DEVELOPMENT OF AQUATIC HABITATS MAPS USING A GEOREFERENCED UNDERWATER VIDEO MAPPING SYSTEM

• Sponsoring Institution: National Institute of Food and Agriculture
• Project Status: COMPLETE
• Funding Source: HATCH
• Reporting Frequency: Annual
• Accession No.: 0219746
• Project Start Date: Oct 1, 2009
• Project End Date: Sep 30, 2014
• Program Code: [(N/A)]- (N/A)

Recipient Organization
UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE
2621 MORGAN CIR
KNOXVILLE,TN 37996-4540

Performing Department
Biosystems Engineering & Soil Science

Non Technical Summary
Accurate physical descriptions of riverine features are important to environmental management agencies for habitat classification and management strategy. River mechanics data such as pool, riffle, run sequence, substrate particle size, water depth, flow rate, sinuosity, and rigosity are important physical features used to define specific river habitats. Because habitat characteristics are dynamic in a natural river, it is important to know not only what types of physical habitat exist in a river system, but also exactly where along the river these features are located. The advances in GPS and sensors provide an opportunity for large-scale river system mapping.

Animal Health Component

(N/A)

Research Effort Categories

Basic

(N/A)

Applied

(N/A)

Developmental

(N/A)

Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)	Subject of Investigation (SOI)	Field of Science (FOS)	Percent
135	0310	2020	30%
402	0310	2020	30%
404	0310	2020	40%

Knowledge Area
135 - Aquatic and Terrestrial Wildlife; 404 - Instrumentation and Control Systems; 402 - Engineering Systems and Equipment;

Subject Of Investigation
0310 - River basins;

Field Of Science
2020 - Engineering;

Keywords

gps

gis

river mechanics

underwater video

Goals / Objectives
The overall objective of this research is to use Underwater Video Mapping System (UVMS) data to quantify and predict physical river characteristics at various National Park Service (NPS) and Military Installation river systems. This objective is met by - completing comprehensive aquatic habitat map at the desired locations, - developing a predictive model relating important river mechanics factors such as pool, riffle, run (PRR), substrate, depth, flow, gradient, sinuosity, rigosity, heterogeneity, and embeddedness, - measuring a physical health index based on the Qualitative Habitat Evaluation Index (QHEI) requirements using UVMS data, - developing a Habitat Suitability Index for defining suitable habitat for endangered aquatic species, and - defining cross-sectional depth profiles using the sonar depth sensor.

Project Methods
River sections selected for surveying will depend on needs and coordination with the NPS and U.S. Army. These agencies are interested in river management and endangered aquatic species habitat locations. UVMS data includes above and underwater video, sonar depth, and WAAS differentially corrected GPS (DGPS) information recorded on the NMEA 0183 GPGGA stream, including latitude, longitude, velocity, and course (National Marine Electronics Association, 1995; Federal Aviation Administration, 2007). Additional data are time, date, GPS quality, river flow, and metadata. All UVMS data are georeferenced using RedHen GeoVideo software working inside ESRI ArcGIS 9.3 mapping software. Above water and underwater video footage can be viewed synchronously with georeferenced river position on a digital background map. The UVMS data will be quantified and statistically analyzed using SAS software and modeled based on river mechanics factors useful in habitat assessment. Thematic habitat maps are overlaid on a Trails Illustrated topographic park map. UVMS factors will be fitted to the Qualitative Habitat Evaluation Index (QHEI) developed by the Ohio EPA. UVMS data will be assessed for suitability in fulfilling requirements for QHEI factors, and the QHEI index may be modified to accommodate differences in mapping techniques and data availability A customized habitat suitability index (HSI) is used for each species. By quantifying preferred habitat criteria and ranking these conditions numerically, a mean habitat number will categorize all criteria into one of four categories. Sequentially, they are: optimal, sub-optimal, marginal, and sun-marginal. The HSI blends a mixture of a river's environmental characteristics and habitat locations are reconciled and shown throughout the park. Cross-sectional depth profiles can be determined by operating a zig-zag pattern while collecting GPS and depth sonar data. Changes in cross-section down the length of a river system can be determined and graphed in ArcGIS.

