The Interactive Catchment Explorer (ICE) is a dynamic visualization for exploring catchment characteristics and environmental model predictions. ICE is part of the Spatial Hydro-ecological Decision System (SHEDS).
First time here? Watch the introductory video.
ICE is intended for resource managers and researchers to identify spatial patterns related to ecological conditions, identify priority locations for restoration or further study, and explore complex, multivariate environmental datasets and model results.
ICE was designed using a number of core interactive visualization principles and provides the following functionalities:
ICE is currently supported on the latest versions of all major web browsers. Google Chrome is highly recommended for the best user experience. ICE is not intended for use on mobile devices.
Note that ICE is a memory-intensive application. Older computers may have difficulty rendering the interface resulting in sluggish performance. If you run into issues, we recommend closing all other programs and browser tabs to increase available memory.
Interactive Catchment Explorer v0.4 (click here to watch in HD).
ICE includes results from multiple hydrologic and ecological models. A description, list of recent updates, and list of variables available in ICE are described for each model below.
Daily stream temperature is modeled using a nested/hierarchical bayesian model based on observation data collected by researchers, NGOs, and state and federal agencies. The model is based on air temperature, precipitation, day of the year, upstream impounded water area, and percent forest, agriculture, and development. The model includes sub-basins (8-digit Hydrologic Unit Code) as a random effect to account for spatial correlation and a 1-day autoregressive function to account for temporal autocorrelation. The model has a root mean squared error of 0.60 C for the fitted data and 0.74 C for data at randomly held out validation sites indicating extremely good predictive power.
Model Last Updated: April 9, 2015
| Variable | Description |
|---|---|
| Mean Summer Temp (C) | Mean temperature during June-Aug across all years |
| Mean Days per Year > 18 C | Mean number of days per year where temperature exceeds 18 C |
| Mean Days per Year > 22 C | Mean number of days per year where temperature exceeds 22 C |
The brook trout occupancy model is a logistic generalized linear mixed model for the probability of occupancy based on presence-absence data collected by state and federal agencies to model the using. The model includes a random watershed effect (10-digit Hydrologic Unit Code) to account for spatial correlation of nearby connected streams. The probability of occupancy is modeled as a function of landscape and land-use characteristics such as drainage area, percent forest, agriculture, and development, and environmental conditions including annual mean summer precipitation and annual mean July temperature derived from the daily stream temperature model.
Model Last Updated: May 20, 2015
| Variable | Description |
|---|---|
| Probability of Brook Trout Occupancy | Predicted probability of Brook Trout under current conditions |
| Threshold Temp (C) for 30% Occupancy | Maximum change in water temperature to still achieve 30% occupancy |
| Threshold Temp (C) for 70% Occupancy | Maximum change in water temperature to still achieve 70% occupancy |
| Occupancy Prob w/ 2 C Incr. in July Temp | Occupancy probability for each catchment with a 2 C increase in mean July stream temperature |
| Occupancy Prob w/ 4 C Incr. in July Temp | Occupancy probability for each catchment with a 4 C increase in mean July stream temperature |
| Occupancy Prob w/ 6 C Incr. in July Temp | Occupancy probability for each catchment with a 6 C increase in mean July stream temperature |
Model Last Updated: July 20, 2015
| Variable | Description |
|---|---|
| Probability of Salamander Occupancy | Predicted probability of salamander occupancy under current conditions |
| Prob. of Salamander Occupancy w/ 2 C Incr. | Occupancy probability for each catchment with a 2 C increase in stream temperature |
| Prob. of Salamander Occupancy w/ 4 C Incr. | Occupancy probability for each catchment with a 4 C increase in stream temperature |
| Prob. of Salamander Occupancy w/ 6 C Incr. | Occupancy probability for each catchment with a 6 C increase in stream temperature |
ICE combines data from a number of sources. These datasets are grouped into two categories: Catchment Characteristics and Model Output.
The Catchment Characteristics are area-weighted mean values computed for each catchment from GIS individual layers.
| Variable | Source |
|---|---|
| Upstream Drainage Area (sq km) | High Resolution Catchment Delineation by Kyle O'Neil |
| Elevation (m) | NALCC Digital Elevation Model (DEM) 30m Resolution Layer |
| Forest Cover (%) | National Land Cover Database (NLCD) 2011 |
| Forest-Deciduous Cover (%) | National Land Cover Database (NLCD) 2011 |
| Forest-Evergreen Cover (%) | National Land Cover Database (NLCD) 2011 |
| Open Water Cover (%) | Fish & Wildlife Service (FWS) National Wetlands Inventory |
| Agriculture Cover (%) | National Land Cover Database (NLCD) 2011 |
| Impervious Cover (%) | National Land Cover Database (NLCD) - 2011 - Impervious |
| Developed Cover (%) | National Land Cover Database (NLCD) - 2011 |
| LCC Development Score | |
| # Dams in Catchment | The Nature Conservancy - Dams Dataset |
| # Dams Upstream | The Nature Conservancy - Dams Dataset |
| # Culverts in Catchment | |
| Road Length per Catchment Area (km/km2) |
Vermont Enhanced 911 Board (EmergencyE911_RDS.zip) 2010 U.S. Census TIGER Products |
| Mean Summer Precipitation (mm/mon) | PRISM Climate Group |
ICE is developed by:
ICE is funded by the NE Climate Science Center, North Atlantic Landscape Conservation Cooperative, USGS and DOI Hurricane Sandy Restoration funds, and the USGS National Climate Science Center.