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United States Environmental Protection Agency
Watershed Assessment of River Stability & Sediment Supply (WARSSS)
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List of Flowcharts, Figures, Tables & Worksheets


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    Flowcharts
    Flowchart 1 WARSSS Main Phases
    Flowchart 2
    (PDF, 17 kb, 1p.)    		 WARSSS Main Phases with Summary Descriptions
    (Click on each step for expanded descriptions)
    Flowchart 3
    (PDF, 42 kb, 1 p.)    		 WARSSS Complete Phases and Steps Master Flowchart, Detailed Version
    Flowchart 4
    (PDF, 538 kb, 9 pp.)    		 WARSSS Reconnaissance Level Assessment (RLA) Phase (Linked steps version)
    Flowchart 5
    (PDF, 538 kb, 9 pp.)    		 WARSSS Rapid Resource Inventory for Sediment and Stability Consequence (RRISSC) Phase, Summary Version (Linked steps version)
    Flowchart 6
    (PDF, 538 kb, 9 pp.)    		 WARSSS Rapid Resource Inventory for Sediment and Stability Consequence (RRISSC) Phase Flowchart, Detailed Version
    Flowchart 7
    (PDF, 538 kb, 9 pp.)    		 WARSSS Prediction Level Assessment (PLA) Phase Flowchart, Summary Version (Linked steps version)
    Flowchart 8
    (PDF, 538 kb, 9 pp.)    		 WARSSS Prediction Level Assessment (PLA) Phase Flowchart, Detailed Version
    Flowchart 9 Specific land use activities relating to surface erosion potential and delivered sediment from surface disturbance.
    Flowchart 10
    (PDF, 965 kb, 4 pp.)    		 The general procedural sequence of Prediction Level Assessment (PLA) (PLA flowcharts)
    Flowchart 11
    (PDF, 965 kb, 4 pp.)     		PLA showing reference condition analysis parallel with impaired condition (PLA flowcharts)
    Flowchart 12 Prediction of bedload transport changes due to alteration of channel dimension and/or slope. Use when reference and impaired reaches have the same bankfull discharge.
    Flowchart 13 Sediment supply/channel stability summary
    PDF Files: Some of the documents in this list are PDF files. Viewing a PDF file requires use of Adobe's free Acrobat Reader software.  *EPA's PDF page  provides information on downloading the software.
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    Figures
    Figure 1 Fall River C4 Stream type (2001) looking down-stream within ¼ mile of the alluvial fan from the Lawn Lake flood.
    Figure 2 Overland flow associated with surface erosion on compacted areas due to logging - Idaho.
    Figure 3 Debris torrent form of mass wasting erosional process - North Fork Clearwater River - Idaho.
    Figure 4 An A3a+ stream type depicting debris torrent mass wasting erosion process - Colorado
    Figure 5 Slump/earth flow erosion process adjacent to stream - Colorado
    Figure 6 Slump/earth flow erosional processes adjacent to Blue River - Colorado
    Figure 7 Critical Shear Stress for Quartz Sediment in Water as Function of Grain Size; after Shields (1936) and Lane (1955)
    Figure 8 Dimensionless transport rate of bed material in Sagehen Creek in relation to dimensionless shear stress.
    Figure 9 Relation between the ratio of threshold particle diameter to the median particle diameter of subsurface bed material and the critical dimensionless shear stress (from Andrews and Erman, 1986)
    Figure 10 Relation of bedload transport rate per unit width to streampower per unit width
    Figure 11 Comparisons of predicted and measured bedload rates for Chippewa River at Durand WI. (Lopes et al. 2001a)
    Figure 12 Dimensionless bedload transport for all historical B3 streams plotted over the pooled model for reference streams (from Troendle et al, 2001)
    Figure 13 Dimensionless suspended sediment transport for all historical B3 streams plotted over pooled model for reference streams (from Troendle et al. 2001)
    Figure 14 Broad level stream classification delineation showing longitudinal, cross-sectional, and plan views of major stream types
    Figure 15 Classification key for natural rivers (Rosgen, 1996)
    Figure 16 Downstream width hydraulic geometry for United Kingdom gravel bed rivers, W=aQb0.5 with confidence bands. Based on 36 sites in the United Kingdom with erodible banks.
