents can be moved from any position to either the top of the table of contents 

(fig. 4–17) or to the bottom of the table of contents . If multiple themes are selected, they all will be moved.

Figure 4–16. Query Builder Results.

Appendix 1: User’s Manual Section 4: Basic ArcView Functions

Figure 4–17. Active Theme(s) to Top.
22 Middle Mississippi River Decision Support System: User’s Manual

Section 5: Advanced Tools–Geomorphology and Aquatic Habitat

The MMRDSS Mid_miss_tools menu options (fig. 5–1) provide access to a suite of program tools to assist users in evaluating differences in complexity, connectivity, and structure of aquatic habitats among river reaches. These program tools, which 

were developed for the MMRDSS as ArcView Avenue scripts, generate information and GIS themes derived from floodplain 

planforms, including flood frequency, sinuosity, hypsometric integral, and landscape metrics. Justification and proposed hypotheses for development of tools (except flood frequency data) are provided in Hulse and Galat (2003). Tool descriptions include 

excerpts from that document.

The biological relevance of the metrics calculated by these tools has not been tested in the Middle Mississippi River, but 

is grounded in sound ecological theory and evidence that floodplain planform influences biotic communities and processes in 

rivers (Johnson and others, 1995; Amoros and Bornette, 2002; Fausch and others, 2002; Wildhaber and others, 2003; Koel, 

2004). Because biological and physical processes in rivers are strongly tied to spatial scale and the metrics are scale-dependent, 

the tools incorporate flexibility to calculate metrics at various scales. It is up to the user to select the appropriate scale to address 

management and research questions.

Flood Frequency Data

Tabular data included within the MMRDSS displays the percentage of chance for flooding per year, at different elevations, 

and for different durations within the Middle Mississippi River (Wlosinski and Wlosinski, 2001). 

1. To display these data, select Flood Frequency Data from the Mid_miss_tools menu options (fig. 5–1).

2. Next, Select a River mile to view the corresponding flood data (fig. 5–2) and click on the OK button.

Figure 5–1. Wlosinski and Wlosinski (2001) Flood Data menu item.
 23

3. A table opens displaying the elevations (in feet above mean sea level) and the percent chance of flooding for different durations at that elevation. A text file also opens (fig. 5–3) with background information and methods used to calculate flood 

frequencies (Wlosinski and Wlosinski, 2001).

Appendix 1: User’s Manual Section 5: Advanced Tools—Geomorphology and Aquatic Habitat

Figure 5–2. Select a River Mile.

Figure 5–3. Flood Data Output.
24 Middle Mississippi River Decision Support System: User’s Manual

Sinuosity Index

River channel sinuosity may characterize channel planform complexity when evaluated at an appropriate spatial scale. 

This tool calculates the Sinuosity Index (SI) of a given river reach using two themes. These themes do not need to be added 

to the view. 

• The first theme is a polyline representing the channel thalweg. For the MMRDSS, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ 

sail line was used to approximate the Middle Mississippi River thalweg.

• The second theme consists of focal points along the thalweg where SI will be calculated. 

The equation for SI used in the MMRDSS is based on Leopold and others (1964), where SI is calculated as the ratio of 

channel length to down valley length (SI = Ls/Lv; fig. 5–4). The tool calculates SI at each focal point by measuring the user-specified distance upstream and downstream along the channel (Ls

; meandering channel length) then dividing by the linear distance 

between these points not following the channel (Lv; down valley length). 

Because scale is an important factor in calculating SI, the Sinuosity Index Tool provides users with four scale options. As 

an extreme example, consider the channel length to be near zero. In this scenario, the index is not useful as an explanatory variable of planform complexity because its expected value is near 1.0 (Ls

 ~Lv). Conversely, the single value of SI characterizing an 

entire river is expected to be ≥1.0, which is only useful when comparing variability among rivers. 

1. To start the tool, select Calculate Sinuosity by River Mile from the Mid_miss_tools menu options (fig. 5–5).

2. Next, Select total distance upstream and downstream of each focal point along river thalweg (scale) for calculating the Sinuosity Index (fig. 5–6). The first three options have already been preprocessed for the user using the Sinuosity 

Index Tool. This was done so the user could bypass lengthy processing times and rapidly access these results. The distance 

between focal points for these scale options was 100 meters.

Figure 5–4. Calculating Sinuosity Index.
 25

a. The first option is 1000 meters (min), which was determined to be the minimum useful value for the scale of the 

Middle Mississippi River. However, values below 1000 meters may be appropriate for other highly sinuous streams. 

b. The second option is 7200 meters *. This value represents the mean channel length between inflection points of six 

prominent Middle Mississippi River meanders, divided by two, and rounded to the nearest 100. 

c. The third option is 161500 meters (max). This is the maximum value and represents the total length of the Middle 

Mississippi River, divided by two. Selecting this option produces only one point and one polygon within the output 

themes. This number represents the SI of the Middle Mississippi River as a whole. 

Appendix 1: User’s Manual Section 5: Advanced Tools—Geomorphology and Aquatic Habitat

Figure 5–5. Starting Sinuosity Index Tool.

Figure 5–6. Sinuosity Index tool dialog.
26 Middle Mississippi River Decision Support System: User’s Manual

d. The last option is Other (meters):. This option allows the user to input their own scale into the equation and also to 

choose from three different focal point distances (100, 200, and 400 meters). Selecting this option requires substantially more processing time by the computer. The user must select an integer value between 1000 (min) and 161500 

(max) for scale. The scale value will be rounded to the nearest 100, 200, or 400 meters depending on the selected 

focal point distance that was selected. Figure 5–7 displays the Sinuosity Index Tool’s input dialog window when the 

Other (meters): option is selected; notice the focal point distance options are now visible.

