The High-Definition Stream Survey of The Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area, Georgia: Highlighting A Fast and Flexible Method to Document Stream Corridor Conditions Leading to Restoration Actions
James Parham, PhD
Trutta Environmental Solutions, LLC
Nashville, TN
Authors:
James E. Parham, Trutta Environmental Solutions, LLC
Annie Couch, National Park Service
Brett Connell, Trutta Environmental Solutions, LLC
Dane A. Shuman, Trutta Environmental Solutions, LLC
The High Definition Stream Survey (HDSS) approach was used to perform a Stream Corridor Assessment (SCA) along the Chattahoochee River and six tributaries within the Chattahoochee River National Recreational Area (CHAT). Field data was collected on 73.8 km (45.8 miles) during October 3-5, 2018 of the main river, and along 10.7 km (3.4 miles) of streams during June 23-25, 2020. The HDSS SCA approach was used on the river and six tributary streams to determine the existing conditions. The HDSS StreamView video was used to visually classify the six foundational stream corridor elements: streambed, right and left streambank, right and left riparian area and discrete point features (e.g., pipe, outfalls, fish barriers, etc.). The streambed, streambank and riparian areas were classified as Fully Functional, Functional, Slightly Impaired, Impaired, or Non-functional for the entire survey area. Additionally, a modification type (Unmodified, Modified, or Highly Modified) was also determined and a point severity rating of each unique discrete feature was determined. Both Corridor Function and Point Severity were used to create an SCA condition index of the stream corridor. The SCA included grouping within hierarchy of levels starting from the entire project area and ending with the specific Sites of Concern which allowed the Overall Condition, Corridor Function and discrete point features, along with all stream corridor elements to be summarized at each level. The classified data supported the creation informative maps, graphics, and statistics with the results easily understood making them ideal for strategic planning and decision support tools. As a result of the HDSS SCA project, stream restoration was competed on one Site of Concern and additional restoration projects are being developed. Additionally, the archived field data is easily reviewable for additional analysis to support other stream-related activities such as permitting, compliance, watershed planning, impact and habitat assessments, and predictive modeling, giving an excellent way to increase collaboration, decrease costs, and improve restoration outcomes.
About James Parham, PhD
Dr. Parham is the Director of Research & Development with Trutta Environmental Solutions, LLC. Dr. Parham is a Hydrologist and Aquatic Biologist with 30 years of experience in the water management profession. Dr. Parham specializes in applying the latest technology to design and deliver solutions to difficult resource management issues, including instream flow, hydropower, habitat availability, and fish passage studies. He is an expert in Geographic Information System (GIS) modeling that integrates components of hydrology, geomorphology, and fish ecology to enable improved use of freshwaters. Additionally, he serves as a research hydrologist and aquatic biologist with Bishop Museum in Honolulu, HI and as associate research fellow at the Center for Great Plains Studies at the University of Nebraska. Dr. Parham is a past President of the Tennessee Chapter of the American Fisheries Society and a Certified Fisheries Professional. He received his Ph.D. from Louisiana State University, an M.S. from the University of Guam and a B.S. from Virginia Tech.