    Figure 17 Downstream width hydraulic geometry for United Kingdom gravel bed rivers, W=aQb0.5 with confidence bands. Based on 43 sites in the United Kingdom withresistant banks.
    Figure 18 Example of a typical E4 stream type.
    Figure 19 Example of C4 stream type similar in size to the river in Figure 18
    Figure 20 An E4 stream type with a bankfull width of 4 feet for a bankfull discharge of 75 cfs.
    Figure 21 A stable C4 stream type with a bankfull width of 15 feet (w/d ratio 14) for approximately 80 cfs.
    Figure 22 Downstream width hydraulic geometry for North American gravel bed rivers, W=3.68 Qb0.5, and U.K. gravel bed rivers, W=2.99 Qb0.5.
    Figure 23 Hydraulic geometry relations for selected stream types of uniform size (Rosgen, 1994, 1996)
    Figure 24 E4 Stream type (from Devore 1998)
    Figure 25 F4 Stream type (from Devore 1998)
    Figure 26 Measured bedload sediment for 55 various Colorado Rivers (from Williams and Rosgen 1989)
    Figure 27 Bedload sediment rating curves stratified by stream type; from the same data set as used for Figure 26 (Rosgen 1996)
    Figure 28 "River pedestals" of the East Fork San Juan River, remnant of the previous river terrace bank, indicating high rate of lateral erosion
    Figure 29 "River pedestals" of the East Fork San Juan River, remnant of the previous river terrace bank, indicating high rate of lateral erosion.
    Figure 30 Aerial photograph (1976) of Wolf Creek, Colo. Showing C4 stream type prior to spraying
    Figure 31 Aerial photograph (1991) showing change in Wolf Creek to a D4 stream type, but little change in the upstream, untreated, (above fence line) C4 stream type. Flow is left to right
    Figure 32 Typical eroding bank on the D4 (braided) reach of Wolf Creek following willow removal from herbicide spraying
    Figure 33 Aggradation of coarse gravel and cobble on an over-wide C3 stream type on lower West Fork - Southwestern Colorado
    Figure 34 Aggradation of sand and fine gravel in a C4 stream type on Blue Joe Creek, Idaho
    Figure 35 Aggradation on Willow Creak, Colo. Due to excess sediment supply from upstream sources
    Figure 36 Example of a gully created due to degradation caused by high shear stress and stream power below the "double-barrel shotgun" effect of the culverts - Maryland
    Figure 37 Headward advancement of a degraded gully in a meadow - Colorado
    Figure 38 An over-width gravel bed stream evolving from a C4 to D4 stream type. Enlargement due to combined bank erosion on both banks and excess coarse sediment deposition from upstream source
    Figure 39 Example of a G5 gully - Florida
    Figure 40 Adjustments of channel cross-section and plan-view patterns, as stream types change or shift through a series of successional cycles
    Figure 41 Comparison of channel evolution model stages of Simon and Hupp (1986) with one morphological sequence of Rosgen stream types (from Rosgen 1999)
    Figure 42 Various channel evolution scenarios involving stream type classification
    Flowcharts | Figures | Tables | Worksheets | Top
    Figure 43 A stable C4 stream type associated with excellent riparian vegetation
    Figure 44 Unstable C4, showing higher "w/d ratio" due to accelerated streambank erosion.