3. Click on the Help button to display a text file describing the use of the SI Tool (fig. 5–8).

4. Select the scale option Other (meters): and enter 10000 in the text box to the right.

5. Set the distance between each focal point to be 400 meters and click on the OK button (fig. 5–7).

6. A window opens prompting where on the computer’s hard drive to save the outputs. Select a directory and click on the OK

button (fig. 5–9).

Once ArcView has processed the scripts, the output data are saved to the specified directory and two output shapefiles are 

added to the view (fig. 5–10).

This tool creates a theme, Sinuosity Index Points (10000m), representing focal points spaced 400 meters apart along the sail 

line. This theme is attributed with the SI calculated at the scale selected (Si), the mean SI using three spatial scales (Si_3scales), 

and the total distance traveled upstream to each individual focal point (Walkdist).

To incorporate scale-dependent variability, the mean SI was calculated for three spatial scales including the entire Middle 

Mississippi River (RM 1–202 and SI=1.4099), the Long Term Resource Monitoring Program (LTRMP) Open River Reach 

(RM 29–80 and SI=1.2245), and the SI at each point along the sail line using mean meander lengths of (14440 m) in the 

numerator. 

The larger the SI, the more sinuous that particular river segment is. The tool also creates a polygon theme Sinuosity Index 

by RM (10000 m) representing river mile segments with each separate polygon attributed by the average sinuosity index (Si_ave) 

of all the focal points that fall within that particular river mile polygon, the mean SI using three spatial scales (Si_3scales) for the 

entire river mile polygon, and the river mile number for each polygon (River_mile). Metadata are created for each theme and are 

accessible by clicking on the Display Metadata button .

Figure 5–7. Sinuosity Index tool dialog displaying focal point distance options.
 27

Figure 5–8. Sinuosity Index Help File.

Appendix 1: User’s Manual Section 5: Advanced Tools—Geomorphology and Aquatic Habitat

Figure 5–9. Specify Output Directory.
28 Middle Mississippi River Decision Support System: User’s Manual

Shoreline Development Ratio

Shoreline convolution may alter physical and biological processes within a water body and indicate heterogeneity and complexity of aquatic habitats. Thus, shoreline convolution may correlate with species richness or abundance. A water body characterized by a highly convoluted shoreline may have greater richness of habitat types than a water body with a nonconvoluted 

shoreline.

This tool calculates the Shoreline Development Ratio (SDR) using a polyline theme to approximate the study area shoreline. Three themes are used to calculate SDR within the tool. The first theme is a reference polyline that the program travels 

upstream as it calculates SDR. The second theme consists of focal points along the polyline where each SDR is calculated. The 

third theme is a polyline theme representing the shoreline. For the MMRDSS, three themes were used to determine SDR. These 

themes do not need to be added to the view.

• For the first theme, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ sail line was used to approximate the Middle Mississippi 

River's (MMR) thalweg.

• The second theme was constructed for the MMRDSS using a script that places points evenly along the sail line.

• The third theme is a polyline theme developed using the 2000 Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center 

(UMESC)/LTRMP Land Use/Land Cover representing the shoreline of the Middle Mississippi River.

The SDR is calculated similar to shoreline development for lakes as described by Forman and Godron (1984). A lake with 

minimal shoreline development (i.e., complexity) approximates a circle, but a river or stream shoreline more closely approximates two parallel lines at minimum complexity. The SDR varies with spatial scale. The SDR is calculated by dividing the 

actual shoreline length Ls within a rectangular moving window by the total length of two sides of the window Lt (i.e., two parallel lines on the right and left banks, which is the theoretical minimum shoreline length; fig. 5–11). The total length of two sides 

of the window is inputted by the user. The SDR approaches its maximum value (1.0) when the right and left shorelines are linear 

and parallel as might be expected in a highly channelized system.

Figure 5–10. Sinuosity Index Outputs.
 29

1. To start the tool, select Calculate Shoreline Development Ratio by River Mile from the Mid_miss_tools menu options 

(fig. 5–12).

2. Next, Select Shoreline Development Ratio scale (length of two sides of analysis window): (fig. 5–13). The first three 

options have already been preprocessed for the user using the Shoreline Development Ratio Tool. This was done so the user 

could bypass lengthy processing times and rapidly access these results. The distance between focal points for these scale 

options was 100 meters.

a. The first option is 5000 meters (min), which was determined to be the minimum value for the Middle Mississippi River 

because lower values would exclude some shoreline linear features from the analysis.

b. The second option is 7707 meters *. This value represents 7.5 times the mean active channel width of 1,027.6 meters.

c. The third option is 10000 meters (max). This is the maximum value to use to calculate SDR. Larger values could 

potentially bias sampling by including shoreline linear features from adjacent meandering sections of the river.

Figure 5–11. Calculating Shoreline Development Ratio.

Appendix 1: User’s Manual Section 5: Advanced Tools—Geomorphology and Aquatic Habitat

Figure 5–12. Starting Shoreline Development Ratio Tool.
30 Middle Mississippi River Decision Support System: User’s Manual

d. The last option is Other (meters):. This option allows the user to input their own scale into the equation and also to 

choose from three different focal point distances (100, 200, and 400 meters). Selecting this option requires substantially more processing time by the computer. The user must select an integer value between 5000 (min) and 10000 

(max) for scale. The focal point distance options are visible when this scale option is selected.

