Two-dimensional hydrologic modeling to evaluate aquatic habitat conditions

We describe the modeling and mapping procedures used to examine aquatic habitat conditions and habitat suitability of a small river in north- central West Virginia where fish survival and reproduction in specific reaches are poor. The study includes: (1) surveying cross sections of streambed reaches and measuring discharges and corresponding water-surface elevations, and (2) GIs-based mapping of the streambed and hydrologic modeling of watersurface elevations under different discharges based on field data. Using flow duration curves developed from historic data, we develop maps of water depths associated with different flow durations. Cooperating biologists will use these results to examine habitat connectivity under various flow conditions and to develop correlations between water depth in different habitats with physical and biological parameters such as temperature, dissolved oxygen, and periphyton populations. The results will be applied to other reaches in the river where fish survival and reproduction also are poor.