River-transect locations used in spatial analyses of geomorphic change along the lower, middle, and upper reaches of the Elwha River, Washington

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Frequently anticipated questions:

What does this data set describe?
Who produced the data set?
Why was the data set created?
How was the data set created?
How reliable are the data; what problems remain in the data set?
How can someone get a copy of the data set?
Who wrote the metadata?

What does this data set describe?

Title:

River-transect locations used in spatial analyses of geomorphic change along the lower, middle, and upper reaches of the Elwha River, Washington

Abstract:

This data release provides transect locations used for GIS analyses of geomorphic change along the Elwha River, Washington conducted by East and others (2018). The transect locations are represented by fixed points, spaced 250 meters (m) apart, placed along the length of the middle and lower river reaches (excluding the Lake Mills and Lake Aldwell reservoirs) and along a control reach in Geyser Valley, upstream of the historic Elwha and Glines Canyon dam sites. To account for migration of the river channel through time, metrics such as river width were calculated from transects generated within a GIS at each point location, oriented orthogonal to the general river-corridor orientation at the time of image collection.

Supplemental_Information:

Any use of trade, product, or firm names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government. Although this Federal Geographic Data Committee-compliant metadata file is intended to document the data set in nonproprietary form, as well as in Esri format, this metadata file may include some Esri-specific terminology.

How might this data set be cited?
Foxgrover, Amy C., East, Amy E., and Ritchie, Andrew C., 20250423, River-transect locations used in spatial analyses of geomorphic change along the lower, middle, and upper reaches of the Elwha River, Washington: data release doi:10.5066/P13RXGHA, U.S. Geological Survey, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center, Santa Cruz, CA.
Online Links:
- https://doi.org/10.5066/P13RXGHA
- https://www.sciencebase.gov/catalog/item/67102ac4d34edd2692096271
This is part of the following larger work.
Foxgrover, Amy C., East, Amy E., and Ritchie, Andrew C., 2025, River margin and braid shapefiles digitized from aerial images of the Elwha River, Washington, 2006 to 2022: data release doi:10.5066/P13RXGHA, U.S. Geological Survey, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center, Santa Cruz, CA.
Online Links:
- https://doi.org/10.5066/P13RXGHA
- https://www.sciencebase.gov/catalog/item/67101d9ed34edd2692096223
Other_Citation_Details:
Suggested Citation: Foxgrover, A.C., East, A.E., and Ritchie, A.C., 2025, River margin and braid shapefiles digitized from aerial images of the Elwha River, Washington, 2006 to 2022: U.S. Geological Survey data release, https://doi.org/10.5066/P13RXGHA.
What geographic area does the data set cover?
West_Bounding_Coordinate: -123.618082
East_Bounding_Coordinate: -123.536187
North_Bounding_Coordinate: 48.154180
South_Bounding_Coordinate: 47.940374
What does it look like?

https://www.sciencebase.gov/catalog/file/get/67102ac4d34edd2692096271?name=Elwha_margins_and_transect_overview.png&allowOpen=true (PNG)
Map of Elwha River margins and transect locations overlying 2013 NAIP imagery.
Does the data set describe conditions during a particular time period?

Beginning_Date: 2006

Ending_Date: 2022

Currentness_Reference:

ground condition at time data were collected
What is the general form of this data set?
Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: vector digital data (points)
How does the data set represent geographic features?
1. How are geographic features stored in the data set?
  This is a Point data set. It contains the following vector data types (SDTS terminology):
  - Point (76)
2. What coordinate system is used to represent geographic features?
  
  Grid_Coordinate_System_Name: Universal Transverse Mercator
  Universal_Transverse_Mercator:
  UTM_Zone_Number: 10
  Transverse_Mercator:
  Scale_Factor_at_Central_Meridian: 0.9996
  Longitude_of_Central_Meridian: -123.0
  Latitude_of_Projection_Origin: 0.0
  False_Easting: 500000.0
  False_Northing: 0.0
  
  Planar coordinates are encoded using coordinate pair
  Abscissae (x-coordinates) are specified to the nearest 0.6096
  Ordinates (y-coordinates) are specified to the nearest 0.6096
  Planar coordinates are specified in meters
  The horizontal datum used is NAD83_National_Spatial_Reference_System_2011.
  The ellipsoid used is GRS_1980.
  The semi-major axis of the ellipsoid used is 6378137.0.
  The flattening of the ellipsoid used is 1/298.257222101.