3. Click on the Help button to display a text file describing the use of the SDR Tool (fig. 5–14).

4. For this example, select the preferred scale option (e.g., 7707 meters) and click on the OK button (fig. 5–13).

5. A window opens prompting where on the computer’s hard drive to save the outputs. Select a directory and click on the 

OK button (fig 5–15).

The output data are saved to the specified directory and three output themes are added to the view (fig. 5–16). 

Output themes created by the tool are referenced with the chosen scale (e.g., Shoreline Development Ratio Points (7707m)). 

The first theme depicts the focal points spaced 100 meters apart along the sail line and is attributed with the SDR values calculated at the scale selected (Sdr), the total shoreline length within the analysis window for each focal point (Shorelength), and 

the total distance traveled upstream to each individual focal point (Walkdist). Second, the tool creates a polygon theme (e.g., 

Shoreline Development Ratio by RM (7707m)) representing river mile segments with each separate polygon attributed by the 

average SDR value (Sdr_ave) of all the focal points that fall within that particular polygon and the river mile label (River_mile). 

Finally, the tool creates a theme, Shoreline Linears, representing the Shoreline of the Middle Mississippi River that was used in 

the analysis. Metadata are created for each theme and are accessible by clicking on the Display Metadata button .

Figure 5–13. Shoreline Development Ratio input dialog.
 31

Figure 5–15. Specify Output Directory.

Figure 5–14. Shoreline Development Ratio Help File.

Appendix 1: User’s Manual Section 5: Advanced Tools—Geomorphology and Aquatic Habitat
32 Middle Mississippi River Decision Support System: User’s Manual

Inverse Distance Weighted Measure of River Training Structures

Dikes, weirs, and revetments are engineered features designed to maintain the river navigation channel through modification of natural processes such as channel degradation, sediment transport, aggradation, and flooding. However, river training 

structures may provide physical conditions needed by some aquatic biota. Consequently, biotic abundance and community structure may correlate with proximity to river training structures. However, estimating the influences of river training structures on 

biota is complex because any given point may be influenced by a number of structures, depending on scale, that vary in length, 

geometry, and proximity. Inverse distance weighted (IDW) interpolation is a common method for deriving continuous surfaces 

such as topography or rainfall distribution (Legendre and Legendre, 1998; Lee and Wong, 2001; Lo and Yeung, 2002). Similarly, 

IDW values were interpolated for the MMRDSS from known lengths of training structures for use in analyses of aquatic organisms. Simply stated, larger structures near the thalweg weigh more heavily (i.e., produce larger values) on IDW values than do 

smaller structures further away.

This tool calculates several values using the distance from linear features representing river training structures to focal 

points along a polyline representing the Middle Mississippi River sail line. Three themes are used to perform this analysis within 

the tool. These themes do not need to be added to the view. 

• The first theme is a modified version of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ sail line. 

• The second theme consists of focal points at regular intervals along the sail line. 

• The third theme consists of line features representing dikes, revetments, and weirs acquired from the U.S. Army Corps 

of Engineers. Revetment line features were derived from the existing revetment polygon theme using a tool to approximate polygon centerlines. Revetment, dike, and weir polylines were finally merged into a single theme.

Figure 5–16. Shoreline Development Ratio Outputs.
 33

1. To start the tool, select Calculate IDW Measure of Training Structures by River Mile from the Mid_miss_tools menu 

options (fig. 5–17).

2. Next, Select IDW measure of training structures scale (radius of analysis circle): (fig. 5–18).

a. The first option is 1000 meters (min), which was determined to be the minimum value. Lower values would exclude 

some channel training structures in the Middle Mississippi River from the analysis. 

b. The second option is 5332 meters *. This value was derived from a circle having an area equal to the mean area of 

adjacent MMR 11 and 14 digit hydrologic unit code (HUC) watershed polygons. 

c. The third option is 10000 meters (max). This is the maximum value to use to calculate IDW. Larger values could 

potentially bias sampling by including some training structures from adjacent meandering sections of the river. 

Figure 5–18. Select Appropriate Scale Value.

Figure 5–17. Starting Inverse Distance Weighted Measure of 

Training Structures by River Mile Tool.

Appendix 1: User’s Manual Section 5: Advanced Tools—Geomorphology and Aquatic Habitat
34 Middle Mississippi River Decision Support System: User’s Manual

d. The last option is Other (meters):. This option allows the user to input their own scale into the equation and also to 

choose from three different focal point distances (100, 200, and 400 meters). Selecting this option requires substantially more processing time by the computer. The user must select an integer value between 1000 (min) and 10000 

(max) for scale. The focal point distance options are visible when this scale option is selected.

3. Click on the Help button to display a text file describing the use of the IDW Tool (fig. 5–19).

4. Select the preferred scale option (e.g., 5332 meters *) and click on the OK button (fig. 5–18).

5. A window opens prompting where on the computer’s hard drive to save the outputs. Select a directory and click on the 

OK button (fig. 5–20).

The output data are saved to the specified directory, and three output shapefiles are added to the view (fig. 5–21).

Figure 5–19. Inverse Distance Weighted Measure of Training Structures Help File.

Figure 5–20. Specify Output Directory.
 35

This tool creates three themes. The first theme (e.g., IDW Measure of Training Structures Points (5332m)) represents focal 

points spaced 100 meters apart along the sail line and its associated attribute table. The first attribute in the table (Sumlinelng) is 

the total length of linear features within the circular buffer around each focal point.