    Figure 45 An unstable D4 stream type exhibiting multiple thread channels, extremely high w/d ratio (7200) and accelerated bank erosion
    Figure 46 Channel succession stage from E to an unstable C, note increase in w/d ratio
    Figure 47 After the unstable C degrades to a G, the stage shifts from G (low w/d) to F (high w/d)
    Figure 48 Channel succession stage shift from unstable F to more stable C. Bed of the former F is the new floodplain for the C stream type
    Figure 49 Succession stage showing C to E as vegetation reduces w/d ratio
    Figure 50 Water yield increase following patch clearcutting - Fool Creek, Colorado (from Troendle and Olsen 1993)
    Figure 51 Cumulative effects of clearcutting and road construction - Willow Creek drainage, Colorado
    Figure 52 Relations between discharge, sediment transport rate, frequency of occurrence, and the product of frequency and transport rate (after Wolman and Miller 1960)
    Figure 53 Suspended Sediment rating curves for South Fork Forked Deer and Hatchie River (from Simon 1989)
    Figure 54 Conversion of suspended sediment rating curves into dimensionless relation for the South Fork Forked Deer and Hatchie Rivers (from Simon 1989)
    Figure 55 Suspended sediment rating curves by channel stability ratings of various reaches of Redwood, CA (from Leven 1977, EPA 1980, and Rosgen 2001b)
    Figure 56 Dimensionless suspended sediment rating curves for "Good/Fair" streams/stability - Pagosa Springs, Colorado
    Figure 57 Dimensionless bedload sediment rating curves for "Good/Fair" streams/stability - Pagosa Springs, Colorado
    Figure 58 Examples of predicted versus measured suspended sediment data using reference dimensionless rating curve
    Figure 59 Examples of predicted versus measured bedload and suspended sediment data using reference dimensionless rating curve
    Figure 60 Example of predicted versus measured bedload and suspended sediment data using dimensionless reference curve
    Figure 61 Example of predicted versus measured suspended sediment data using dimensionless reference curve
    Figure 62 Dimensionless suspended sediment rating curves for three unstable "poor" streams, Pagosa Springs, Colorado
    Figure 63 Dimensionless bedload rating curves for three unstable "poor" streams, Pagosa Springs, Colorado
    Figure 64 Relative protrusion of bed surface
    Figure 65 Relationship of unit stream power versus discharge for Upper Wolf Creek (C4 stream type) and Lower Wolf Creek (D4 stream type)
    Figure 66 Comparison of predicted bedload using the Bagnold formula versus measured values for Upper Wolf Creek, Colorado
    Figure 67 Predicted bedload transport using the Bagnold equation versus measured values on Lower Wolf Creek (D4 stream type)
    Figure 68 Example of broad level delineation of stream types at Level 1.
    Figure 69 Example of stream type delineation (Level I) on 7½' quadrangle topographic maps on the upper reaches of the Colorado and Fraser Rivers - Colorado.
    Figure 70 Example of broad level stream type delineation using aerial photography.
    Figure 71 Reduction of potential risk of adjust channel adjustment due to flow depletion/timing change by stream type.
    Figure 72 Risk rating in relation to flow-related sediment increase from urban development.
    Figure 73 Flow related increase for rural watershed vegetative alterations.
    Figure 74 Risk rating for potential introduced sediment and channel instability by stream type based on percent riparian vegetation changed from potential.
    Figure 75 Total sediment delivery potential.
    Figure 76 Risk rating relation of percent area disturbed with greater than 50% bare soil exposed.
    Figure 77 Summary of road sediment risk ratings.
    Figure 78 Potential bank erosion hazard adjusted by stream type.
    Figure 79 Depositional features related to excess sediment/aggradation potential.
    Figure 80 Relation of slope gradient to mass wasting and surface sediment delivery potential.
    Figure 81 Sediment delivery potential of mass wasting in relation to slope position.
    Figure 82 Road impact index - sediment delivery index.
    Figure 83 Risk rating for potential sediment/channel stability for mining impacts in-channel.
    Figure 84 Risk rating relation of percent of channel impacted by stream type.
    Figure 85 Potential risk of increased sediment and channel instability based on channel enlargement potential (CEP) by stream type.
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    Figure 86 Relation between slope position to potential sediment delivery.
    Figure 87 Relation of distance of road fill disturbance from stream to estimate potential sediment delivery.
    Figure 88 Influence of road steepness on risk rating for potential sediment introduction as mocified from Reid and Dunne. (1984)
    Figure 89 Relation of ground cover to potential sediment delivery.
    Figure 90 Relation of distance of disturbance from stream to estimate potential sediment delivery.
    Figure 91 Relation of stream buffer to potential sediment delivery.
    Figure 92 Relation of potential risk for channel adjustment/sediment supply due to increase in bankfull discharge by there categories of stream types.
