DOI: 10.5066/p97ux2lo
title: Shenandoah Valley Stream Habitat and Riparian Assessments in West Virginia and Virginia, 2021 (ver. 3.0, December 2025)

description: U. S. Geological Survey (USGS) scientists completed a data collection campaign from the 26th of July to the 13th of August in 2021, using various methods to record geomorphic and habitat indicators throughout streams in the Shenandoah Valley. Field methods included GNSS surveys, gravelometer-based pebble count readings, visual assessments, and riparian analyses. This metadata record contains all recorded observations from the campaign as well as numerous summary metrics to be used in model development. Those "model-ready" data can be found in Typ1_Summary_Metrics.csv in the parent item, while the two child items containing recorded in-channel observations and recorded survey data.

Attached to this release is a data dictionary containing general information about Typ1_Summary_Metrics.csv. This information can be found in the Summary_Metrics_Dictionary.csv file.

The various data collected in this data release fall into the following categories describing both reach average and heterogeneity:
- Study Information
        - Internal site ID
- Riparian Statistics
        - Monarch Presence
        - Riparian assessment score
        - Riparian canopy cover
        - Active floodplain width
- Bank Statistics
        - Bank erosion rates
        - Bank vegetation
        - Modified BEHI score
        - Total to bankfull ratio
        - Bank angle
        - Total bank height
        - Legacy sediment depth
- In-Channel Statistics
        - Wetted width
                - Average
                - Heterogeneity metrics
        - Bankfull width
                - Average
                - Heterogeneity metrics
        - Bankfull height
        - Pebble count
                - Average
                - Heterogeneity metrics
        - Embeddedness
                - Average
                - Heterogeneity metrics
        - Fine sediment depth
                - Average
                - Heterogeneity metrics
        - Water depth
                - Average
                - Heterogeneity metrics
        - Flow type
                - Average
                - Heterogeneity metrics
        - In-channel canopy cover
        - Vegetation coverage
                - Average
                - Heterogeneity metrics
        - Fish habitat coverage
                - Average
                - Heterogeneity metrics
        - Woody debris
- Survey Metrics
        - Thalweg sinuosity
        - Longitudinal roughness
        - Water surface slope
        - Cross section
                - Bankfull area
                - Total channel area
                - Total to bankfull area ratio
                - Cross sectional roughness
                - Wetted perimeter

Additionally, the following child items can be found attached to this data release:
- Recorded Field Observations: All unsummarized data collected by field team members from the Habitat Assessment field teams.
- Recorded Survey Data: All coordinate data from surveying campaign collected by Habitat Assessment field teams.

First posted - June 26, 2023
Revised - August 15, 2024, ver. 2.0
Revised - February 13, 2025, ver. 2.1
Revised - December 9, 2025, ver. 3.0