The second attribute (Lngth2mind) is the sum of each feature’s length divided by the squared minimum distance between 

the feature and the focal point of the moving window. 

The third attribute (IDW) is the Inverse Distance Weight of the features in each sampling window (IDW = Sum[w*d^2]/

Sum[1/d^2]) where weight or w = linear length of each feature and d = minimum distance between each feature and the center 

of the search window. 

The fourth attribute is the total distance traveled upstream to each individual focal point (Walkdist). The second theme 

created (e.g., IDW Measure of Training Structures by RM [5332m]) represents river mile segments as separate polygons that are 

attributed by the average IDW value (Idw_ave) for all of the focal points falling within that particular river mile, and the river 

mile number for each polygon (River_mile). 

Finally, the tool creates a theme, River Training Structures, representing the River Training Structures of the Middle Mississippi River used in the analysis. Metadata are created for each theme and are accessible by clicking on the Display Metadata

button .

Hypsometric Integral

Hypsometry provides a means to describe the variability in topography of watersheds and water bodies derived from a 

frequency distribution of elevations (or depth). For river reaches, hypsometric curves for bathymetry can be generated as plots of 

normalized depth against normalized cumulative area. Normalizing (adjusting the values to a common value) the depth and area 

allows the user to compare results between different river miles or river reaches on the basis of a common standard. The hypsometric integral (HI) represents total area under a hypsometric curve (Harlin, 1978; Luo, 1998). Total area within the reach serves 

to normalize area at or below a given depth. Conversely, maximum reach relief normalizes depth on the y-axis. When applied as 

Figure 5–21. Inverse Distance Weighted Measure of River Training Structures Outputs.

Appendix 1: User’s Manual Section 5: Advanced Tools—Geomorphology and Aquatic Habitat
36 Middle Mississippi River Decision Support System: User’s Manual

a general descriptor of reach bathymetry, low values of HI are expected in highly channelized reaches whereas higher values are 

expected in aggrading reaches (Hurtrez and others, 1999).

Although the percent hypsometric curve and HI have been successfully used to characterize fluvial geomorphology within 

watersheds (Hurtrez and Lucazeau, 1999; Hurtrez and others, 1999; Haltuch and Berkman, 2000; Awasthi and others, 2002), 

comparisons among basins or water bodies with unequal area and relief can be difficult. A more robust characterization of small 

basins was offered by Harlin (1978), who suggested treating the hypsometric curve as a cumulative probability distribution 

by fitting a third order polynomial to the percent hypsometric curve and integrating to obtain HI. Then, skewness and kurtosis 

can be used to quantitatively describe the curve. Together, these traits better characterize the curve and reduce the confounding 

effects of relying solely on HI.

Luo (1998) modified Harlin’s (1978) automated approach of characterizing the percent hypsometric curve for GIS applications using ARC/INFO’s ARC macro language (AML) and executable FORTRAN programs (ftp://ftp.iamg.org/VOL24/v24-8-

10.zip). These programs were modified to accommodate MMR bathymetric data and to characterize MMR hypsometric curves 

for the MMRDSS. Program results of polynomial fit were verified by regressing cumulative percent area and percent depth 

coordinate pairs with the general linear model (GLM) procedure in SAS. The HI values were verified by coding trapezoidal 

approximation of the integral within the FORTRAN program. 

Bathymetry raster grids representing depth (only grid cells <= 0 meters were included) at the 10 percent exceedance levels 

were used in the hypsometric analysis. For the MMRDSS, polynomials and curve attributes were processed for River Mile 

(RMs) 28 through 80 and the entire Open River Trend Analysis Area (TAA). 

1. To start the tool, select Calculate Hypsometric Integral by River Mile from the Mid_miss_tools menu options

(fig. 5–22).

2. Next, select how the HI Tool will normalize output (fig. 5–23). Two options are available.

a. The first option, Calculate Hypsometric Integral (Normalize by River Mile), uses the total area and maximum depth 

within each river mile segment as the normalizing values on the x and y axes of the percent hypsometric curve from 

which the HI is obtained. These values are different for each river mile. 

b. The second option, Calculate Hypsometric Integral (Normalize by Trend Analysis Area), indicates that the percent 

hypsometric curve and subsequent HI for each river mile were developed using total area and relief within the TAA 

bathymetry grid as normalizing (denominator) values on the curve’s x and y axes. This option may better standardize 

HI values for comparing diverse river reaches.

3. Click on the Help button to display a text file describing the use of the HI Tool (fig. 5–24).

4. Select Calculate Hypsometric Integral (Normalize by River Mile) and click on the OK button (fig. 5–23).

5. A window opens prompting where on the computer’s hard drive to save the outputs. Select a directory and click on the 

OK button (fig 5–25).

Figure 5–22. Starting Hypsometric Integral Tool.
 37

Figure 5–23. Select Hypsometric Integral Output.

Figure 5–24. Hypsometric Integral Help File.

Appendix 1: User’s Manual Section 5: Advanced Tools—Geomorphology and Aquatic Habitat
38 Middle Mississippi River Decision Support System: User’s Manual

Figure 5–26. Hypsometric Integral Output.

The output data are saved to the specified directory and one output shapefile is added to the view (fig. 5–26). 

These products and the tools used to derive them may assist river investigators in a number of ways. For example, the literature proposes that HI discerns aggrading reaches from degrading reaches. Moreover, HI may be useful for evaluating connectivity and physical processes (e.g., water movement) as well as affinities of species or guilds for particular bathymetric profiles. 

