DOI: 10.48443/c50j-m773
title: Stream morphology map (DP4.00131.001)
title: RELEASE-2023

description: The wadeable stream morphology data product provides raw survey data, maps, shapefiles, and metric tables that quantify stream channel geomorphology and bed composition and delineates biological habitats within the aquatic reach boundaries (approximately 1,000 meters in stream length) of wadeable streams at NEON aquatic sites.  Raw survey data is collected with high-resolution total station survey equipment at each NEON wadeable stream site.  Survey maps and channel metrics are produced and calculated using raw survey data (Level 0) that are geo-referenced to a global coordinate system (Level 4).  Geomorphology surveys are conducted at each site once every five years or immediately following a storm event deemed to have significantly altered stream morphology within the aquatic  reach.  Geomorphology surveys conducted immediately after a stochastic event will assess event magnitude by quantifying changes in channel geometry, bed composition, and biological habitat.  For additional details, see the user guide, protocols, and science design listed in the Documentation section in this data product's details webpage.

Latency:
The expected time from data and/or sample collection in the field to data publication is as follows, for each of the data tables (in days) in the downloaded data package. See the Data Product User Guide for more information.

geo_featureInfo:  60

geo_mappedPointErrors:  60

geo_missingLine:  60

geo_pebbleCount:  60

geo_rapidHabitatResultsFile: 120

geo_resultsFile:  120

geo_surveyFieldData:  60

geo_totalStation:  60
description: Geomorphology surveys encapsulate the entirety of the aquatic reach, which at most NEON sites is equivalent to approximately 1,000 meters in stream length. A raw survey data file includes each of the individually mapped points collected by the total station during the geomorphology survey. Each point contains a Northing, Easting, and elevation coordinate relative to fixed benchmarks installed near the staff gauge and discharge cross-section (where the surveys typically begin). Mapped points are distributed at a high resolution (typically less than 1m) throughout the extent of the aquatic reach. Points are mapped along the main channel to capture thalweg (or the deepest part of the stream) elevation, along the edge of water to capture wetted width, and along select transects that run perpendicular to the channel in order to capture cross-sectional area. Additional points are collected at stream features that locally influence fluvial processes (i.e. large woody debris jams, mid-channel bars, etc.). Northing, Easting, and elevation data contained in raw survey files are relative to a local Cartesian coordinate plane (X, Y, and Z, respectively) defined by the fixed benchmark used to orient the total station at the beginning of the survey. Fixed benchmark locations are globally referenced (WGS 84 reference coordinate system) and locally projected (UTM Zone xNorth) using global positioning instrumentation to an accuracy of 10-30 centimeters of elevation. The degree of additional uncertainty associated with each survey will vary and is dependent on operator error, site-specific conditions, and environmental factors. Uncertainty associated with each survey is included within the data product package. During post-processing, GPS data is utilized to convert Northing and Easting values to latitude and longitude and elevation values to meters above mean sea level. All geo-referenced survey data is considered Level 4.

Geomorphology surveys are conducted a minimum of once every five years. During years when there is not a geomorphology survey, a geo-referenced rapid habitat assessment is conducted throughout the monitoring reach that includes a large woody debris survey, pebble count surveys at the same transects that are sampled during geomorphology surveys, and delineated aquatic habitat units. Instrumentation: Hilti POS 180 robotic total station