Terrain‐derived measures for basin conservation and restoration planning

Centuries of human development have altered the connectivity rivers, adversely impacting ecosystems and services they provide. Significant investments in natural resource projects are made annually with goal restoring function to degraded rivers floodplains protecting freshwater resources. Yet restoration often fall short their objectives, part due lack systems-based strategic planning. To evaluate channel-floodplain (dis)connectivity erosion/incision hazard at basin scale, we calculate Specific Stream Power (SSP), an estimate energy a river, using topographically based, low-complexity hydraulic model. Other basin-wide SSP modeling approaches neglect reach-specific geometric information embedded Digital Elevation Models. Our approach leverages this generate SSP-flow curves. We extract measures from these curves that describe (dis)connected floodwater storage capacity erosion individual design storm flood stages demonstrate how may be used identify watershed-scale patterns connectivity. show proof-of-concept 25 reaches Mad River watershed central Vermont results acceptable agreement well-calibrated process-based model (2D Hydraulic Engineering Center's Analysis System) across broad range events. While planning regional conservation activities has been limited, largely computational requirements, derived models can provide overview reach-scale conditions level aid planners identifying areas for further and/or assessments.