NetMap is linking to the US Forest Service (Rocky Mountain Research Lab) geospatial databases for stream temperature (NorWeST) and flow (Variable Infiltration Capacity or VIC). These databases translate precipitation and air temperature information to stream flow and summer temperature predictions throughout river networks in the Pacific Northwest and across the western US (VIC). Databases are avaliable for NorWeST at: http://www.fs.fed.us/rm/boise/AWAE/projects/NorWeST.html and for VIC at: http://www.fs.fed.us/rm/boise/AWAE/projects/modeled_stream_flow_metrics.shtml.
The geospatial databases can be used to define and locate "Climate Shields", cold water refugia that can serve as important habitats in the face of rising air and water temperatures. When the climate, flow and fish habitat spatial databases are coupled to NetMap, NetMap's tools involving thermal loading, erosion, roads and wildfire could be used to help design stream and riparian conservation strategies across the Pacific Northwest and other parts of the western US.
The coupling of NorWeST and VIC databases will require NetMap to cross talk to the National Hydrography Dataset (NHD). This is expected to be accomplished by early 2015. A demonstration of this coupled platform will be made available to the Southwest Crown of the Continent project.
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