U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

 Division of Refuge Planning
Mountain-Prairie Region

Hydrogeomorphic analysis

Benton Lake NWR | Cokeville Meadows NWR | Lee Metcalf NWR | Quivira NWR | Seedskadee NWR

Hydrogeomorphic methodology (HGM) analyzes historical and current information:

  • geology and geomorphology (the study of landforms and the processes that created them)
  • soils
  • topography and elevation
  • hydrologic (water cycle) condition and flood frequency
  • aerial photographs and maps
  • land cover and vegetation communities
  • key plant and animal species
  • physical human-caused features of an ecosystem

HGM provides a context to understand an area's physical and biological formation, features, and ecological processes. This historical assessment becomes the baseline condition to determine what changes have occurred in an ecosystem. HGM helps define the capability of an area to provide key ecosystem functions and values and identifies options to restore and sustain ecological processes and resources.

Benton Lake National Wildlife Refuge, Montana

An Evaluation of Ecosystem Restoration and Management Options for Benton Lake National Wildlife Refuge
(6 MB PDF)

2009

By section, for faster download:
Contents, Executive Summary (2 MB PDF)
Introduction (PDF)
The Historic Benton Lake Ecosystem (2 MB PDF)
Changes to the Benton Lake Ecosystem (2 MB PDF)
Ecosystem Restoration and Management Options (PDF)
Monitoring and Evaluation (PDF)
Acknowledgements, Literature Cited, Appendices (1 MB PDF)

Cokeville National Wildlife Refuge, Wyoming

An Evaluation of Ecosystem Restoration and Management Options for Cokeville Meadows National Wildlife Refuge
(9 MB PDF)

2010

By section, for faster download:
Contents, Executive Summary (1 MB PDF)
Introduction (PDF)
The Historic Cokeville Meadows Ecosystem (3 MB PDF)
Changes to the Cokeville Meadows NWR Ecosystem (2 MB PDF)
Options for Ecosystem Restoration and Management (1 MB PDF)
Monitoring and Evaluation (PDF)
Acknowledgements, Literature Cited, Appendices (3 MB PDF)

Lee Metcalf National Wildlife Refuge, Montana

An Evaluation of Ecosystem Restoration and Management Options for
Lee Metcalf National Wildlife Refuge
(7 MB PDF)

2010

By section, for faster download:
Contents, Executive Summary (1 MB PDF)
Introduction (PDF)
The Historic Lee Metcalf Ecosystem (2 MB PDF)
Changes to the Lee Metcalf Ecosystem (4 MB PDF)
Ecosystem Restoration and Management Options (1 MB PDF)
Monitoring and Evaluation (PDF)
Acknowledgements, Literature Cited, Appendices (2 MB PDF)

Quivira National Wildlife Refuge, Kansas

Hydrogeomorphic Evaluation of Ecosystem Restoration and Management Options for Quivira National Wildlife Refuge
(5 MB PDF)

2012

By section, for faster download:
Contents, Executive Summary (1 MB PDF)
Introduction (1 MB PDF)
The Historical Quivira Ecosystem (3 MB PDF)
Changes to the Quivira NWR Ecosystem (1 MB PDF)
Options for Ecosystem Restoration and Management (PDF)
Monitoring and Evaluation (PDF)
Acknowledgements, Literature Cited, Appendixes (1 MB PDF)

Seedskadee National Wildlife Refuge, Wyoming

Hydrogeomorphic Evaluation of Ecosystem Restoration and Management Options for Seedskadee National Wildlife Refuge
(14 MB PDF)

2012

By section, for faster download:
Contents, Executive Summary (1 MB PDF)
Introduction (PDF)
The Historic Seedskadee Ecosystem (11 MB PDF)
Changes to the Seedskadee Ecosystem (1 MB PDF)
Options for Ecosystem Restoration and Management (1 MB PDF)
Monitoring and Evaluation (PDF)
Acknowledgements, Literature Cited, Appendixes (1 MB PDF)

Benton Lake NWR | Cokeville Meadows NWR | Lee Metcalf NWR | Quivira NWR | Seedskadee NWR