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#           Mapping stream and floodplain geomorphometry with the Floodplain and Channel Evaluation Tool      

      September 1, 2023    

Broad-scale mapping of stream channel and floodplain geomorphic metrics is critical to improve the understanding of geomorphic change, biogeochemical processes, riverine habitat quality, and opportunities for management intervention. The Floodplain and Channel Evaluation Tool (FACET) was developed to provide an open-source tool for automated processing of digital elevation models (DEMs) to generate regional-scale estimates of bank height, channel width, floodplain width, and a suite of other fluvial geomorphic dimensions that can be summarized at the stream reach- or catchment-scale. FACET was tested on 3-m DEMs covering the Delaware River watershed and 85% of the Chesapeake Bay watershed in the United States (U.S.) and on 1-m DEMs for a subset of the study area. Accuracy was assessed from data collected at 67 field sites in the study area. FACET successfully measured geomorphometry for over 270,000 stream reaches (88% of streams attempted) in the study area. Factors that reduced the ability of FACET to accurately estimate geomorphic metrics included errors in DEM hydro-conditioning, gradually sloping banks, incised stream channels, and the use of fixed input parameters to define buffer lengths. Even with these limitations, FACET was able to map regional patterns in stream and floodplain geomorphometry providing a robust dataset that can enhance modeling and management efforts throughout the mid-Atlantic region, U.S.

## Citation Information

## Related Content

                  -              Data           
                  -              Connect           

May 5, 2020

####                 Geomorphometry for Streams and Floodplains in the Chesapeake and Delaware Watersheds              

Chesapeake Bay Activities, South Atlantic Water Science Center (SAWSC)

#### Kristina Hopkins

##### Research Physical Scientist

South Atlantic Water Science Center (SAWSC)

khopkins@usgs.gov

919-571-4042

#### Labeeb Ahmed

##### Geographer

Lower Mississippi-Gulf Water Science Center

lahmed@usgs.gov

410-267-5715

#### Peter Claggett

##### Research Geographer

Lower Mississippi-Gulf Water Science Center

pclaggett@usgs.gov

443-370-5724

#### Marina Metes

##### Physical Scientist

Maryland-Delaware-D.C. Water Science Center

mmetes@usgs.gov

443-498-5576

#### Gregory Noe

##### Research Ecologist

Florence Bascom Geoscience Center

gnoe@usgs.gov

703-648-5826

## Related Content

May 5, 2020

####                 Geomorphometry for Streams and Floodplains in the Chesapeake and Delaware Watersheds              

Chesapeake Bay Activities, South Atlantic Water Science Center (SAWSC)

#### Kristina Hopkins

##### Research Physical Scientist

South Atlantic Water Science Center (SAWSC)

khopkins@usgs.gov

919-571-4042

#### Labeeb Ahmed

##### Geographer

Lower Mississippi-Gulf Water Science Center

lahmed@usgs.gov

410-267-5715

#### Peter Claggett

##### Research Geographer

Lower Mississippi-Gulf Water Science Center

pclaggett@usgs.gov

443-370-5724

#### Marina Metes

##### Physical Scientist

Maryland-Delaware-D.C. Water Science Center

mmetes@usgs.gov

443-498-5576

#### Gregory Noe

##### Research Ecologist

Florence Bascom Geoscience Center

gnoe@usgs.gov

703-648-5826

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####             Water Resources Mission Area - Headquarters        

USGS Headquarters12201 Sunrise Valley DriveReston, VA20192United States

#### Lower Mississippi-Gulf Water Science Center - Nashville, TN Office

640 Grassmere Park DriveNashville, TN37211United States

GS-W-TNnsh Webmaster@usgs.gov

(615) 837-4700

(615) 837-4799 

####               Florence Bascom Geoscience Center          

12201 Sunrise Valley DriveReston, VA20192United States

703-648-5953

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