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  5. Watershed potential erosion rate ranking system and check-dam placement suitability data within the Southern Rockies Landscape Conservation Cooperative (SRLCC)

Watershed potential erosion rate ranking system and check-dam placement suitability data within the Southern Rockies Landscape Conservation Cooperative (SRLCC)

Spatial data associated with U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2018–1127

Dates

Publication Date
Time Period
2018

Citation

Ironside, K.E., 2018, Watershed potential erosion rate ranking system and check-dam placement suitability data within the Southern Rockies Landscape Conservation Cooperative (SRLCC): U.S. Geological Survey data release, https://doi.org/10.5066/P9SEUC93.

Summary

Using Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) soil databases, topographic features derived from digital elevation models, stream networks, and regional climatic patterns, I developed a ranking system for watershed potential erosion rates and suitability for check-dam placement across the SRLCC. This ranking system serves as a first step for land managers to prioritize areas for check-dam installation based on relatively static factors (soil properties, topography, and hydrology) that can contribute to rates of soil erosion by water and the stability of check-dams. Many other relatively dynamic factors over time can contribute to rates of soil erosion by water, such as recent wildfire events, changes in weather patterns and extreme [...]

Contacts

Point of Contact :
Kirsten E Ironside
Originator :
Kirsten E Ironside
Metadata Contact :
Kirsten E Ironside
Distributor :
U.S. Geological Survey - ScienceBase
SDC Data Owner :
Southwest Biological Science Center
USGS Mission Area :
Ecosystems

Attached Files

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USGS_2018_KIronside_Check-dam_Placement_Suitability_Metadata.xml
Original FGDC Metadata
View 		34.13 KB application/fgdc+xml
Check_dam_Placement_Suitability_Data_Metadata.zip 30.14 MB application/zip

Purpose

Changes in land-use practices and the extirpation (local extinction) of beaver populations in the early 20th century during European settlement in the western USA, are believed to have resulted in many changes in how streams function. Some of the negative changes that have resulted include stream channelization, soil erosion, changing vegetation, water turbidity, and a loss of overland flow. Efforts to restore streams and reduce soil erosion by water have included reintroductions of beaver, incorporating Native American traditional knowledge of dry-land farming techniques, and the installation of rigid check-dams. Many of these efforts have been successful in improving both intermittent and perennial stream function. Therefore, stakeholders in the Southern Rockies Landscape Conservation Cooperative (SRLCC) have identified a need to prioritize streams within their region of interest for the installation of check-dams to continue restoration and conservation efforts and to improve sediment catchment.

Rights

The author of these data request that data users contact them regarding intended use and to assist with understanding limitations and interpretation. Unless otherwise stated, all data, metadata and related materials are considered to satisfy the quality standards relative to the purpose for which the data were collected. Although these data and associated metadata have been reviewed for accuracy and completeness and approved for release by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), no warranty expressed or implied is made regarding the display or utility of the data for other purposes, nor on all computer systems, nor shall the act of distribution constitute any such warranty.

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  • USGS Data Release Products
  • USGS Southwest Biological Science Center (SBSC)

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DOI https://www.sciencebase.gov/vocab/category/item/identifier doi:10.5066/P9SEUC93

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