GIS Analysis and Database Development

GIS Analysis

Henry M. Jackson Hydroelectric Project Riparian and Aquatic Habitat Mapping

Snohomish County PUD
Meridian assessed riverine, riparian and wetland habitat on approximately 10,000 acres along a 16-mile reach of the Sultan River to quantitatively analyze and spatially represent the types and amounts of habitat available for fish, amphibians, and terrestrial species. We compiled and reviewed aerial photos, LiDAR imagery, and existing cover type mapping; developed an integrated vegetation classification system that maximized use of existing information; field-verified the classifications and mapping; and integrated the final product into the client's GIS data structure.

Columbia River Hatchery Scientific Review Group Salmonid Population Mapping

Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission and Bonneville Power Administration (with D.J. Warren and Associates)
Meridian compiled data and produced 100 maps of Chinook, steelhead, chum, coho and sockeye populations throughout the Mid and Upper Columbia River system. Data was obtained from many sources and converted to appropriate formats to depict spawning and rearing areas for each population, blocks to passage, and fishery facilities in each subbasin.

Cowlitz River Project GIS Database

Tacoma Power
Meridian compiled several sources of cover type mapping onto a project GIS database and then compared existing wildlife habitat cover types and proposed timber harvest plans to a desired ratio between cover types at future time periods. Fish habitat and riparian/wetland mapping documented river channel migration and habitat characteristics between 1939 and 1996 for a 30-mile reach of the Cowlitz River.

Database Development

Columbia River Hatchery Scientific Review Group Population Reports

Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission and Bonneville Power Administration (with D.J. Warren and Associates)
Meridian maintained large volumes of files and datasets during the HSRG's two-year evaluation of all Columbia River Basin salmon populations. We managed information for 246 individual reports on 351 populations of salmon and steelhead. A database was created to track multiple drafts of reports and spreadsheets associated with each population and to integrate numerous cycles of review comments. In addition, comments on each population from over 20 regional fishery managers were organized, compiled, and incorporated into the reports. Excel databases were created to track individual comments and how they were addressed. To meet the needs of HSRG scientists, the databases could be sorted by species, ESU/DPS, region, or by comments from reviewing agencies.

Roanoke Rapids and Gaston Reservoir Structure Database

Dominion Energy
Shoreline management plans for the hydroelectric project at Roanoke Rapids required an inventory of all structures along the 350-miles of reservoir shoreline. Meridian staff developed a customized land use permitting and data management system to maintain information on docks, retaining structures, etc., and to manage the permitting process for all reservoir structures. The Meridian-trained field crew collected data on over 7,000 structures. Coordination with reservoir managers guided development of a user friendly Windows interface to the database and features for custom data queries and reporting. A user manual was written and software installation and training provided for the reservoir managers.

Canal Maintenance Management System Database

Turlock Irrigation District
All civil structures within the irrigation district were inventoried to assess future maintenance needs and to budget capital improvements. A hierarchical data structure was designed using MS Access to record the condition of all existing features and to summarize and prioritize maintenance needs. Meridian staff worked closely with the District engineers to define efficient data collection procedures and standard terminology to allow consistent reporting among multiple inspectors. Data reports provided the opportunity to calculate projected maintenance costs and capital improvement needs. A User's Manual was prepared for this customized database and that described consistent data collection procedures.