The AML scripts and compiled FORTRAN programs allow investigators to quantify differences in HI among other reaches of 

the river. The products offer the ability to uniquely characterize and relate the percent hypsometric curve to riverine biota and 

ecological processes. Metadata are created for each theme and are accessible by clicking on the Display Metadata button .

Figure 5–25. Specify Output Directory.
 39

Fragstats Version 3.3 Landscape Metrics

FRAGSTATS Version 3.3 is a software application developed to quantify habitat metrics for landscape ecology at the patch, 

class, and landscape levels (McGarigal and others, 2002). For the MMRDSS, these metrics were derived from the

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (COE) aquatic area raster grids and bathymetry grids of depth <= 0 meters at the 10 percent 

discharge exceedance level. For each grid, 101 landscape metrics (Appendix 3) were calculated for the entire TAA (RM 28–80). 

The MMRDSS users should visit the FRAGSTATS Web site at http://www.umass.edu/landeco/research/fragstats/fragstats.html 

to obtain information about the software and detailed descriptions of individual metrics. 

Once processed, dBASE files are created and imported as tables into ArcView. Landscape level metrics processed by river 

mile are joined to a shapefile representing river mile polygons.

1. To start the tool, select Calculate Landscape Metrics by River Mile from the Mid_miss_tools menu options (fig. 5–27).

2. Next, select the input theme to Calculate Landscape Metrics (fig. 5–28). Options include Calculate Landscape Metrics 

Using UMRS Bathymetry or Calculate Landscape Metrics Using COE Aquatic Areas.

3. Click on the Help button to display a text file describing the use of the Landscape Metrics Tool (fig. 5–29).

Figure 5–27. Starting Landscape Metrics Tool.

Figure 5–28. Select Landscape Metrics Output.

Appendix 1: User’s Manual Section 5: Advanced Tools—Geomorphology and Aquatic Habitat
40 Middle Mississippi River Decision Support System: User’s Manual

4. Select the option Calculate Landscape Metrics Using UMRS Bathymetry and click on the OK button (fig. 5–28).

5. A window opens prompting where on the computer’s hard drive to save the outputs. Select a directory and click on the 

OK button (fig. 5–30).

The output data are saved to the specified directory, and one output shapefile is added to the view (fig. 5–31). 

The shapefile subsequently added is attributed with the full suite of landscape metrics within the associated attribute table, 

and the theme itself is shaded according to its Simpson’s Diversity Index (Sidi) value. The value of Simpson’s Diversity Index 

represents the probability that any two pixels selected at random would be different patch types (e.g., polygons of depth strata). 

The entire suite of landscape metrics for each river mile polygon can be accessed by clicking on the Identify Tool and 

selecting a feature within the view (fig. 5–31). The theme can be shaded according to other landscape metrics by selecting Edit 

Legend... from the Theme menu options. The Legend Editor appears and the user can select a different attribute to shade the 

theme using the Classification Field drop-down menu. Click on the Apply button to accept changes and view the theme. Metadata are created for each theme and are accessible by clicking on the Display Metadata button .

Figure 5–30. Specify Output Directory.

Figure 5–29. Landscape Metrics Help File.
 41

Figure 5–31. Landscape Metrics Output.

Appendix 1: User’s Manual Section 5: Advanced Tools—Geomorphology and Aquatic Habitat
42 Middle Mississippi River Decision Support System: User’s Manual

Section 6: Clipping Tool

Background

The Clipping Tool was first developed as an ArcView extension provided with the Habitat Needs Assessment (HNA) GIS 

Query Tool for the Upper Mississippi River System (DeHaan and others, 2000). The Clipping Tool allows the user to clip data 

themes and view summary statistics of the clipped region. What makes the Clipping Tool a powerful analytical tool is its ability 

to clip through multiple themes and compare those themes on a common attribute. 

The Clipping Tool consists of a Clip With Area Tool and the Clip With Theme button. Before either can be 

used, the View’s map units must be set (if not already set). The View Units are set by selecting Properties from the View menu 

options. Once the dialog window opens, set the Map Units: to meters for the MMRDSS.

The MMRDSS uses several land cover/land use themes as input with the Clipping Tool. These themes consist of the 2000 

LTRMP Land Cover/Land Use, 1989 LTRMP Land Cover/Land Use, 1975 LTRMP Land Cover/Land Use, and the 1890’s Mississippi River Commission LCLU. It is important to note that these individual data themes were not all originally interpreted according to the same standard operating procedures and also were not all interpreted at the same scale. These 

themes’ attribute tables and corresponding fields were cross-walked by the Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center 

(UMESC) so that comparisons could be made using fields shared by all of the themes. The 2000 LTRMP Land Cover/Land Use

theme was used as the model. These themes were added to a separate view within the MMRDSS called Middle Mississippi 

River - Land Cover Clipping Themes. Use this view as a starting point for analysis using the Clipping Tool.

Clipping Multiple Themes Using a User-Defined Polygon

A user-defined polygon can be used to clip one or multiple data themes. In this example, the user zooms into the area surrounding Marquette Island, near RM 49 and clips the area surrounding the island. 

1. Make the themes 2000 LTRMP Land Cover/Land Use (2), 1989 LTRMP Land Cover/Land Use (2), 1975 LTRMP Land 

Cover/Land Use (2), and 1890’s Mississippi River Commission LCLU (2) active (make multiple themes active by selecting 

one theme in the table of contents and selecting the rest with the Shift key depressed).

