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Lessons Learned from Regionalizing the Stream Quantification Tool

Cidney Jones, PE & CFM
Ecosystem Planning and Restoration
Fort Montgomery, NY

The Stream Quantification Tool (SQT), an application of the Stream Functions Pyramid, provides a quantitative approach to measuring functional lift at stream restoration or mitigation sites. The accompanying Debit Calculator allows for the calculation of functional loss from permitted impacts. The first SQT was developed in 2016, and in the ensuing years new SQTs has been or are in the process of being developed for use in Alaska, Colorado, Georgia, Michigan, Minnesota, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

The process of customizing the SQT for use in a new geography is referred to as “regionalization.” Since 2016, the regionalization process has evolved and improved considerably. Following guidance laid out in the “Technical Guide for the Development, Evaluation, and Modification of Stream Assessment Methods for the Corps Regulatory Program” (David et al., 2021) this presentation will provide an overview of the current SQT regionalization process as well as the evolution of key aspects of regionalizing the SQT, including:  

• Selecting multidisciplinary project teams

• Parameter and metric selection

• Development of reference curves

• Communicating functional yield

• Implementation and long-term management

This presentation will provide useful information to anyone interested in regionalizing the SQT or another function-based stream assessment methodology.