Progress 10/01/09 to 09/30/14

Outputs
Target Audience: This research is intended for use by riverine managers involved in managing river systems. Also of interest would be engineers and scientists involved in applyiing GPS and sensor applications towards watershed and river system surveys. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Presentations at National and regional meetings and webinars. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Presentations at National and regional meetings, and webinars. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Nothing Reported

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? GIS maps using new survey sensors and technologies for streambank videomapping for determining streambank erodibility and stream erosivity based on EPA guidelines were generated and presented to the scientific communities. Snorkel mapping techniques for conducting underwater fish surveys were implemented. GIS products were presented to aquatic managers of the Driftwood river, Upatoi creek, and East Fork of Poplar Creek. These were used to determine streambank erosion for underwater sediment distribution and TMDL's. This method is now being implemented into current streambank erosion surveys and TMDL calculations by consulting firms, EPA and TSMP.

Publications

• Type: Theses/Dissertations Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Estimating streambank erosion using GPS-based watershed-scale video mapping and USEPA BANCS for the development of sediment TMDLs. MS Thesis. UT Knoxville.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: GPS-based snorkel videomapping as an innovative survey technique for monitoring and mapping wild Brook trout populations in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Refereed Conference Proceeding for the Wild Trout Symposium. West Yellowstone, WY.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Mapping watershed-scale streambank erosion using EPA-BANCS for determining TMDLs. Presented at the AWRA GIS and Water Resources Conference. Snowbird, UT.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Kayak-based videomapping of watershed-scale streambank erosion using EPA-BANCS. Poser presented at the AWRA GIS and Water Resources Conference. Snowbird, UT.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: River mapping for endangered species habitat and streambank erosion assessment: Case studies at Fort Benning and Camp Atterbury. Presented at the National Military Fish and Wildlife Association, Denver, CO.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Streambank erosivity and substrate mapping using SVMS on the East Fork Poplar Creek. Poster presented at the 2014 Watershed Symposium, Knoxville TN.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Predicting site-specific daily streambank erosion to develop TMDLs for sediment using GPS-based watershed scale video mapping and EPA BANCS. Presented at the 2014 Watershed Symposium, Knoxville TN.
• Type: Websites Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: GPS-based underwater video mapping for aquatic threatened and endangered species habitat (PWTB 200-1-114). Presented at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Environmental Community of Practice (ECoP)/Center of the Advancement of Sustainable Innovations (CASI) Public Works Technical Bulletin (PWTB) Series. Webinar.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Kayak-based videomapping for river system management. Presented at the 2014 RMS Conference, Denver, CO.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: GPS-based snorkel videomapping as an innovative survey technique for monitoring and mapping wild Brook trout populations in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Presented at the Wild Trout Symposium. West Yellowstone, WY.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Outstandingly remarkable value identification and assessment using georeferenced videomapping. Presented at the 2014 RMS Conference, Denver, CO.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Kayak-based videomapping river systems for determining habitat distribution and large-scale wild trout population monitoring. Poster presented at the Wild Trout Symposium. West Yellowstone, WY.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: River mapping for species at risk mussel habitat and streambank erosion on the Driftwood River. Presented at the Camp Atterbury Natural Resources Workshop, Edinburgh, IN.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Total river streambank erosion mapping using EPA-BANCS for determining TMDLs. Presented at the 2014 ASABE Conference, Montreal, Canada.

Progress 01/01/13 to 09/30/13

Outputs
Target Audience: The target audience is scientific and academic professionals. Changes/Problems: Added streambank ersoion mapping as part of aquatic habitat mapping. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Presentations at National and regional meetings. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Presentations at National and regional meetings. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Continue development of techniques to generate GIS maps and TMDL's for rivers and streams.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? GIS maps using new survey sensors and technologies for streambank videomapping for determining streambank erodibility and stream erosivity based on EPA guidelines were generated and presented to the scientific communities. Snorkel mapping techniques for conducting underwater fish surveys were implemented. GIS products were presented to aquatic managers of the Driftwood river, Upatoi creek, and East Fork of Poplar Creek. These were used to determine streambank erosion for underwater sediment distribution and TMDL’s.

