Southeast Coast Network Wadeable Streams Story Map

Wadeable streams provide park visitors with beautiful views, fishing spots, cultural sites, relaxing spaces, and areas to watch birds or other wildlife. These streams and adjacent vegetation, known as the riparian area, serve as habitats for a variety of animals and plants. Any negative change may result in losses for species that rely on these streams directly or indirectly for existence. The condition of the streams and associated habitats are critical for the health of the local ecosystem and park visitor enjoyment. The National Park Service's Southeast Coast Inventory and Monitoring Network studies wadeable streams, defined as streams that can be traversed without a watercraft, to track changes in bank erosion, width and depth, sediment, and watershed land use. This information can help park management with decisions related to park infrastructure and maintaining the health and beauty of these stream resources.