New interactive mapping app helps visualize chances of improving stream condition

Posted May 4, 2018
The Stream Classification and Priority Explorer (SCAPE) is a web app that helps stream managers visualize how stream biointegrity scores in a watershed are likely to be limited, or “constrained,” by urban and agricultural development. SCCWRP and its partners developed the app initially for use in the San Gabriel River watershed.

SCCWRP and its partners have developed a web-based interactive mapping program to help stream managers visualize where in the San Gabriel River watershed they are more vs. less likely to find success in improving stream condition.

The Stream Classification and Priority Explorer (SCAPE) web app, unveiled in April in beta form, maps data generated by a new computer modeling tool that predicts the degree to which stream biointegrity scores are likely to be limited, or “constrained,” by urban and agricultural development. This landscape models tool also was co-developed by SCCWRP.

San Gabriel River watershed managers will be able to use the web app to determine where they should direct resources to get the biggest bang for the buck.

Various management scenarios can be run through the mapping app, which then automatically re-calculates how ranges of likely stream biointegrity scores – as assessed through the California Stream Condition Index quantitative scoring tool – are expected to change based on local landscape constraints.

SCCWRP and its partners are using the San Gabriel pilot project to evaluate how the web app could be scaled up for use in watersheds across coastal Southern California.

 

 


More news related to: Bioassessment, Indices of Biotic Integrity