Publications

• Type: Journal Articles Status: Under Review Year Published: 2013 Citation: Connell, B., P. Ayers, K. Swinson. 2013. GIS-Based streambank video mapping to determine erosion susceptible areas. Under review by AWRA.
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Under Review Year Published: 2013 Citation: Swinson, K. and P. Ayers. 2013. Georeferenced sonar-based river depth measurement for cross-sectional and thalweg profile mapping. Under review by Transactions of the ASABE
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Ayers, P. D., K. Hensley, D. Wade, K. Swinson, B. Connell, B. McConkey, J. Candlish, C. King, A. Shpik, W. Barbour, and M. Ellison. 2013. Kayak-based videomapping river systems for determining optimal habitat for endangered fish and mussels. Presented at the Southern District AFS, Nashville, TN.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Ayers, P. D., W. Barbour, A. Smith, B. Connell, K. Swinson, C. King, and A. Shpik. 2013. GPS-based snorkel survey mapping and under structure video exploration for aquatic population monitoring. Presented at the Southern District AFS, Nashville, TN.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Hensley, K., P. D. Ayers, K. Swinson, and B. Connell. 2013. Developing a method to determine site-specific daily streambank erosion using GPS-based watershed scale video mapping. Presented at the TN AWRA Conference. Burns, TN.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Hensley, K., P. D. Ayers, K. Swinson, and B. Connell. 2013. Predicting site-specific daily streambank erosion using GPS-based watershed scale video mapping and EPA BANCS. Presented at the ASABE Conference, Kansas City, MO.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Wade, D., P. D. Ayers, K. Hensley, and S. Brooks. 2013. Streambank erosivity and substrate mapping using SVMS on the East Fork Poplar Creek. Presented at the TN AWRA Conference. Burns, TN.

Progress 01/01/12 to 12/31/12

Outputs
OUTPUTS: Connell, B., P. Ayers and K. Swinson. 2012. Sensor and video technology for landscape-scale streambank erosivity and river hydraulic characteristic mapping. Poster presented at the 2012 TN AWRA Conference. Burns, TN. Ayers, P. , K. Swinson, B. Connell, B. McConkey, J.R. Candlish, M. Ellison, and C. King. 2012. Mapping Tennessee river systems with sensor technology and georeferenced above and below water video. Presented at the 2012 TN AWRA Conference. Burns, TN. Connell, B. and P. Ayers. 2012. Streambank video mapping to determine erosion susceptible areas. Presented at the 2012 TN AWRA Conference. Burns, TN. Ayers, P. 2012. GIS-based landscape-scale aquatic habitat maps for BISO, OBRI and GRSM river systems. Presented at the 2012 Southeast GIS symposium, Atlanta, GA. Connell, B., P. Ayers, S. Bakaletz, K. Swinson, J.R. Candlish, and C. King. 2012. GIS-based landscape-scale river mapping for Tennessee river systems. Presented at the 2012 TN AFS Conference, Spencer, TN. Ayers, P. , K. Swinson, B. Connell, B. McConkey, J.R. Candlish, C. King, J. Bevington and M. Ellison. 2012. GIS-based landscape-scale river mapping for virtual video access. Presented at the 2012 RMS Conference, Asheville, NC. Ayers, P. , K. Hensley, K. Swinson, B. Connell, B. McConkey, J.R. Candlish, C. King, J. Bevington, M. Ellison and W. Barbour. 2012. GIS-based watershed-scale river mapping. Poster presented at the 2012 RMS Conference, Asheville, NC. Ayers, P. 2012. GIS-based underwater and stream bank mapping to map aquatic habitat and identify areas of erosion. Presented at the ORNL, Environmental Division Seminar Series, Oak Ridge, TN. Ayers, P. and B. Connell. 2012. Landscape-scale GPS-based videomapping of streambank erosion susceptibility. Presented at the 2012 ASABE Conference, Dallas, TX. Hensley, K., P. Ayers, B. Connell, and K. Swinson. 2012 GIS-based stream bank mapping to identify areas of erosion potential on the Driftwood River. Presented at the 2012 Watershed Symposium, Knoxville, TN. Ayers, P., K. Swinson, B. Connell, B. McConkey, J.R. Candlish, C. King, M. Ellison. 2012. GIS-based landscape-scale river habitat and stream bank mapping for Tennessee river systems. Paper prepared for the ASABE 21st Century Watershed Technology Conference and Workshop, Bari, Italy. Ayers, P. and B. Connell. 2012. Landscape-scale streambank erodibility and river hydraulic characteristic mapping. Paper presented at the 2012 AWRA GIS Specialty Conference. New Orleans, LA. Ayers, P. and B. Connell. 2012. Geospatial solutions using GIS-based landscape-scale river maps for Tennessee river systems. Poster presented at the 2012 AWRA GIS Specialty Conference. New Orleans, LA. Ayers, P., B. Connell, and K. Swinson. 2012. GIS-based Stream bank mapping to identify areas of erosion potential on rivers/streams within military installations. Poster presented at the NWFWA Conference. Atlanta, GA. PARTICIPANTS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. TARGET AUDIENCES: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.

