A Field Guide to the Identification of the Ordinary High Water Mark (OHWM) in the Arid West Region of the Western United States: A Delineation Manual

Abstract

The Ordinary High Water Mark (OHWM) is an approach for identifying the lateral limits of non-wetland waters However, determining whether any non-wetland water is a jurisdictional "Water of the United States" (WoUS) involves further assessment in accordance with the regulations, ease law, and clarifying guidance. In the Arid West region of the U.S., the most problematic Ordinary High Water (OHW) delineations are associated with the ephemeral/ intermittent channel forms that dominate the Arid West landscape. This report presents a method for delineating the lateral extent of the non-wetland waters in the Arid West using stream geomorphology and vegetation response to the dominant stream discharge.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Aug 01, 2008
Accession Number
ADA486603

Entities

People

  • Robert W. Lichvar
  • Shawn M. Mccolley

Organizations

  • Engineer Research and Development Center

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Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Chemistry
  • Climate Change
  • Drainage Basins
  • Earth Sciences
  • Environment
  • Environmental Protection
  • Floods
  • Geography
  • Geology
  • Global Positioning Systems
  • Groundwater
  • Identification
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  • Topography
  • United States
  • Water Resources

Readers

  • Wetland-Land-Environmental Management.