Stream-channel geomorphologic characteristics determine water flow dynamics and are important features to capture when performing physical habitat assessments. The USGS is using airborne lidar to quantify channel morphology and characterize streambanks at the watershed scale. Geomorphic parameters of channel bottom width, channel top width, bankfull width, bank angle, bank height, channel gradient, and sinuosity are being computed. These metrics are used to develop relations between geomorphic characteristics and ecological assessments. Further research will determine the feasibility of developing similar metrics at broader scales to support national modeling applications.
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