How does the data set describe geographic features?

Elwha_transect_locations.shp

Point shapefile attribute table information for the specified river reaches. (Source: Producer defined)

FID

Internal feature number (Source: Esri) Sequential unique whole numbers that are automatically generated

Shape

Feature geometry (Source: Esri) Shape type

RiverReach

Specific reach of the Elwha River. (Source: Producer defined)

Value	Definition
LR	lower river, downstream of the historic Elwha Dam site
MR	middle river, located upstream of the historic Elwha Dam, but downstream of the historic Glines Canyon Dam
CR	control reach, located upstream of both dams, at the downstream end of Geyser Valley

TransectID

Unique transect ID for each point location denoted by river reach, followed by a number. (Source: Producer Defined) Transect ID. MR_1 is located at the up-river extent of the middle reach (near the former site of the Glines Canyon Dam) and continues down river, sequentially through MR_35. LR _36 is at the up-river extent of the lower reach (near the former site of the Elwha Dam) and increases sequentially to LR_62 at the mouth of the Elwha River. The control reach, located in Geyser Valley begins with CR_1 at the down-river extent and increases sequentially, continuing upriver to CR_14.

UTM_X

UTM, X (easting) coordinate position in meters (Source: Producer Defined)

Range of values
Minimum:	455,244.377241
Maximum:	459,587.902723

UTM_Y

UTM, Y (northing) coordinate position in meters (Source: Producer Defined)

Range of values
Minimum:	5,310,122.80783
Maximum:	5,332,495.2333

Entity_and_Attribute_Overview:

Point shapefile of transect locations used for GIS analyses of geomorphic change along the Elwha River, Washington conducted by East and others (2018).

Entity_and_Attribute_Detail_Citation:

The entity and attribute information were generated by the individual and/or agency identified as the originator of the data set. Please review the rest of the metadata record for additional details and information.

Who produced the data set?

Who are the originators of the data set? (may include formal authors, digital compilers, and editors)
- Amy C. Foxgrover
- Amy E. East
- Andrew C. Ritchie
Who also contributed to the data set?
To whom should users address questions about the data?

U.S. Geological Survey, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center

Attn: PCMSC Science Data Coordinator

2885 Mission Street
Santa Cruz, CA

831-427-4747 (voice)

pcmsc_data@usgs.gov

Why was the data set created?

Two large dams were removed from the Elwha River in Washington, starting in 2011 and ending in 2014. The Elwha and the Glines Canyon dams were located approximately 7 km and 20 km upstream, respectively, from the Elwha River's mouth on the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Dam removal changed the river's sediment budget and water flow, which affected the river's morphology. Variability in channel width and river braiding derived from 30 aerial imagery datasets collected from 2006 to 2022 are provided here to document geomorphic change before, during, and after dam removal. These data are intended for science researchers, students, policy makers, and the general public. These data can be used with geographic information systems or other software to assess spatial and temporal variability along the lower, middle, and upper reaches of the Elwha River.

How was the data set created?

From what previous works were the data drawn?
NAIP imagery (source 1 of 4)
USDA-FSA Aerial Photography Field Office, 2013, National Agriculture Imagery Program (NAIP) ortho imagery: U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), online.
Online Links:
- https://nrcs.app.box.com/v/naip/
Type_of_Source_Media: online database
Source_Contribution:
NAIP orthomosaic imagery from 20060625, 20090827, 20110903, and 20130831 was used to digitize the location of river margins and braids for the study area.
DOT imagery (source 2 of 4)

Washington State Department of Transportation, Unpublished material, WA Department of Transportation (DOT) Air Photos 0534-0-16, Photos 016-42 to 016-46, 1:12,000 scale: Washington State Department of Transportation, Olympia, Washington.

Type_of_Source_Media: Digital Resources
Source_Contribution:
DOT aerial photos collected on 20080403 were used to digitize the location of river margins and braids for the study area.

