Reach - Reaches are defined as a contiguous length of river with one or more repeating sequences of similar channel units, or macrohabitats. Reaches can contain multiple repeating sequences as long as the channel units and macrohabitats contained within them are within a specified range of variation. Practical identification of maximum lengths of reaches is based on recognition of where hydraulic properties change substantially. Segment a length of river characterized by limited variation in hydrologic and physiographic characteristics. In general, segments would be defined where tributaries significantly affect hydrologic, sediment, or water-quality characteristics.
Segments generally contain multiple reaches.
Side-channel chute a secondary channel of the river, not used for commercial navigation. Side-channel chutes typically cut across flood plains and may be shorter or longer than the main channel. Sinuosity a measure of channel curvature, usually quantified as the ratio of the length of the channel compared to the length of a straight line along the valley axis. Sinuosity ratios vary with the chosen length of the straight line.