Clarke, Sharon E., Kelly M. Burnett, and Daniel J. Miller, 2008. Modeling Streams and Hydrogeomorphic Attributes in Oregon From Digital and Field Data. Journal of the American Water Resources Association (JAWRA) 44(2):459-477.

This article addressed the challenges of creating detailed stream maps covering large areas. Field surveys produce detailed data yet are costly so typically cover only small areas.  Regional digital data available through GIS covers large areas yet is often not accurate on a fine scale.  Authors combined data from field inventories and regional digital data in a model to create stream maps of the Oregon Coastal Province. Attributes developed by the model included watershed size, precipitation, flow, likelihood of perennial flow, channel gradient, channel width and depth and floodplain boundaries.   Model results of these attributes were cross-checked with field data and most indicated a high level of correlation. This model can be repeated in other watersheds and might be used to map riparian areas, identify headwater streams and determine sites suitable for salmonid habitat restoration.

Map comparing distributions of coho salmon based on modeled channel gradient and as estimated by ODFW