TABLE OF CONTENTS

• Choose an area to census
  • Find a watershed on the tracking spreadsheet
• Acquire data for censusing
  • Download data from the Riverscapes Data Exchange
  • Extract Data to Box Directory
• Configure and use QGIS for censusing
  • Install QGIS Plugins
  • Add USGS NAIP WMS layer to QGIS
  • Create a QRiS Project
  • Add data using Riverscapes Viewer
  • Create a Data Capture Event
  • Create Map Themes
  • Add and configure Map Views
  • Add beaver dam observation points
    • Modify point attributes
    • Move a point 
    • Delete a point

Choose an area to census

Find a watershed on the tracking spreadsheet

Use the tracking spreadsheet to find an area to census. Rows are divided into HUC8s (aka subbasin) and HUC10s (aka watershed). HUC8s are bolded and underlined. HUC10s are italicized. Censusing is conducted at the HUC10 level and organized at the HUC8 level. You will be responsible for censusing all of the HUC10s for the HUC8 you choose.

1. Choose a HUC8. 
   • Add your initials to the cell in the Observer column.
   • Click on the dropdown in the Status column and select
2. Click the plus boxto the left the row to view the HUC10s within that HUC8.
3. Choose a HUC10 to census
   • Add your initials to the cell in the Observer column.
   • Click on the dropdown in the Status column and select
   • Copy the 10-digit code for that HUC10.

Remember the names and codes for your watersheds!

Acquire data for censusing

Download data from the Riverscapes Data Exchange

You will need data for the area you are censusing, namely the stream network and borders for that watershed. These data can be found in Riverscapes Context projects that are housed on the Riverscapes Data Exchange for easy access.

1. Go to the Riverscapes Data Exchange and log in.
2. Click Explore our Project Map.
3. Clickin the top ribbon.
4. Click on the Project type dropdown, scroll and select Riverscapes Context.
5. Fill in the Metadata row as follows:
   • Click on the first box and select HUC.
   • Click on the second box and paste the 10-digit code for your HUC10.
6. Click at the bottom of the window.
7. Find the most recently updated project in on the left side and select Download Project Zip

Extract Data to Box Directory

Make sure you have downloaded Box Drive for this process.

1. Locate the ZIP file you downloaded from the data exchange.
2. Right-click on the file and select Extract All...
3. Navigate to the 'rs_context' folder and choose the folder with the name and code of your HUC10.

For example: Box\0_RAM\Projects\USA\NewMexico\2024_NM_VBDC\wrk_Data\censuses\Huc8_Code\rs_context\Huc10_Code

4. Select Extract.

Configure and use QGIS for censusing

Install QGIS Plugins

You need the following QGIS plugins for beaver dam censusing:

• Riverscapes Viewer
• QRiS
• autoSaver

Refer to this guide on how to install plugins for QGIS.

Add USGS NAIP WMS layer to QGIS

1. Go to USGSNAIPPlus (Image Server)
2. Towards the top of the webpage above the heading, right-click on the blue WMS hyperlink and select Copy Link.
3. In QGIS, right-click on WMS/WMTS in the Browser panel and select New Connection...
   
4. In the dialog box

Create a QRiS Project

Add data using Riverscapes Viewer

Open Riverscapes Project

• navigate to folder with the data you extracted (make sure it is the rs_context
• choose the project.rs.xml
• remove riverscapes context group from layer list
• choose "Add to QRiS" for following layers in Riverscapes Viewer, click "OK" on Import Existing Context Vector window
  • Perennial Drainage Network
  • Watersheds - 10-Digit HUC
  • State Boundaries
• Close Riverscapes Project

Create a Data Capture Event

• Use the Identify Featurestool in the Attributes Toolbar to get the acquisition date from the NAIP imagery.
• Right click on Data Capture Events, click on "Add New Data Capture Event"
• Type "NAIP" for Name
• Add "Beaver Dam" Layer
• In the Basic Properties tab, choose the year associated from the NAIP acquisition date
• Check Add New Layers to Map

Create Map Themes

Using Map Themes will allow you to quickly switch between different configurations of the Layers panel. For censusing, this will allow you to utilize different basemaps simultaneously with additional map views. In this example, we will create an NDVI map theme.

1. Check only the layers you want to show.
   
2. On the Layers panel toolbar, select Manage Map Themes > Add Theme...
   
3. Enter the map theme's name (in this case "NDVI") and select OK.

Repeat the process for additional map themes (FalseColor, Google Satellite, etc.). Map themes will need to be updated as new layers are added. To update a map theme, reconfigure your visible layers, select Manage Map Themes > Replace Theme and select your theme.

Add and configure Map Views

1. Select View > New Map View or press Ctrl + M.
2. On the new map view toolbar, select View Settings
   • Check Synchronize View Center with Main Map and Synchronize scale.
3. Select Set View Themeand check your desired map theme.

Repeat the process for any additional map views you want to use. In this example I have map views for NDVI and False Color basemaps:

Add beaver dam observation points

1. In the Layers panel, in the Data Capture Events group, select the Beaver Dam [0] layer.
2. Select Toggle Editing from the Digitizing Toolbar.

If you can't find this button, check that the Digitizing Toolbar is enabled by going to View > Toolbars and checking Digitizing Toolbar.

3. Select Add Point Featureor press Ctrl + .
4. Clicking on the map will show a red dot where your point will be and pull up the Attributes dialog
5. Fill in the values that best describe your observation.
6. Select OK to create a point feature.
7. Select Save Editsto save your point.

Remember to save regularly or use the autoSaver plugin!

If you make a mistake, you can always edit your feature after creating it. 

Modify point attributes

1. In the Selection Toolbar, select Select Features by Area or Single Click
2. Click on the point to select it or click and drag to select multiple points. Click anywhere else to deselect.
3. Select Modify Attributesand adjust the values as desired.
4. Select OK.
5. Select Save Editsto save your point.

Move a point 

1. Select the Vertex Tool
2. Hover the mouse over the point you want to move (highlighted with a red circle) and click. The cursor should have a red X to indicate that the point is being moved.
3. Move the mouse to the correct location and click. The point will now be moved to the new location.
4. Click Save Editsto save your point.

Delete a point

1. In the Selection Toolbar, select Select Features by Area or Single Click
2. Click on the point to select it or click and drag to select multiple points. Click anywhere else to deselect.
3. Select Delete Selectedand a dialog window will pull up.
4. Confirm your selection to delete the features.
5. Select Save Editsto save your edits.