    Figure 93 Relation of vegetation composition to streambank erosion risk.
    Figure 94 Relation between bank height reation and streambank erosion risk.
    Figure 95 Relation between radius of curvature/width and streambank erosion risk.
    Figure 96 Risk rating in relation to channel blockage from large woody debris.
    Figure 97 Relation of risk rating for over-wide channels based on departure ration from reference condition.
    Figure 98 Relation of drainage density or slope width channel spacing.
    Figure 99 Regional curves showing bankfull dimensions vs drainage areas for various hydro-physiographic provinces (Dunn and Leopold, 1978).
    Figure 100 Development of "Regional Curves" and bankfull discharge estimates from gaging station data and site analyses.
    Figure 101 Recommended cross-section locations for bankfull stage measurements in "riffle/pool" systems.
    Figure 102 Recommended location for measurement of bankfull stage in "step/pool" systems.
    Figure 103 Computation of velocity from a resistance factor and relative roughness (Leopold et al, 2000)
    Figure 104 Conversion of a resistance (friction) factor to Manning's "n" roughness coefficient (Leopold, et al, 2000)
    Figure 105 Hydraulic geometry for Powder River, Montana (Leopold, 1994).
    Figure 106 Meander Pattern variables that influence channel stability. (modified from Galay et al. 1973)
    Figure 107 Depositional patterns used for stability assessment interpretations (Rosgen, 1996).
    Figure 108 Width/depth ratio stability rating.
    Figure 109 Width/depth ratio stability rating descriptions.
    Figure 110 Examples of bank height ratio (BHR) categories for stability evaluation.
    Figure 111 Degree of channel incision.
    Figure 112 Streambank erodibility criteria used for the BEHI rating.
    Figure 113 Illustrated examples of the five BEHI criteria.
    Figure 114 Common bank angle scenarios.
    Figure 115 Relationship of BEHI and NBS to predict annual streambank erosion rates, Colorado data, 1989 (Rosgen 1996, 2001a).
    Figure 116 Relationship of BEHI and NBS to predict annual streambank erosion rates, Yellowstone National Park data, 1989 (Rosgen 1996, 2001a).
    Figure 117 Dimensionless flow-duration curve for streamflow in the Upper Salmon River area (Emmett, 1975)
    Figure 118 Dimensionless flow duration curve, 1999-2001, Weminuche Creek
    Figure 119 Weminuche Creek 2001 suspended sediment rating curve.
    Figure 120 Weminuche Creek bedload rating curve 2001
    Figure 121 Dimensionless flow duration curve 1999-2001
    Figure 122 Relationship of sediment yield based on road impact index (basic data from USDA Forest Service, Horse Creek Watershed, Idaho, and Fool Creek, Colorado).
    Figure 123 Erosion rate recovery over time (Megahan, 1974).
    Figure 124 Stiff diagram for estimating sediment delivery (EPA, 1980).
    Figure 125 Field sample methods for bar sample.
    Figure 126 Critical shear stress (tc: Range .001 to 10) required to initiate movement of grains (particles), revised for Colorado Rivers.
    Figure 127 Sediment supply rating indices and overall summary.
    Figure 128 Collecting a bar sample
    Figure 129 Installing a scour chain
    Figure 130 Measuring the bank profile at a toe pin.
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    Tables
    Table 1 Equations for initiation of motion
    Table 2 General stream type descriptions and delineative criteria for broad-level classification (Level 1)
    Table 3 Management interpretations by stream type (Rosgen 1994, 1996)
    Table 4 Comparison of management interpretations between E4 and F4 stream types (Rosgen 1994, 1996)
    Table 5 Sediment Competence calculations for Upper Wolf (C4 stream type) and Lower Wolf Creek (D4 stream type)
    Table 6 Entrainment computation for Lower West Fork of the San Juan River
    Table 7 General influence of land use variable potentially altering stream channels and sediment supply.
    Table 8 Relation of variables influenced by land management activities and associated potential erosional process impacts.
    Table 9 Relation Between Land Uses/Activities, Processes Influenced, and Consequences
    Table 10 Information Needed for RRISSC (basic sources)
    Table 11 Relationship Among Land Uses/Activities, Process Influences, Consequences and Assessment Methods
    Table 12 Sediment risk summary for multiple sites/river reaches within a study watershed.
