An automated technique for delineating and characterizing valley-bottom settings

Accurate delineation and characterization of valley-bottom settings is crucial to the assessment of the biological and geomorphological components of riverine systems; yet, to date, most valley-bottom mapping endeavors have been done manually. To improve this situation, we developed automated techni...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Environmental monitoring and assessment 2000-09, Vol.64 (1), p.105-114
Main Authors: WILLIAMS, W. A, JENSEN, M. E, WINNE, J. C, REDMOND, R. L
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Areal geology. Maps
Automation
Earth sciences
Earth, ocean, space
Environmental monitoring
Exact sciences and technology
Geographic information systems
Geologic maps, cartography
Hydrography
Marine and continental quaternary
Remote sensing
River basins
Studies
Surficial geology
Valleys
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Summary:Accurate delineation and characterization of valley-bottom settings is crucial to the assessment of the biological and geomorphological components of riverine systems; yet, to date, most valley-bottom mapping endeavors have been done manually. To improve this situation, we developed automated techniques in a Geographic Information System (GIS) for delineating and characterizing valley-bottom settings in river basins ranging in size from approximately 1,000-10,000 km^sup 2^. All procedures were developed with ARC/INFO GIS software and fully automated in Arc Macro Language (AML). The GRID module is required for valley-bottom delineation and slope calculations; whereas characterization (i.e., measuring the width of the valley-bottom zone) requires Coordinate Geometry (COGO) in the ARCEDIT module. The process requires three inputs: a polygon coverage of the analysis area; an arc coverage of its hydrography, and a grid representing its digital elevation. The AML is designed to operate within a wide range of computer memory/disk space options, and it allows users to customize several procedures to match the scale and complexity of a given analysis area with available computer hardware.[PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]
ISSN:0167-6369
1573-2959
DOI:10.1023/A:1006471427421