Stream Identification and Assessment

How streams are identified and assessed are not consistent practices across the United States. This webpage provides links to resources that provide specific methods or approaches to identification and assessment.  

Identification

• North Carolina Division of Water Quality Stream Identification Methodology Manual (2010)  

• North Carolina Stream Identification and Mapping (2008)  

• Stream Assessment and Mitigation Protocols: A Review of Commonalities and Difference (2010; EPA)

• EPA Factsheet on Wetland Biological and Hydrogeomorphological Assessments 

• Physical Stream Assessment: Review of Selected Protocols for Use in Clean Water Act Section 404 Program (EPA, 2004)

• Vermont Geomorphic Assessment

• VIMS-Forested Headwater Wetland Hydrogeomorphic (HGM) Model 

• EPA Function-based Framework for Stream Assessment and Restoration Projects 

• Galveston District Stream Assessment Procedure

• Texas Rapid Assessment Method (2010)

• Chicago USACE District Stream Mitigation Methodology

• Iowa Warm Water, Cold Water and Recreational Use

• Idaho Body Identification (WBID) System

• Equations for Estimating Bankfull Channel Geometry and Discharge for Streams in Massachusetts  (USGS Scientific Investigations Report 2013-5155)

• Kansas Corps Stream Mitigation Guidance

• Montana TMDL Stream Identification

• New Hampshire Stream Crossing Assessment Protocol

• North Carolina Stream Identification Manual and Form

• New Jersey Technical Manual Flood Hazard Area Control Act Rules

• Primary Headwater Habitat Assessment Protocol

• Oregon Removal-Fill Guide

• Oregon Sreamflow Duration Assessment Guide

• U.S. Army Corps Charleston District Guidance

• Tennessee Guidance for Making Hydrological Determination

• Virginia Unified Stream Methodology

• Vermont Guidance on Identification of Perennial Streams

Assessment  

• Colorado Functional Assessment

• Little Rock Arkansas Distric Method 

• Florida Stream Bio Assessment 

• Florida Unified Stream Assessment Methodology 

• Georgia Field Guide for Determining the Presence of State Waters that Require a Buffer

• Idaho Water Body Assessment Guidance 

• Illinois Biological Stream Rating System

• Missouri Stream Mitigation Method (2013)

• NCSAM Functional Assessment 

• Corps Stream Quality Assessment Worksheet (NC)

• Nebraska Stream Assessment and Mitigation Procedure

• New Jersey Flood Hazard Area Control Act Technical Manual

• New Mexico Assessment SOPs

• North Dakota Macroinvertebrate Collection SOP

• RBP – Rapid habitat Assessment Forms

• Oregon Stream Assessment Methodology

• Texas Commission on Environmental Quality: Surface Water Quality Monitoring Procedures, Vol. 2 - Methods for Collecting and Analyzing Biological Assemblage & Habitat Data

• Virginia Unified Stream Methodology

• Vermont Stream Geomorphic Assessment

• West Virginia Stream and Wetland Valuation Method