Hydrography Network


Mapping of streams and rivers over very large areas has always been iterative and expensive. Now Digital Elevation Models (DEM), surfaces and topography derived from LiDAR are revolutionizing the way we represent and analyze surface waters. We will have truly 3-dimensional models and measurements, allowing new analyses of total flow accumulation, flow predictions, regional management decision support and more. This application sharing network can aid in thinking through the changes by sharing ideas and tools.

Spring 2020 Newsletter

Resources:
Click on a topic below to see available articles and guidance documents

Topographic Wetness Index (TWI) calculated from LiDAR and used to identify potential overland flowpaths. Source: Susquehanna River Basin Commission, 2016

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If you are interested in joining the Hydrography application network please complete the form below and and click the "Submit" button. Members of the network may be invited to attend conference calls or meetings and will be able to submit reference materials such as tools, code, scripts, papers, etc.



General Hydrology Information
Pennsylvania Water Data Initiative Website
Author PA MAGIC
Date Current
Summary A website hosted by PA MAGIC that presents the Water Data Initiative in Pennsylvania. Goals, milestones, reports, background documents, and contact information are provided for GIS professionals who may be interested in joining the initiative.
Citation NA
Read Time 15 minutes


Flow Path Modeling
Enhanced Flow Path Methods Overview
Author David Saavedra
Date July 2018
Summary This paper describes the standard practices used by the Conservation Innovation Center (CIC) to derive Enhanced Flow Path (EFP) datasets. Data processing techniques are discussed (hydro-conditioning as a pre-processing step and flow accumulation as the central derivation method), as are the limitations of these techniques.
Citation Saavedra, D. (2018). Enhanced Flow Path Methods Overview: Conservation Innovation Center and Chesapeake Conservancy, 6 p. Accessed from: https://chesapeakeconservancy.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/CIC_Enhanced_Flowpath_Methods_20180703.pdf
Read Time 15 – 20 minutes
Scope #10: Methodology for developing high-resolution stream and waterbody datasets for the Chesapeake Bay watershed
Author Matthew Baker, David Saavedra, Michael Norton
Date October 2018
Summary This paper compares the suitability of different detection methods for deriving stream flow paths in different environments. In addition to the main research, a comprehensive literature review covers such methods as: process-based methods, direct-detection methods, geomorphons, and cartographic and geomorphic elimination. The authors discuss in detail their approaches to fieldwork, processing elevation data, detecting channel-like depressions, constructing channel skeletons, comparing detection methods, constructing channel networks, estimating channel width and bank height, and estimating flow permanence. The overall emphasis of this work is on geomorphon analysis and the best geomorphon parameters for individual environments. Baker et al. selected 14 study sites covering five different physiographic provinces to evaluate the applicability of various methods of mapping and data acquisition in different geographies.
Citation Baker, M., D. Saavedra, and M. Norton (2018). Scope #10: Methodology for developing high- resolution stream and waterbody datasets for the Chesapeake Bay watershed: Conservation Innovation Center and Chesapeake Conservancy, Report to Chesapeake Bay Trust, 59 p. Accessed from: https://cbtrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2018_Scope10_FinalReport_wAppendix.pdf
Read Time 2.5 - 3 hours
Elevation-Derived Hydrography Acquisition Specifications
Author Silvia Terziotti, Christy-Ann Archuleta
Date July 2020
Summary Hydrographic features derived from U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) 3D Elevation Program data, and collected for use by the USGS, must meet the specifications described in this document. The specifications described herein pertain to the final product delivered to the USGS, not to methods used to derive the hydrographic features. The specifications describe the collection area, spatial reference system, attribute table structure, feature codes and values, delineation of hydrographic features, topology, positional assessment, metadata, and delivery formats. A companion document, Elevation-Derived Hydrography—Representation, Extraction, Attribution, and Delineation Rules, defines the fields, domains, and minimum feature collection requirements for hydrography features derived from elevation data. Hydrographic features collected to this specification will be suitable for using as breaklines to hydroflatten digital elevation models, processing for preconflation of features to the National Hydrography Dataset, and using for hydroenforcement of digital elevation models.
Citation Terziotti, S., and Archuleta, C.M., 2020, Elevation-Derived Hydrography Acquisition Specifications: U.S. Geological Survey Techniques and Methods, book 11, chap. B11, 74 p. Accessed from: https://doi.org/10.3133/tm11B11
Read Time 1 - 2 hours
Elevation-Derived Hydrography—Representation, Extraction, Attribution, and Delineation Rules
Author Christy-Ann Archuleta, Silvia Terziotti
Date July 2020
Summary With the increasing availability of 3D Elevation Program (3DEP) quality high resolution elevation data across the United States and the pressing need for better integrated elevation and hydrography data, the U.S. Geological Survey is developing guidance to improve the horizontal and vertical alignment of these datasets. The U.S. Geological Survey is providing the Elevation-Derived Hydrography—Acquisition Specifications for the acquisition of elevation-derived hydrography for the United States, and the companion document The Elevation-Derived Hydrography—Representation, Extraction, Attribution, and Delineation (READ) Rules, which describes the parameters for the portrayal of hydrography features as derived from elevation data. The READ Rules provide a definition, example, attribute value list, delineation instructions, representation rules, and data extraction rules for each hydrography feature required to meet the Elevation-Derived Hydrography—Acquisition Specifications.
Citation Archuleta, C.M., and Terziotti, S., 2020, Elevation-Derived Hydrography—Representation, Extraction, Attribution, and Delineation Rules: U.S. Geological Survey Techniques and Methods, book 11, chap. B12, 60 p. Accessed from: https://doi.org/10.3133/tm11B12
Read Time 1 - 2 hours
Hydro-Modeling with LiDAR Bare-Earth DEM in ArcGIS Tutorial
Author Abigail Schaaf, Robert Vaughan, Brent Mitchell
Date Current
Summary In this tutorial you will explore lidar bare earth DEMs (digital elevation models) as they can be utilized for hydrography modeling, including: hydro-conditioning and enforcing the DEM, and creating stream networks.
Citation Schaaf, A., R. Vaughan, and B. Mitchell (2018). Hydro-Modeling with LiDAR Bare-Earth DEM in ArcGIS Tutorial, 17 p. Accessed from: https://www.fs.fed.us/eng/rsac/lidar_training/Considerations for Hydro Modeling with Lidar DEM output/story.html
Read Time 1 - 2 hours