Border Area imagery (source 3 of 4)
Orthoimagery, Border Area, 2008, 3001, Inc. High Resolution Orthoimage USNG 10UDU575325, Olympic NP WA AOI, OBP Sector Blaine: 3001, Inc., Peachtree City, GA.
Online Links:
- https://doi.org/10.5066/F73X84W6
Type_of_Source_Media: Digital Resources
Source_Contribution:
U.S. border area orthomosaic imagery collected on 200800813 was used to digitize the location of river margins and braids for the study area.
USGS plane cam orthoimagery (source 4 of 4)
Ritchie, Andrew C., Winter, Brian D., and Warrick, Jonathan A., 2025, Elwha PlaneCam - Aerial imagery and derivatives from periodic and event-response surveys of the Elwha River, Olympic Mountains, and Washington Coast: U.S. Geological Survey, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center, Santa Cruz, California.
Online Links:
- https://doi.org/10.5066/P9M3NYWI
- https://cmgds.marine.usgs.gov/data-services/rscc/Elwha_PlaneCam/
Type_of_Source_Media: Digital Resources
Source_Contribution:
USGS orthomosaic imagery datasets collected from April 2012 through September 2022 used to digitize the location of river margins and braids for the study area. Imagery collected at comparable river discharge was selected whenever possible. The range of daily, average discharge for the 25 sets of images selected is 8-56 cubic meters per second (median 26) at USGS gauge 12045500 (https://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis/inventory). Images are from 20120407, 20120810, 20121108, 20121127, 20121224, 20130116, 20130213, 20130327, 20130430, 20130831, 20140201, 20140930, 20150303, 20150923, 20160111, 20160930, 20170922, 20171212, 20180905, 20190903, 20200220, 20200909, 20210908, 20220309, and 20220912.
How were the data generated, processed, and modified?
Date: 2017 (process 1 of 4)
The processes and methods used for deriving the Elwha River margins and braids as well as geomorphic metrics such channel width and braiding at the fixed transect locations provided here, are outlined in East and others (2018); please refer to that for more information beyond the general overview summary provided in this document
Date: 2022 (process 2 of 4)
Download orthomosaic imagery and project into UTM, Zone 10N, NAD83(2011) Data sources used in this process:
- NAIP imagery
- DOT imagery
- Border Area imagery
- USGS plane cam orthoimagery
Data sources produced in this process:
- UTM imagery
Date: 2022 (process 3 of 4)
Fixed points representing transect locations for geospatial analyses were created in the approximate center of the main channel and placed roughly 250 m apart along the length of the middle and lower river reaches (excluding the Lake Mills and Lake Aldwell reservoirs) and along a control reach in Geyser Valley, upstream of the historic Elwha and Glines Canyon dam sites. These transect locations were used for GIS analyses of geomorphic change along the Elwha River, Washington conducted by East and others (2018). To account for migration of the river channel through time, metrics such as river width were calculated from transects generated within a GIS at each point location, oriented orthogonal to the general river-corridor orientation at the time of image collection. Data sources used in this process:
- UTM imagery
Data sources produced in this process:
- Elwha transect points
Date: 20-May-2025 (process 4 of 4)
The metadata file was edited to correct an originator name. No data were changed. (mau@usgs.gov)
What similar or related data should the user be aware of?
East, Amy E., Logan, Josh B., Mastin, Mark C., Ritchie, Andrew C., Bountry, Jennifer A., Magirl, Christopher S., and Sankey, Joel B., 2018, Geomorphic evolution of a gravel-bed river under sediment-starved versus sediment-rich conditions: River response to the world's largest dam removal.
Online Links:
- https://doi.org/10.1029/2018JF004703
Other_Citation_Details:
East, A. E., Logan, J. B., Mastin, M. C., Ritchie, A. C., Bountry, J. A., Magirl, C. S., and Sankey, J. B. (2018). Geomorphic evolution of a gravel-bed river under sediment-starved versus sediment-rich conditions: River response to the world's largest dam removal. Journal of Geophysical Research: Earth Surface, 123, 3338-3369. https://doi.org/10.1029/2018JF004703
Ritchie, Andrew C., Curran, Christopher A., Magirl, Christopher S., Bountry, Jennifer A., Hilldale, Robert C., Randle, Timothy J., and Duda, Jeff J., 2018, Data in support of 5-year sediment budget and morphodynamic analysis of Elwha River following dam removals.
Online Links:
- https://doi.org/10.5066/F7PG1QWC
Other_Citation_Details:
Ritchie, A.C., Curran, C.A., Magirl, C.S., Bountry, J.A., Hilldale, R.C., Randle, T.J., and Duda, J.J., 2018, Data in support of 5-year sediment budget and morphodynamic analysis of Elwha River following dam removals: U.S. Geological Survey data release, https://doi.org/10.5066/F7PG1QWC.

