Stream Health and Habitat Assessments for Streams in the Maryland-Washington, DC-Virginia Developed Piedmont Region (2024)

U. S. Geological Survey (USGS) scientists completed a data collection campaign from the 3rd of June to the 22nd of July in 2024, using various methods to record geomorphic and habitat indicators throughout 30 streams in the Maryland-Washington, DC-Virginia Developed Piedmont region. 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. Summary metrics can be found in Developed_Summary_Metrics.csv in the parent item, while the two child items contain 1) recorded in-channel and Riparian Rapid Assessment (RRA) scores and 2) recorded survey data.
 
Attached to this release is a data dictionary, Summary_Metrics_Dictionary.csv, containing general information about Developed_Summary_Metrics.csv.
 
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
     - RRA Qualitative Index Site Averages compiled from:
          - Natural Buffer Later Width
          - Natural Buffer Longitudinal Continuity
          - Lateral Land Surface Slope
          - Land Surface Topographic complexity
          - Lateral Rills and Channels
          - Soil Wetness
          - Soil Disturbance
          - Living Tree Basal Area
          - Natural Vegetation Disturbance
          - Coarse Woody Debris
          - Riparian Livestock Access
          - Channel Livestock Access
          - Forestry Activity
          - Active Cropping
          - Beaver Activity
          - Surface Hydrologic Connectivity
          - Sediment Deposition
          - Experiential Metrics
     - 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
     - Bankfull width
          - Mean
          - Standard deviation
          - Coefficient of Variance
     - Bankfull height
     - Pebble count
          - Average
          - Standard deviation
          - Heterogeneity metrics
     - Embeddedness
          - Average
          - Standard deviation
          - Heterogeneity metrics
     - Fine sediment depth
          - Average
          - Standard deviation
          - Heterogeneity metrics
     - Water depth
          - Average
          - Standard deviation
          - Heterogeneity metrics
     - Flow type
          - Average
          - Standard deviation
          - Heterogeneity metrics
     - In-channel canopy cover
     - Vegetation coverage
          - Average
          - Standard deviation
          - Heterogeneity metrics
     - Fish habitat coverage
          - Average
          - Standard deviation
          - 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 can be found attached to the child items within 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.
 
Any use of trade, firm, or product names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.