Spreadsheet Tools for River Evaluation, Assessment, and Monitoring: The STREAM Diagnostic Modules

Abstract

Stream physical condition is increasingly a priority for resource managers. Assessment, monitoring and restoration techniques continue to be developed and standardized. A suite of spreadsheet tools, the STREAM Modules, has been developed by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources and Ohio State University to meet the technical demand. This ongoing project began in 1998 and includes the following modules that are available at no cost: (1) Reference Reach Spreadsheet for reducing channel survey data and calculating basic bankfull hydraulic characteristics, (2) Regime Equations for determining the dimensions of typical channel form, (3) Meander Pattern that dimensions a simple arc and line best fit of the sine-generated curve, (4) Two-Stage Geometry that sizes a two-stage channel system based on regional curves and provides estimates of earthwork requirements to construct various two-stage geometries, (5) Sediment Equations which includes expanded and condensed forms of critical dimensionless shear, boundary roughness and common bed load equations, (6) Effective Discharge that, based on historic data from USGS stream gages, develops a Wolman-Miller geomorphic work plot and contains several methods for calculating the geomorphic work and the effective discharge, (7) Lane Balance educational tool, and (8) Contrasting Channels that computes hydraulic and bed load characteristics in a side-by-side comparison of two channels of different user defined forms. An overview of each module will be presented together with example applications.