NWDTW 2024

Mobile data collection has become common place in natural resources monitoring. Mobile data collection to map features (feature mapping) is the collection of data based on GPS location using tools that function across many mobile devices. This facilitates collective data efforts from many organizations and efficiently stores them in centralized datasets. This data collection method can be conducted across wide spatial and temporal scales and is easily implemented into ongoing fieldwork efforts. We have established two feature mapping mobile data collection tools for characterizing stream flow permanence and road-stream crossings. Our objective with these feature mapping efforts is to create usable and accessible peer reviewed, publicly available datasets to accompany easy to use assessment surveys.
We describe two collaboratively produced tools for efficient monitoring of headwater streams: FLOwPER and RoadxStr. FLOwPER (FLOw PERmanence) was developed by a team of scientists from the U.S. Geological Survey, U.S. Forest Service, and Bureau of Land Management. FLOwPER allows rapid collection of stream flow permanence observations that are being applied to model probabilities of perennial flows in headwater streams. RoadxStr is a survey tool that effectively characterizes road-stream crossings. This tool was collaboratively developed with inputs from a national and regional (Pacific Northwest) group of biologists, hydrologists, geomorphologists, and road engineers representing several different government agencies and non-governmental organizations. The broad range of experience and expertise incorporated into RoadxStr ensures the data collected meets management needs while being transferable across existing road-stream crossing datasets. Preliminary results from field surveys indicate that FLOwPER and RoadxStr are capable of quickly producing thousands of new observations on critical features of streams across broad extents.