NetMap's Watershed Assessment
Watershed Attribute: The drainage area of the watershed located above each channel segment.
Data Types: Line (stream layer)
Field Name: AREA_SQKM
Units: Square kilometers
NetMap Level 1 Module/Tool:Fluvial Processes/Network Variables
Model Description: Based on flow accumulation, drainage area is the sum of all pixels located upstream of every delineated channel segment. Channel drainage area is included as a standard NetMap parameter and a stand-alone model is not required. Drainage area is an important attribute in estimating characteristics such as channel width, discharge, stream power and fish habitat. Predicting drainage area requires calculating flow accumulation using a digital elevation model.
Figure 1. Drainage area is important for interpreting channel types and other aquatic parameters
and it can also be used to classify aquatic habitats.