2. Once the themes are selected, press the Clip With Area Tool .

3. Next, define the area of analysis by clicking within the view once with the left mouse button to start the polygon and 

press again for each vertex in the polygon. Double-click the mouse to finish the polygon (fig. 6–1) and display the Clipping Tool input window.

Figure 6–1. Use the Clipping Tool to create a clipping polygon.
 43

Figure 6–2. Dialog box used to designate output specifications for the Clipping Tool.

4. Next, Fill in Output Specifications within the Summarize by User Polygon dialog window (fig. 6–2). This dialog window 

has user input areas to do the following: 

a. Specify a Basename for Output Docs created by the tool (for this example, type in Marquette Island). 

b. Select an Output Directory to place generated files.

c. Select Field to Summarize common to all active themes on which summary statistics will be performed from the 

drop-down menu (for this example, select Class_15).

d. Select the type of Classification of Table/Theme used with the tables and themes from the drop-down menu (for 

this example, select Unique Values). If the field being summarized is a character string, the user will only be able to 

designate the Classification of Table/Theme as Unique Values and the Number of Classes option will be deactivated.

e. Check whether to Create Chart(s) as an output or whether to Create Theme from the Clip Polygon. If the field 

being summarized is numerical, the dialog box also prompts the user to specify the Number of Classes to use in 

grouping the resulting numbers. 

f. After filling in the information, click the OK button in the dialog box, the Clipping Tool will use the clipping polygon 

to extract data from the active themes and create new graphic and tabular outputs.

5. Once the process is finished, the areas from the active themes that overlapped the clipping polygon are added to the active 

View window (fig. 6–3). If an input theme does not overlap the designated clipping polygon, no output theme will be 

created for that particular theme. The associated tables and charts are also added to the project and can be accessed from 

ArcView’s Project window (fig. 6–4).

Appendix 1: User’s Manual Section 6: Clipping Tool
44 Middle Mississippi River Decision Support System: User’s Manual

Figure 6–3. Extracted files drawn in the View window after the clipping procedure.

Figure 6–4. Charts created when the example clipping procedure 

is completed.
 45

6. To open up a specific chart, select it within the Project window and click on the Open button. Select the chart labeled Summary Chart for 2000 LTRMP Land Cover/Land Use (2) (Marquette Island) (fig. 6–4). All the charts created have the area 

calculation along the y-axis (fig. 6–5). If the map units were specified in the View properties dialog box before running the 

Clipping Tool, acres are calculated for the output themes. Acres will also be used in the summary statistics. The classes that 

the data were summarized on are located along the x-axis of the chart. A chart is created for each data theme clipped. A 

comparison chart is also created so the user can identify trends in the data (fig. 6–6). Note: If the user opens a chart and gets 

a message that says, “There is not enough space to plot the chart...” just increase the size of the window and the chart will 

display. If the chart still does not display, there are too many columns in the chart to view. If this happens, results will need 

to be compared solely within the summary tables.

7. The charts can be altered to look at the trends between different classes. To do this, select the Chart Tool button 

(fig. 6–6). Pressing this button opens a dialog box that allows the user to select any combination of available classes and 

regraph the data showing only those classes. Hold the Shift key to select multiple classes. 

Figure 6–6. Comparison chart for all clipped themes showing the Sand/Mud and Wet Forest classes.

Figure 6–5. Summary chart for one of the clipped themes.

Appendix 1: User’s Manual Section 6: Clipping Tool
46 Middle Mississippi River Decision Support System: User’s Manual

8. Besides creating charts with the Clipping Tool, summary tables are automatically created for each theme clipped (fig. 6–7). 

Tables for the individual themes have fields for the class description, the number of polygons for each class description, the 

total acres of that class within the clip area, and the percentage of that class within the clip area.

9. If multiple data themes are clipped, a comparison table is also created (fig. 6–8). This table has a field for the common class 

description and a field for each data theme that represents the total area of each class type. 

Clipping Multiple Themes Using an Existing Polygon

Besides making a polygon interactively to clip themes, the Clipping Tool also provides the option to clip themes by using 

an existing data theme. The user may clip with an entire data theme or a subset of a data theme using selected polygons, for 

example:

1. Make the theme USFWS Refuge - Harlow Island Division active. Zoom to the extent of that theme using the Zoom to 

Active Theme button .

2. Next, make the themes 2000 LTRMP Land Cover/Land Use (1), 1989 LTRMP Land Cover/Land Use (1), 1975 LTRMP 

Land Cover/Land Use (1), and 1890’s Mississippi River Commission LCLU (1) active (make multiple themes active by 

selecting one theme in the table of contents, then select the rest with the Shift key depressed). Make sure the theme USFWS 

Refuge - Harlow Island Division is NOT active since this theme will be used to clip the other themes.

3. Next, press the Clipping Tool (Clip with Theme) button . This brings up the Load Polygon from Theme dialog box 

(fig. 6–9). In this dialog box, select the name of the theme to use as the bounding polygon for clipping the other theme(s) 

that are active. Once the user has selected the data theme, click on the Load button. For this example, select the theme 

USFWS Refuge – Harlow Island Division. 

4. The Summarize by User Polygon dialog window opens. This window is the same as the one used when the user clipped 

with an interactively created polygon (fig. 6–2). Fill in the input options the same as in Figure 6–2, except name the 

Basename for Output Docs Harlow Island NWR. This operation generates products similar to the previous example (i.e., 

themes, charts, and tables). Figure 6–10 displays an example of output generated by the Clipping Tool using the data theme 

shown in Figure 6–9. Open the output charts and tables using the Project window. 

