A Stream Classification System for the Conterminous United States

The US Stream Classification System classifies over 2.6 million stream reaches of the NHDPlus V2 stream network into different types of habitat. The classification is constructed using six habitat layers: 1) size, 2) gradient, 3) hydrology, 4) temperature, 5) bifurcation network, and 6) valley confinement. Multiple alternative classification approaches are used, where possible, for a given layer. Files are organized into six folders representing different habitat layers. Data are provided as a series of .csv files, each pertaining to one of four regions of the US split by major basins (East, UM (Upper Mississippi), LM (Lower Mississippi), and West). There are two hydrology-related .csv files for each region. The first dataset, ([region]_hydrology_classes.csv) provides predominant hydrologic classes and their probabilities. The second dataset provides probabilities of all classes. All datasets include the Common Identifier (COMID) to uniquely identify stream reaches and to cross-reference the NHDPlus V2 dataset.