Metadata for Channel Migration Zone of the Yellowstone River Metadata for Channel Migration Zone of the Yellowstone River

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Identification Information:

Citation:

Originator: DTM Consulting, Inc.; Bozeman, MT

Publication date: 2024

Title: Channel Migration Zone of the Yellowstone River

Publication place: Helena, Montana
Publisher: Montana State Library

Online linkage: https://ftpgeoinfo.msl.mt.gov/Data/Spatial/NonMSDI/Collections/CMZ/CMZ_Yellowstone/

Larger Work Citation:

Title: Yellowstone River Clearinghouse GIS Layers
Online linkage: https://mslservices.mt.gov/Geographic_Information/Data/DataList/datalist_Details.aspx?did={17daa910-aba0-11e3-a5e2-0800200c9a66}

Abstract:

The Channel Migration Zone was updated in 2024 for Park County. The original ESRI personal geodatabase containing the Channel Migration Zone (CMZ) developed for the Yellowstone River was created in 2009. The CMZ extends from Gardiner, Montana to the River's confluence with the Missouri River in McKenzie County, North Dakota. Also included are the various datasets used in the development of the CMZ, such as geology designations and channel migration vectors.

View all Yellowstone CMZ GIS data here:
https://ftpgeoinfo.msl.mt.gov/Data/Spatial/NonMSDI/Collections/CMZ/CMZ_Yellowstone/

View Yellowstone River Clearinghouse GIS data here:
https://ftpgeoinfo.msl.mt.gov/Data/Spatial/NonMSDI/Collections/
Yellowstone_River_Clearinghouse/Geodatabases/

CMZ mapping is based on the understanding that rivers are dynamic and move laterally across their floodplains through time. As such, over a given time period, rivers occupy a corridor area whose width is dependent on rates of channel shift. This dataset includes polygons representing areas likely to be affected by channel movement.

The primary layer in this geodatabase is CMZ_complete, which shows the regions within the CMZ classified as to whether they are in the 2001 channel, the Avulsion Hazard Zone (AHZ), the Historic Migration Zone (HMZ), Alluvium, High Terrace, Low Terrace, or Outwash Terrace. Each classification may additionally be specified as being in a Restricted Migration Area (RMA), meaning that there are artificial bank protection features between the river and the RMA region.

Avulsion Hazard Zones (AHZ) are areas of rapid channel avulsion. Alluvium and the three Terrace types are all areas of slow channel migration, which are collectively called "erosion buffers." Erosion buffer widths are dependent on the local geology type and the rate of historic migration since 1950. Historic Migration Zones (HMZ) are areas previously occupied by the channel, based on the historic imagery.

Other datasets in the geodatabase:
CMZ_boundary_only -- This dataset shows the outer boundary of the CMZ, excluding Restricted Migration Areas.

Geologic_Breaks -- represents the breaks used to differentiate geology when creating the erosion buffers of the CMZ. Because channel migration rates are dependent on local geology, erosion buffer widths are also variable. Each line in the dataset represents a hand-drawn boundary between two geology types and, consequently, erosion buffers of different widths.

Geology_Points -- represents the points used to identify geology when creating the erosion buffers of the CMZ. This point layer identifies the geology of the areas between the breaks.

Migration Lines -- Three lines were drawn at each location, tracing the path of channel migration from 1950 to 2001. The average length of the three lines determined the migration distance at that location. This distance, as well as local geology, determined the erosion buffer width at that location.

RMA_Lines -- lines representing obstructions within the Channel Migration Zone. They are a demarcation of bank protection features in the floodplain that restrict natural channel migration. This feature class was used to cut the CMZ polygons so areas behind bank protection features could be attributed as RMAs.

Buffers -- is a table that shows the buffer distances applied within each reach of the study area to the 2001 channel to created the CMZ.

Purpose:

Data was developed to support the Yellowstone River Cumulative Effects Study, and to assist the Yellowstone River Conservation District Council in their efforts developing best management practices.

Time period of content:

Calendar date: 2024
Currentness reference: publication date

Status:

Progress: Complete

Access constraints: None

Use constraints:

The corridor delineations presented in this geodatabase are intended to provide a basic screening tool to help guide and support management decisions within the Yellowstone River corridor. The expanse of the project area requires that the results are broad-scale in nature, and therefore less precise than highly detailed site-specific analyses. The results are unequivocally not intended to replace or override site-specific assessments; conversely, they are intended to highlight areas that would warrant such assessments as necessary.

