A Guide to Identification of Bankfull Stage in the Northeastern United States (2005-1) Elon S. (Sandy) Verry

Consistent identification of bankfull stage is essential for stream evaluations, stream restoration, fish habitat assessments, and stream-related design and construction. To help with this critical task, the former Stream System Technology Center (now a part of the National Stream and Aquatic Ecology Center) issued training material presented in a series of learning modules.

The Guide to Identification of Bankfull Stage in the Northeastern United States (Rocky Mountain Research Station General Technical Report RMRS-GTR-133-CD) is available from the National Stream and Aquatic Ecology Center.  Contact David Levinson.

Identifying Bankfull Stage in Forested Streams in the Eastern United States (2003) M. Gordon Wolman, William W. Emmett, Elon S. Verry, Daniel A. Marion, Lloyd W. Swift Jr., Gary B. Kappesser

Aquatic organism passage at road-stream crossings has been the subject of engineering, fisheries, hydrology, and wildlife specialists’ concern for many decades. This webinar introduces the concept of stream simulation design and provides an overview of the components of assessment, design, and construction of a stream simulation design road-crossing structure.

DVD version: Closed captions, contact Dave Levinson.

MP4 - (no captions)

A Guide for Field Identification of Bankfull Stage in the Western United States (1995) Luna B. Leopold, William W. Emmett, Hilton L. Silvey, David L. Rosgen

Bankfull discharge is important because the bankfull stage is the level at which water begins to flow over the floodplain. When water flows over the floodplain, then it is by definition a flood. Bankfull discharge is also important because of its role in forming the physical dimensions of the channel. Flows near bankfull stage move the most sediment over the long-term and the processes of sediment transport and deposition are most active in forming the channel.

Bankfull stage is often difficult to identify in the field. This video discusses key steps and demonstrates techniques that can be used to consistently identify bankfull levels for a variety of different streams and rivers in the western United States.

DVD version: Closed captions, contact Dave Levinson.

MP4 - (no captions)

Identifying Bankfull Stage in the Eastern and Western United States

A Guide for Field Identification of Bankfull Stage in the Western United States (31 minutes, closed captioned, 1995) and Identifying Bankfull Stage in Forested Streams in the Eastern United States (46 minutes, closed captioned, 2003) are both available on one DVD from the National Stream & Aquatic Ecology Center.  Contact Dave Levinson.