Figure 6–7. Summary table for one of the clipped themes.

Figure 6–8. Comparison table for all clipped themes showing acreages for each class.
Appendix 1: User’s Manual Section 6: Clipping Tool 47

Figure 6–9. Using a preexisting data theme to clip other data.

Figure 6–10. Data extracted by using a preexisting data theme.
48 Middle Mississippi River Decision Support System: User’s Manual

Appendix 2: Geographic Information System Data Theme List

The following is a list of the geographic information system data themes included with the Middle Mississippi River Decision Support System.

• Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center/Long Term Resources Monitoring Program (UMESC-LTRMP) Water 

Quality Component Data (1993 – 1999, Spring – Summer – Fall – Winter)

• UMESC-LTRMP Invertebrate Component Data (1994 – 1999)

• UMESC-LTRMP Fisheries Component Data (1993 – 1999, Spring – Summer – Fall)

• Southern Illinois University (SIU) Sturgeon Telemetry Points 1995 – 2000

• SIU Sturgeon Telemetry Points 2002 -– 2003

• Environmental Protection Agency/Upper Mississippi River Basin Association (EPA-UMRBA) Marinas

• EPA-UMRBA Dams

• EPA-UMRBA Lock and Dams

• EPA-UMRBA Boat Access Points

• Scientific Assessment and Strategy Team (SAST) River Miles

• LTRMP Feature Labels

• U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) City Names

• USGS-GNIS Points

• Scientific Assessment and Strategy Team (SAST) Eagle Nest Data

• SAST Heron Rookeries

• Wing Dam Bathymetry Points

• Corps of Engineers (COE) Barge Sailing Line

• COE Barge Fleeting Areas

• EPA-UMRBA Roads

• EPA-UMRBA Railroads

• COE-Saint Louis District (STL) Weirs

• COE-STL Dikes

• COE-STL Revetments

• SAST 1993 Levee Breaks

• SAST Levee Linears

• SAST Leveed Areas

• USGS Digital Line Graph Streams

• EPA-UMRBA Streams

• USGS-LTRMP River Mile Boundaries

• LTRMP - COE 2000 Gravel Bars
 49

• USGS-EPA - National Hydrography Dataset (NHD) Lakes

• SAST Sport Fisheries Data

• EPA-UMRBA Major Waterways

• SAST Fish Spawning Data

• SAST Commercial Fisheries Data

• SAST Mussel Beds

• United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Refuge - Wilkinson Island Division

• USFWS Refuge - Harlow Island Division

• EPA-UMRBA Other Environmentally Sensitive Areas

• EPA-UMRBA Special Designated Areas

• EPA - Publicly Managed Areas

• LTRMP-COE Bathymetry 

• COE - 2001 Aquatic Areas

• 1989 LTRMP Aquatic Area Classifications

• 2000 LTRMP Land Cover/Land Use

• 1994 COE REEGIS Land Cover/Land Use

• 1989 LTRMP Land Cover/Land Use

• 1989 LTRMP Satellite-Derived Land Cover/Land Use

• 1975 LTRMP Land Cover/Land Use 

• 1890's Mississippi River Commission LCLU

• Early 1800's Government Land Office Land Cover

• 2000 LTRMP Land/Water

• UMRS – The Nature Conservancy (TNC) Priority Sites

• UMRS - TNC Ecological Drainage Units

• UMRS - TNC Catchment Areas for Headwater and Creek Systems

• UMRS - TNC Catchment Areas For Small River Systems

• UMRS - TNC Catchment Areas For Medium River Systems

• UMRS - TNC Catchment Areas For Large River Systems

• UMRS - TNC Medium River Reaches Buffered by 2 km

• UMRS - TNC Large River Reaches Buffered by 3 km

• UMRS - TNC Great River Reaches Buffered by 5 km

• UMRS - UMESC Subbasins

• UMRS - TNC Surficial Geology

• EPA Counties

Appendix 2: Geographic Information System Data Theme List
50 Middle Mississippi River Decision Support System: User’s Manual

• UMRS - STATSGO Soils

• COE 1998 Aerial Photos

• LTRMP 2000 True-Color Aerial Photos

• USGS Digital Orthophoto Quarter Quads

• USGS 1:24,000 Digital Raster Graphic

• USGS 1:100,000 Digital Raster Graphic 

• SAST Elevation/COE Bed Elevation Mosaic

• SAST Digital Elevation Model

• USGS Digital Elevation Model
 51

Appendix 3: FRAGSTATS Attribute List

The following is a list of landscape metric fields included within the FRAGSTATS output themes for bathymetry and 

aquatic habitats and also a short description of each field. Visit the Web site at http://www.umass.edu/landeco/research/fragstats/

fragstats.html for more detailed metric descriptions.

