A Refined Stream Classification System Generated for the Appalachians
Unfortunately, standardized information was lacking for the Appalachian landscape, in part because the ‘northern’ and ‘southern’ systems of the Appalachian LCC don’t match up well. The Cooperative funded researchers from The Nature Conservancy’s Northeast Region to unify state-based stream classifications into a single consistent system.
This research developed a classification and map for stream and river systems that represents the region’s natural flowing-water aquatic habitats. The study includes a "Story Map" illustrating the mapped classification system for streams and rivers, a report describing methods used to evaluate and develop the classification system, a literature review of existing stream classifications, and a GIS stream data set.