26 Sep 2025

Rapid Assessment Tool for Channel Hydraulics and Floodplain Connectivity

Abstract: This technical note (TN) presents a rapid, nationally applicable web application for analyzing channel hydraulics and floodplain connectivity. The tool uses locally derived relative elevation models (REMs) that allow users to quantify hydraulics, like velocity and shear stress, and floodplain connectivity metrics, like inundation extent and storage volume (Haring and Dougherty, forthcoming).* By delineating cross sections directly from publicly available high-resolution terrain, the tool provides a rapid hydraulic assessment without requiring field survey data and also helps prioritize reaches for more detailed assessments.