Impacts
New survey sensors and technologies for streambank videomapping for determining streambank erodibility and stream erosivity based on EPA guidelines were developed and presented to the scientific communities. Snorkel mapping techniques for conducting underwater fish surveys were developed. GIS products were presented to aquatic managers at the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area, Obed Wild and Scenic River, and Abrams creek. These were used to determine endangered aquatic species habitat locations. New streambank erosion GIS products were generated for new projects at the Oak Ridge National Labs, and 2 U.S. Army installations.

Publications

• Ayers, P., K. Swinson, B. Connell, B. McConkey, J.R. Candlish, C. King, M. Ellison. 2012. GIS-based landscape-scale river habitat and stream bank mapping for Tennessee river systems. Paper prepared for the ASABE 21st Century Watershed Technology Conference and Workshop, Bari, Italy. Ayers, P. and B. Connell. 2012. Landscape-scale streambank erodibility and river hydraulic characteristic mapping. Paper prepared for the 2012 AWRA GIS Specialty Conference. New Orleans, LA.

Progress 01/01/11 to 12/31/11

Outputs
OUTPUTS: Ayers, P. M. Ellison, K. Swinson, B. Connell, B. McConkey, J. R. Candlish, C. King, and J. Bevington. 2011. GIS-based landscape river mapping for Tennessee river systems. Poster presented at the Watershed Symposium. University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Swinson, K., P. Ayers, H. Howard, and M. Peterkin. 2011. Using sonar‐based river depth measurement for cross‐sectional and thalweg profile mapping. Presented at the 11th Annual American Ecological Engineering Society Meeting, Asheville, NC. Ayers, P., K. Swinson, J. R. Candlish, B. McConkey, B. Connell, C. King, S. Bakaletz, R. Schapansky, M. Kulp, and J. Herrig. 2011. GIS-based landscape-scale aquatic habitat maps for Tennessee river systems. Presented at the 11th Annual American Ecological Engineering Society Meeting, Asheville, NC. Connell, B. and P. Ayers. 2011. Streambank/shoreline video mapping system to determine erosion susceptible areas. Presented at the 11th Annual American Ecological Engineering Society Meeting, Asheville, NC. Bevington, J. and P. Ayers. 2011. Streambank and underwater mapping using GPS-based video. Poster presented at the 11th Annual American Ecological Engineering Society Meeting, Asheville, NC. Ayers, P., S. Bakaletz, R. Schapansky, M. Kulp, and J. Herrig. 2011. Mapping aquatic habitat and fish populations for Tennessee river systems. Presented at the Tennessee Chapter of the American Fisheries Society Annual Meeting, Montgomery Bell State Park, TN. King, C. P. Ayers, B. Connell, K. Swinson, and J. Herrig. 2011. Snorkel Camera Underwater Video Mapping System (SCUVMS) for georeferenced fish population analysis. Poster presented at the Tennessee Chapter of the American Fisheries Society Annual Meeting, Montgomery Bell State Park, TN. Ayers, P., S. Bakaletz, R. Schapansky, M. Kulp, and J. Herrig. 2011. Creating aquatic and fish habitat maps for Tennessee river systems. Presented at the 19th Annual Southern Division of the American Fisheries Society Annual Meeting, Tampa, FL. Ayers, P. 2011. Underwater video mapping for assessing and monitoring coral reef ecosystem health and fish habitat. Poster presented at the 19th Annual Southern Division of the American Fisheries Society Annual Meeting, Tampa, FL. King, C. P. Ayers, B. Connell, K. Swinson, and J. Herrig. 2011. Snorkel camera underwater video mapping system for georeferenced fish population analysis. Poster presented at the 19th Annual Southern Division of the American Fisheries Society Annual Meeting, Tampa, FL. PARTICIPANTS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. TARGET AUDIENCES: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.