The Montana State Library provides this product/service for informational purposes only. The Library did not produce it for, nor is it suitable for legal, engineering, or surveying purposes. Consumers of this information should review or consult the primary data and information sources to ascertain the viability of the information for their purposes. The Library provides these data in good faith but does not represent or warrant its accuracy, adequacy, or completeness. In no event shall the Library be liable for any incorrect results or analysis; any direct, indirect, special, or consequential damages to any party; or any lost profits arising out of or in connection with the use or the inability to use the data or the services provided. The Library makes these data and services available as a convenience to the public, and for no other purpose. The Library reserves the right to change or revise published data and/or services at any time.

Point of contact:

Jim Robinson
Montana DNRC
PO Box 201601
Helena, MT 59620-1601
Telephone: 406-444-4247
E-Mail: jrobinson@mt.gov

Data set credit:

Data was prepared by Applied Geomorphology, Inc. and DTM Consulting, Inc. for the Yellowstone River Conservation District Council.

Data Quality Information:

Lineage:

Process step:: Banklines from 1950s, 1970s, 1990s and 2001 image sets were converted to polygons and combined; this became the Historic Migration Zone (HMZ).

2001 imagery was compared to that of the 1950s to locate areas of channel migration. At each migration area, three lines were drawn that connected the 1950s bank to its 2001 location. The lengths of the three lines were averaged and recorded.

Different erosion buffers were created based on the mapped and/or interpreted geology and the migration rates evident since the 1950s. The HMZ and erosion buffers comprise the CMZ.

Avulsion Potential Zones (APZs) were added later based on an interpretation of the imagery and elevation data. Areas of the CMZ isolated from the 2001 river channel by bank and floodplain protection features were tagged as Restricted Migration Areas (RMAs).

Spatial Data Organization Information:

Point and vector object information:

SDTS object type: G-polygon

SDTS object count: 9250

Spatial Reference Information:

Horizontal coordinate system definition:

Grid coordinate system name: State Plane Coordinate System

SPCS zone identifier: 2500

Lambert conformal conic:

Standard parallel: 45.000000
Standard parallel: 49.000000
Longitude of central meridian: -109.500000
Latitude of projection origin: 44.250000
False easting: 600000.000000
False northing: 0.000000

Planar distance units: meters

Geodetic model:

Horizontal datum name: North American Datum of 1983
Ellipsoid name: Geodetic Reference System 80
Semi-major axis: 6378137.000000
Denominator of flattening ratio: 298.257222

Entity and Attribute Information:

Entity type label: CMZ_complete

Attribute label: OBJECTID

Attribute definition: Internal feature number.

Attribute label: Shape

Attribute definition: Feature geometry.

Attribute label: Reach_ID

Attribute definition: Reach identifier.

Attribute label: CMZ_TYPE

Attribute definition: Portion of the CMZ represented by the polygon.

Attribute label: Shape_Length

Attribute definition: Length of feature in internal units.

Attribute label: Shape_Area

Attribute definition: Area of feature in internal units squared.

Entity type label: Migration_Lines

Attribute label: OBJECTID

Attribute definition: Internal feature number.

Attribute label: Shape

Attribute definition: Feature geometry.

Attribute label: MATERAIL_TYPE

Attribute definition: Material that the river is migrating into.

Attribute label: COMMENTS

Attribute definition: Description of the channel migration line.

Attribute label: REACH_ID

Attribute definition: Reach identifier.

Attribute label: SITE_ID

Attribute definition:: Each site contains 3 migration lines. This Site ID number identifies each trio of lines.

Attribute label: FIELD

Attribute definition: Field access notes.

Attribute label: Shape_Length

Attribute definition: Length of feature in internal units.

Distribution Information:

Distributor:

Montana State Library
PO Box 201800
Helena, MT 59620-1800
Telephone: 406-444-5354
Telephone: 406-444-5354
TDD/TTY telephone: Montana Relay 711
Fax: 406-444-0266
E-Mail: geoinfo@mt.gov
E-Mail: geoinfo@mt.gov

Resource description: Downloadable Data

Distribution liability:

The Montana State Library provides this product/service for informational purposes only. The Library did not produce it for, nor is it suitable for legal, engineering, or surveying purposes. Consumers of this information should review or consult the primary data and information sources to ascertain the viability of the information for their purposes. The Library provides these data in good faith but does not represent or warrant its accuracy, adequacy, or completeness. In no event shall the Library be liable for any incorrect results or analysis; any direct, indirect, special, or consequential damages to any party; or any lost profits arising out of or in connection with the use or the inability to use the data or the services provided. The Library makes these data and services available as a convenience to the public, and for no other purpose. The Library reserves the right to change or revise published data and/or services at any time.

Standard order process:

Digital form:

Metadata Reference Information:

Metadata date: 09/30/2024

Metadata contact:

Tony Thatcher
DTM Consulting, Inc.
211 N Grand Suite J
Bozeman, MT 59715
Telephone: 406-585-5322
E-Mail: tony@dtmgis.com