Flow Predictions
GIS Topographic Wetness Index (TWI) Exercise Steps
Author Jeffrey Zimmerman, James Shallenberger
Date October 2016
Summary The process described herein uses a type of digital terrain analysis (DTA) resulting in a Topographic Wetness Index (TWI) that quantifies topographic controls of basic hydrological processes. Upon completion, TWI raw output is displayed as a dimensionless linear color gradient, with starting and ending point colors based on the minimum and maximum flowpath intensities unique to each catchment.
Citation Zimmerman, J. and J. Shallenberger (2016). GIS Topographic Wetness Index (TWI) Exercise Steps, 14 p. Accessed from: https://www.srbc.gov/pennsylvania-lidar-working-group/docs/twi-srbc.pdf
Read Time 30 minutes - 1 hour


Flow Accumulation
Extracting Hydro Data from Multiple LiDAR Series
Author Greggory Mirth, Eric Jespersen
Date October 2016
Summary The technical companion piece to the overview document discussing Indiana University of Pennsylvania’s efforts towards data processing and creation. This is a more technical description of the work done. The central workflow in these papers is focused on flow accumulation as a means of deriving flow paths; however, this technical report provides more detail with regards to workflow and the computational tools utilized. Includes a brief discussion/comparison of geospatial software.
Citation Mirth, G. and E. Jespersen (2016). Extracting Hydro Data from Multiple LiDAR Series: USGS Contracted Project (funding opportunity number USGS-15-FA-0516) and collaboration with Lancaster County, PaMAGIC, and Indiana University of Pennsylvania, 29 p. Accessed from: https://pamagic.org/sites/default/files/documents/Water Data/G15AC00516Technical Report_revised final_20161130.pdf
Read Time 1.5 - 2 hours


Finer-Scale Hydrology Data
NHD Pilot Project for Lancaster County / Project Overview and Findings
Author Eric Jespersen, Glenn Mohler, Robert E. Wilson
Date October 2016
Summary A companion piece to the technical report discussing Indiana University of Pennsylvania’s efforts towards data processing and creation. This is a more general description of the work done with additional findings and recommendations for a statewide application. The central workflow in these papers is focused on flow accumulation as a means of deriving flow paths.
Citation Jespersen, E., G. Mohler, and R. E. Wilson (2016). NHD Pilot Project for Lancaster County – Project Overview and Findings: USGS Contracted Project and Collaboration with Lancaster County, PAMAGIC, and Indiana University of Pennsylvania, 19 p. Accessed from: https://pamagic.org/sites/default/files/documents/Water Data/G15AC00516OverviewReport_revised final_20161110.pdf
Read Time 45 minutes - 1 hour


PA Hydrology Workshop Presentations, 2020
2020 Initiative to Date: Defining Data and Workflows for PA Hydro
Presenters Eric Jespersen, Matt Mercurio, Ellen Fehrs
Date January 2020
Using Elevation Data to Produce an Updated Hydrography Dataset for the State of Pennsylvania
Presenter Ellen Fehrs
Date January 2020
The Never-Ending Landforms of Pennsylvania Project
Presenters Mike Moore, Craig Ebersole
Date January 2020
Elevation-Derived Hydrography and the National Terrain Model Concept
Presenter Steve Aichele
Date January 2020
Elevation Derived Hydrology; Challenges and Solutions
Presenters Andrew Brenner, Cathy Power, Mischa Hey
Date January 2020
Stream Network Dynamics
Presenters Jon Duncan, Emily Kerstetter, Taylor Blackman, Jonathan Chester
Date January 2020
High-Resolution Hydrography: Ongoing Data Development
Presenters David Saavedra, Matt Baker
Date January 2020
Integration of Lidar-Derived Surface-Water with Storm-Water Systems in Washington DC into the National Hydrographic Dataset
Presenters Roger Barlow, George Onyullo
Date January 2020
Allegheny County Conservation District: Clean Water is What We Do
Presenter Heather Manzo
Date February 2020
Identifying Data Information Gaps and Approaches in Regional Water Challenges
Presenter Megan Guy
Date February 2020
SPC Sewer Inventory
Presenter Claire Jordy
Date February 2020
USACE Bathymetry
Presenter Brett Kelly
Date February 2020


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