    Table 13 Risk rating for various stream channel successional state scenarios.
    Table 14 General guidelines for broad level high risk of mass wasting potential.
    Table 15 Combined mass wasting sediment delivery potential rating from Figures 80 & 81.
    Table 16 Channel enlargement potential.
    Table 17 Checklist of recommended procedure at USGS gage or other streamflow measurement locations.
    Table 18 Velocity gradient and near-bank stress indices.
    Table 19 FLOWSED Model.
    Table 20 Prediction of bedload transport changes due to alterations of channel dimension and/or slope (same stream with different bankfull discharges)
    Table 21 Field procedures for bar and pavement, sub-pavement samples.
    Table 22 Effectiveness monitoring
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    Worksheets
    Worksheet 1a A simple checklist of land and river management activities that may influence erosional/depositional processes, sediment supply, and river stability.
    Worksheet 1b Influence of land use variables potentially altering stream channels and sediment supply.
    Worksheet 1c Relation of variables influenced by various identified land management activities and erosional impacts.
    Worksheet 1d Evaluation and summary of criteria for selection of sub-watersheds to proceed to RRISSC phase.
    Worksheet 2 Rural watershed potential flow related sediment increase.
    Worksheet 3a Risk ratings related to streambank erosion potential.
    Worksheet 3 Worksheet for inventory and risk rating for direct impact and riparian vegetation change.
    Worksheet 4a Risk ratings for channel enlargement potential.
    Worksheet 4 Degradation Potential Summary.
    Worksheet 5a A summary of each of the risk ratings sorted by hillslope and hydrologic processes
    Worksheet 5b A summary of each of the risk ratings sorted by channel process
    Worksheet 6 Summary of risk rating results taken from key sub-drainages and river reaches.
    Worksheet 7 Risk rating worksheet for potential sediment from roads.
    Worksheet 8 Worksheet for surface erosion and sediment delivery potential inventory and risk rating form.
    Worksheet 9 Summary of Aggradation/Excess Deposition
    Worksheet 10 Sample form for recording gage station and field data
    Worksheet 11 Velocity computation worksheet using various equations (see Figures 103, 104)
    Worksheet 12 Worksheet form for stream classification.
    Worksheet 13 Summary of dimension, pattern, and profile data for reference reach and for the potentially impaired reach.
    Worksheet 14 Summary of Stability Condition Categories for Channel Process Assessment.
    Worksheet 15 Riparian vegetation composition/density used for channel stability assessment.
    Worksheet 16 Flow Regime variables that influence channel stability.
    Worksheet 17 Stream size/order variables that influence channel stability.
    Worksheet 18 Debris variables that influence channel stability.
    Worksheet 19 Modified Pfankuch channel stability rating procedure summary
    Worksheet 20 BEHI variable worksheet.
    Worksheet 21 Summary of bank erosion hazard index (BEHI).
    Worksheet 22 Bank profile worksheet.
    Worksheet 22a Methods of estimating Near-Bank Stress risk ratings.
    Worksheet 23 Total bank erosion calculation.
    Worksheet 24 FLOWSED. Calculation for determining total sediment yield from sediment rating and flow duration curves.
    Worksheet 25 POWERSED model.
    Worksheet 26 Bar sample form.
    Worksheet 26a Road Impact Index worksheet.
    Worksheet 27 Entrainment calculation form.
    Worksheet 28 Summary of individual ratings used for overall stability.
    Worksheet 29 Summary of individual ratings used for overall stability based on the integration of stability indices.
    Worksheet 29a Vertical stability prediction summary.
    Worksheet 29b Stability ratings for successional stage shifts of stream types.
    Worksheet 29c Sediment supply rating indices and overall summary.
    Worksheet 30 Channel enlargement prediction summary.
    Worksheet 31 Individual watershed summary of sediment/stability.
    Worksheet 32 Annual sediment yield by source.
    Worksheet 33 Summary of procedural steps for PLA.
    Worksheet 34 Summary of all sediment sources and river stability conclusions.
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