Field name Field description

TA Total landscape area (ha)

NP Number of patches (#)

PD Patch density (#/100 ha)

LPI Largest patch index (%)

TE Total edge length (in meters) of all selected edges (background features excluded)

ED Edge density (m/ha) of selected features (from TE)

LSI Landscape shape index calculated using TE (non-weighted edge length with background 

features excluded)

AREA_MN Mean patch area (ha)

AREA_AM Area-weighted mean patch area (ha)

AREA_MD Median patch area (ha)

AREA_RA Range in patch area (ha)

AREA_SD Standard deviation in patch area 

AREA_CV Coefficient of variation in patch area

GYRATE_MN Mean radius of gyration distribution (mean distance (m) between each cell in the patch and 

the patch centroid)

GYRATE_AM Area-weighted mean radius of gyration distribution

GYRATE_MD Median radius of gyration distribution

GYRATE_RA Range in radius of gyration distribution

GYRATE_SD Standard deviation in radius of gyration distribution

GYRATE_CV Coefficient of variation in radius of gyration distribution

SHAPE_MN Mean shape index distribution

SHAPE_AM Area-weighted mean shape index distribution

SHAPE_MD Median shape index distribution

SHAPE_RA Range in shape index distribution

SHAPE_SD Standard deviation in shape index distribution

SHAPE_CV Coefficient of variation in shape index distribution

FRAC_MN Mean fractal index distribution 

FRAC_AM Area-weighted mean fractal index distribution

FRAC_MD Median fractal index distribution

FRAC_RA Range in fractal index distribution

FRAC_SD Standard deviation in fractal index distribution

FRAC_CV Coefficient of variation in fractal index distribution

PARA_MN Mean perimeter-area ratio distribution 

PARA_AM Area-weighted mean perimeter-area ratio distribution 

PARA_MD Median perimeter-area ratio distribution 

PARA_RA Range in perimeter-area ratio distribution 

PARA_SD Standard deviation in perimeter-area ratio distribution 

PARA_CV Coefficient of variation in perimeter-area ratio distribution 

CIRCLE_MN Mean related circumscribing circle distribution 

CIRCLE_AM Area-weighted mean related circumscribing circle distribution

CIRCLE_MD Median related circumscribing circle distribution

CIRCLE_RA Range in related circumscribing circle distribution

CIRCLE_SD Standard deviation in related circumscribing circle distribution

CIRCLE_CV Coefficient of variation in related circumscribing circle distribution

Appendix 3: FRAGSTATS Attribute List
52 Middle Mississippi River Decision Support System: User’s Manual

Field name Field description

CONTIG_MN Mean contiguity index distribution

CONTIG_AM Area-weighted mean contiguity index distribution

CONTIG_MD Median contiguity index distribution

CONTIG_RA Range in contiguity index distribution

CONTIG_SD Standard deviation in contiguity index distribution

CONTIG_CV Coefficient of variation in contiguity index distribution

PAFRAC Perimeter-area fractal dimension (reflects shape complexity across a range of spatial scales 

[patch sizes])

TCA Total core area (ha)

NDCA Number of disjunct core areas contained within each patch of the corresponding patch type

DCAD Disjunct core area density

CORE_MN Mean core area distribution 

CORE_AM Area-weighted mean core area distribution 

CORE_MD Median core area distribution 

CORE_RA Range in core area distribution 

CORE_SD Standard deviation in core area distribution 

CORE_CV Coefficient of variation in core area distribution 

DCORE_MN Mean disjunct core area distribution 

DCORE_AM Area-weighted mean disjunct core area distribution 

DCORE_MD Median disjunct core area distribution 

DCORE_RA Range in disjunct core area distribution 

DCORE_SD Standard deviation in disjunct core area distribution 

DCORE_CV Coefficient of variation in disjunct core area distribution 

CAI_MN Mean core area index distribution

CAI_AM Area-weighted mean core area index distribution

CAI_MD Median core area index distribution

CAI_RA Range in core area index distribution

CAI_SD Standard deviation in core area index distribution

CAI_CV Coefficient of variation in core area index distribution

PROX_MN Mean proximity index distribution

PROX_AM Area-weighted mean proximity index distribution

PROX_MD Median proximity index distribution

PROX_RA Range in proximity index distribution

PROX_SD Standard deviation in proximity index distribution

PROX_CV Coefficient of variation in proximity index distribution

ENN_MN Mean euclidean nearest neighbor distance distribution

ENN_AM Area-weighted mean euclidean nearest neighbor distance distribution

ENN_MD Median euclidean nearest neighbor distance distribution

ENN_RA Range in euclidean nearest neighbor distance distribution

ENN_SD Standard deviation in euclidean nearest neighbor distance distribution

ENN_CV Coefficient of variation in euclidean nearest neighbor distance distribution

CONTAG Contagion index (%)

PLADJ Percentage of like adjacencies

IJI Interspersion and juxtaposition index (%)

CONNECT Connectance index 

COHESION Patch cohesion index 

DIVISION Landscape division index

MESH Effective mesh size

SPLIT Splitting Index 

PR Patch richness (#)

PRD Patch richness density (#/100 ha)
 53

Field name Field description

RPR Relative patch richness (%)

SHDI Shannon’s diversity index

SIDI Simpson’s diversity index

MSIDI Modified Simpson’s diversity index

SHEI Shannon’s evenness index

SIEI Simpson’s evenness index

MSIEI Modified Simpson’s evenness index

AI Aggregation index

Appendix 3: FRAGSTATS Attribute List
Cover. (left) Pallid sturgeon Scaphirhynchus albus (Ken Bouc, Nebraska Game and Parks Commission); (lower left) flatbottom boat 

foreground, tow boat, and barge in background (U.S. Geological Survey, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center); (upper right) 

Sinuosity Index output created using Middle Mississippi River Decision Support System (U.S. Geological Survey, Upper Midwest 

Environmental Sciences Center); (right) bathymetry/elevation mosaic (U.S. Geological Survey, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences 

Center).

Publishing Office: Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, La Crosse, Wisconsin

Editor and Layout: Georginia Ardinger