Geomorphologic Terrain Analysis

This series of tools can help land managers determine the sensitivity of wetland, aquatic and riparian habitats to upper watershed development based on the soils and geology of the watershed.

Using the SSURGO soil database and a surficial geology layer, SIG terrain analysis tools, which include Avenue scripts and custom-designed interfaces, can be used to determine potential changes in runoff and recharge associated with development on various substrate types. Specifically, these tools can determine how changes in land cover will effect soil water recharge and soil erosion processes. SIG has developed a method for classifying soil areas based their current contribution to recharge capacity and to beach sand formation, as well as their potential contribution to sediment loads under erosive conditions. This information can additionally be used to model how land use change may alter habitats for endangered aquitic and amphibian species. These tools can be used to help land managers determine where development should be concentrated and where it should be avoided, when building in sensitive watersheds.

These tools are based on work done by SIG for Balance Hydrologics, Inc.