Substrate Features |
Side Bars |
Consolidated river bed material along the margins of a reach which is exposed at low flow. |
Erosion |
Predominantly derived from eroding cliffs which are vertical or undercut banks, with a minimum height of 0.5 m and less than 50% vegetation cover. |
Water Features |
Riffle |
Area within the river channel presenting shallow and fast-flowing water. Generally over gravel, pebble or cobble substrate with disturbed (rippled) water surface (i.e., waves can be perceived on the water surface). The average depth is 0.5 m with an average total velocity of 0.7 m·s−1. |
Deep Water (Glides and Pools) |
Deep glides are deep homogeneous areas within the channel with visible flow movement along the surface. Pools are localised deeper parts of the channel created by scouring. Both present fine substrate, non-turbulent and slow flow. The average depth and is 1.3 m and the average total velocity is 0.3 m·s−1. |
Shallow Water |
Includes any slow flowing and non-turbulent areas. The average depth is 0.8 m with an average total velocity of 0.4 m·s−1. |
Vegetation Features |
Tree |
Trees obscuring the aerial view of the river channel. |
Vegetated Side Bars |
Side bar presenting plant cover in more than 50% of its surface area. |
Vegetated Bank |
Banks not affected by erosion. |
Submerged Free Floating Vegetation |
Plants rooted on the river bed with floating leaves. |
Emergent Free Floating Vegetation |
Plants rooted on the river bed with floating leaves on the water surface. |
Grass |
Present along the banks as a result of intense grazing regime. |
Shadows |
Includes shading of channel and overhanging vegetation. |