BIG MAPS
We composed the maps below to provide a high resolution look at some of the major attributes, impacts and potential watershed restoration strategies that could inform efforts to preserve water quality and bio-diversity in the Current River Watershed.
By clicking on the thumbnail images below you will be taken to a new window of image, from here you can download the image by right-clicking a selecting 'Save image as...'
By clicking on the thumbnail images below you will be taken to a new window of image, from here you can download the image by right-clicking a selecting 'Save image as...'
Hydrology / Hydrography
Hydrology is the study of the water cycle on earth, Hydrography is the cartographic endeavor of locating and describing hydrologic features. Below we have assembled a set of maps to help you get a better idea of the hydrology and hydrography of the Current River Watershed. Check out the United States Geological Survey monitoring of current conditions on the Jack's Fork , the Current, Big Spring or on any USGS monitored rivers in the state of Missouri.
HYDROLOGY & SLOPE
Slopes provide a very articulate view of the dramatic terrain of the Current River Watershed. The cliffs and canyons along the river show up in bright red, the low mountain hillsides are yellow, and the low sloped valleys and uplands are green. We used the follow datasets to compose this map: 1:100,000 scale Missouri Valley Segment Type dataset, that was built by the Missouri Resource Assessment Project 1:24,000 scale US Geological Survey National Hydrology Dataset High Resolution Flowlines, Waterbodies, HUC 8 & HUC 12 Watershed Boundaries US Fish and Wildlife Service CONUS National Wetlands Inventory Missouri DNR Inventory of Springs and Sinkholes |
NAMED HYDROGRAPHY & KARST
This map is similar to the one to the left, however we have used a different slope gradient color theme that is less pronounced, allowing us to present a broader range of attributes and layers related to hydrology, hydrography and karst features. The sinkhole marker points on this map have been replaced with 150 meter buffers around sinkholes and sinkhole areas. In order to protect the Riverways it is imperative that the groundwater recharge zones that provide the majority of the flow to the Current and Jack's Fork Rivers. Perhaps the most interesting bit of information on this map is the dye tracing data that shows how the Current River has significant groundwater connections far outside of the surface watershed boundaries. This dataset also includes names for many of the rivers, creeks and springs in the watershed. |
RIPARIAN ZONES
Riparian zones are the critical area along the edge of rivers and water bodies, that must be protected to maintain good water quality and keep erosion from getting out of control. There are many different ways to think of the riparian zone. In this map we have presented three variations on river and stream riparian zones: 10 meter overall, 10 - 60 meter depending on Strahler Stream Order, and the alluvial floodplain. We have also included 150 meter buffers around all known sinkholes, sink areas, and losing/gaining streams. |
Land USE Land Cover
Watershed health is tied directly to land cover. A natural landscape not only supports biodiversity, but it also maintains the hydrologic balance of a river. When the landscape in a watershed is converted from a natural flora to a cultivated or developed land use, there are subsequent impacts on water quality and flooding. Learn more about Land Cover at the Land Cover Institute.
MoRAP LAND COVER 2005
This map depicts the estimated land cover during the early 2000's. We compiled this map using a 2005 land cover dataset created by the Missouri Resource Assessment Project. The map also includes a selection of hydrology, transportation and census boundary layers for context. The land use land cover data in the map was created by the Missouri Resource Assessment Project. In addition this map includes layers from the USGS, MDNR, the US Census, MoDOT and the USFWS and are all available to the public at the Missouri Spatial Data Information Service. |
NASS LAND COVER 2012
The National Agricultural Statistical Service produces a new LULC map for every state, every year, more or less. In Missouri these maps go back to 2006 and include extensive information on land cultivation, since they are derive for primarily agricultural uses. This dataset also utilizes imagery processing that has revealed many roadways not on the standard map of Missouri Roads. The land use land cover data in this map came from the NASS Cropscape website In addition this map includes layers from the USGS, MDNR, the US Census, MoDOT and the US Fish & Wildlife Service and are all available to the public at the Missouri Spatial Data Information Service. |
NPS LAND COVER 2006
The National Park Service invested in the creation of the high resolution, conservation oriented LULC dataset displayed in this map. This delineation breaks down the key ecosytems of the flora in and around the Ozark National Scenic Riverways. The land use land cover data depicted in this map was downloaded form the National Park Service IRMA (Integrated Resource Management Applications) Data Store Search. In addition this map includes layers from the USGS, MDNR, the US Census, MoDOT and the USFWS and are all available to the public at the Missouri Spatial Data Information Service. |
human impacts
Human impacts are present in just about every corner of the state, and the Current River Watershed is no exception. From road building and landscape conversion to toxics and mining, there are many potential impacts to the Current River and it's tributaries that have been documented in these maps.
HUMAN IMPACTS
Over the years there have been many impacts to the Current River Watershed. Some of these are from logging, or landscape conversion of grazing and cultivation. Some impacts are from the extensive mining and the waste left from those activities within the watershed and in the surrounding areas that may have groundwater connections to the Current River. There are also toxic sites documented by the EPA Superfund and Brownfield Programs and the Missouri Emergency Environmental Incident Respsonse Program. In addition there are potential erosion and bacteria impacts from horse trails that criss-cross the rivers and their tributaries. We have put together all of these potential impacts in this map. |
STREAM & RIVER ROAD CROSSINGS
An aquatic habitat can become fragmented as more and more roads cut across tributary streams. The cumulative effect of this fragmentation can be a loss of bio-diversity. This map depicts intersections of roadways and stream flows, indicating a stream crossing of some sort. MoVST 1:100,000 Stream crossings are indicated by a colored dot ranging from blue to orange, the dot color indicates the Strahler Stream Stream Order (a measure of stream size based on tributary heirarchy) of the stream being crossed. This gives us a basic idea of the magnitude of the crossing. NHDH 1:24,000 stream crossings are indicated by a smaller yellow dot, and are only visible on crossings not indicated by the MoVST analysis. Another measure of magnitude that we are working on the width and type of crossing (bridge, culvert, low water). ACCURACY NOTE: In some cases streams that flow alongside roadways have delineation inaccuracies that have returned a cluster of crossings. We are in the process of truthing this analysis using aerial imagery to verify stream crossings. |
ROAD DETECTION
Official road maps can leave off many smaller roads or roads on private land. Using the most recent land-use land-cover data from the NASS (National Agricultural Statistical Survey) to identify roads based on land cover class revealing many additional roadways in the watershed. Roadways that encroach on the stream corridor can be a major source of riparian degradation, erosion, sedimentation, and increased stormwater runoff. |
soils
Soils provide a window into the geologic processes that define the shape of the landscape, hydrologic processes and the resultant ecosystems.
SOIL TAXONOMY & CLASSIFICATION
Although few people have an in-depth understanding of soil taxonomy, this map can help understand the basic soil features in the watershed and provide a dimension of perspective on the unique geology that defines this watershed. |