How reliable are the data; what problems remain in the data set?

How well have the observations been checked?
No formal attribute accuracy tests were conducted.
How accurate are the geographic locations?
A formal accuracy assessment of the horizontal positional information in the data set has either not been conducted or is not applicable.
How accurate are the heights or depths?
A formal accuracy assessment of the vertical positional information in the data set has either not been conducted or is not applicable.
Where are the gaps in the data? What is missing?
Data set is considered complete for the information presented, as described in the abstract. Users are advised to read the rest of the metadata record carefully for additional details.
How consistent are the relationships among the observations, including topology?
No formal logical consistency tests were conducted.

How can someone get a copy of the data set?

Are there legal restrictions on access or use of the data?

Access_Constraints	No access constraints
Use_Constraints	USGS-authored or produced data and information are in the public domain from the U.S. Government and are freely redistributable with proper metadata and source attribution. Please recognize and acknowledge the U.S. Geological Survey as the originator(s) of the dataset and in products derived from these data. This information is not intended for navigation purposes.

Who distributes the data set? (Distributor 1 of 1)

U.S. Geological Survey - ScienceBase

Denver Federal Center, Building 810, Mail Stop 302
Denver, CO

1-888-275-8747 (voice)

sciencebase@usgs.gov
What's the catalog number I need to order this data set? File (Elwha_River_transect_locations.zip) contains a point shapefile of transect locations, representing the approximate midpoint of the mainstem channel. Since the channel position migrates over time, geospatial analyses were conducted by drawing trasects through the point location, with an orientation perpendicular to the general river-corridor at the time of image collection.
What legal disclaimers am I supposed to read?
Unless otherwise stated, all data, metadata and related materials are considered to satisfy the quality standards relative to the purpose for which the data were collected. Although these data and associated metadata have been reviewed for accuracy and completeness and approved for release by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), no warranty expressed or implied is made regarding the display or utility of the data on any other system or for general or scientific purposes, nor shall the act of distribution constitute any such warranty.

How can I download or order the data?

Availability in digital form:

Data format:	These files (.cpg, .dbf, .prj, .sbn, .sbx, .shp, and .shx) are a collection of files with a common filename prefix and must be downloaded and stored in the same directory. Together they are the components of the shapefile. in format Shapefile (version ArcGIS Pro 3.3.1) Esri point shapefile Size: 0.01
Network links:	https://www.sciencebase.gov/catalog/file/get/67102ac4d34edd2692096271?name=Elwha_River_transect_locations.zip https://www.sciencebase.gov/catalog/item/67102ac4d34edd2692096271 https://doi.org/10.5066/P13RXGHA

Cost to order the data: None

What hardware or software do I need in order to use the data set?
These data can be viewed with GIS software such as ArcGIS, QGIS, or Global Mapper.

Who wrote the metadata?

Dates:: Last modified: 20-May-2025
Metadata author:: U.S. Geological Survey, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center

Attn: PCMSC Science Data Coordinator

2885 Mission Street
Santa Cruz, CA

831-427-4747 (voice)

pcmsc_data@usgs.gov
Metadata standard:: Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata (FGDC-STD-001-1998)

This page is <https://cmgds.marine.usgs.gov/catalog/pcmsc/DataReleases/ScienceBase/DR_P13RXGHA/Elwha_transect_location_metadata.faq.html>