GIS Application to Stream Navigability

A geographic information system (GIS) application to stream navigability is presented in this paper. The work involves the study and analysis of all small and minor watercourses in Arizona aimed at identifying those streams that exhibited characteristics of navigability at the time of Arizona' statehood in 1912. A three-level screening approach is developed for the watercourse classification. Level 1 analysis employs six diagnostic stream attributes that have potential bearing on the navigability question. The watercourses that survive the first screening process are forwarded to Level 2 analysis which employs a qualitative approach and an in-depth investigation of the stream attribute data. Level 3 evaluation involves an engineering analysis of the hydrology, hydraulics, and geomorphology of streams and these are evaluated against known and established boating criteria. The result of the multi-level approach is a short-list of watercourses recommended for detailed study that will compile historical and technical evidence for final stream classification.