Impacts
New technologies for streambank videomapping for determining streambank erodibility were developed and presented to the scientific communities. Snorkel mapping techniques for conducting underwater fish surveys were developed. GIS products were presented to aquatic managers at the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area, Obed Wild and Scenic River, and Abrams creek. These were used to determine endangered aquatic species habitat locations.

Publications

• No publications reported this period

Progress 01/01/10 to 12/31/10

Outputs
OUTPUTS: The following outputs were disseminated: Ayers, P. D., and T. G. Prather. 2010. New Technologies for Mapping and Monitoring Land and Water Trail Attributes. 20th American Trails National Symposium, Chattanooga, TN. Nov 15, 2010. Ayers, P. D., B. McConkey, JR. Candlish, and K. Swinson. 2010. GPS-based underwater video for aquatic habitat mapping. Poster presented at the River Society Management Meeting, Portland OR May. Ayers, P. D., B. McConkey, JR. Candlish, K. Swinson, and S. Bakaletz. 2010. Creating river habitat maps for the Obed and Big South Fork River Systems. Presented at the Southern District of the American Fisheries Society, Asheville NC, Feb 25-28. Ayers, P. D., K. Swinson, H. Howard, and M. Peterkin. 2010. Underwater video mapping to determine aquatic TES habitat in the Driftwood River at Camp Atterbury, Indiana. Presented at the National Military Fish and Wildlife Association Proceedings, Milwaukee WI, March 22-26. Ayers, P. D., K. Swinson, H. Howard, and M. Peterkin. 2010. Underwater video mapping to determine aquatic TES habitat in the Driftwood River at Camp Atterbury. Presented at the Annual Training Support System Workshop - Chicago, IL, August. Ayers, P. D., K. Swinson, H. Howard, M. Peterkin, and C. King. 2010. Underwater video mapping to determine potential population sources for TES/SAR in the Driftwood River at Camp Atterbury. Poster presented at the SERDP Partnering Workshop - Washington DC December. Ayers, P. D., K. Swinson, J. Herrig, and P. Rakes. 2010. Aquatic habitat mapping using georeferenced underwater video in the Citico Creek, Cherokee National Forest. Presented at the Southern District of the American Fisheries Society, Asheville NC, Feb 25-28. Swinson, K., P. D. Ayers, H. Howard, and M. Peterkin. 2010. Using sonar-based river depth measurement for cross-section and thalweg profile mapping. Presented at the ASABE Annual International Meeting. Swinson, K. and P. Ayers. 2010. GIS-based river habitat mapping in the Obed Wild and Scenic River. Presented at the Cumberlands Habitat Conservation Planning Meeting, Crossville, TN. October 27. Ayers, P. D. 2010. Underwater video mapping system. Red Hen Newsletter. Ayers, P. D., and J. Hughes. 2010. Underwater video habitat mapping at Obed Wild and Scenic River. Park Science 27(2):24-25. PARTICIPANTS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. TARGET AUDIENCES: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.

Impacts
New technologies for underwater Videomapping were developed and presented to the scientific communities. Techniques for conducting underwater fish surveys were developed. GIS products were presented to aquatic managers at the Cherokee National Forest, Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area, Driftwood River and Obed Wild and Scenic River. These were used to determine endangered aquatic species habitat locations.

Publications

• Candlish, JR. 2010. Aquatic Habitat Mapping within the Obed Wild and Scenic River (OBRI) for Threatened and Endangered Species Habitat Delineation. MS Thesis.
• McConkey, B. 2010. Georeferenced Riverine Habitat Mapping in the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area. MS Thesis.
• Ayers, P. D., K. Swinson, H. Howard, and M. Peterkin. 2010. Underwater video mapping to determine aquatic TES habitat in the Driftwood River at Camp Atterbury, Indiana. National Military Fish and Wildlife Association Proceedings, Milwaukee WI, March 22-26.