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National BLM River Database

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Glossary

NameDefinition
State1 Primary State associated with the physical location of the river section. The data is separated by state, and collected in that manner, two capital letters representing state.
State2Secondary state associated with the physical location of the river section. This field is populated only when the river section crosses state lines. The data is separated by state, and collected in that manner, two capital letters representing state.
Office NameComplete name of office directly responsible for management of river section. Each office name is connected to office code. Office name signifies office type: "Field Office, National Conservation Area, etc.
River/CreekName of river or creek. If a river, the word "River" has been dropped. If a creek, the word "Creek," is used. If the name of the river is in Spanish, and commonly named with the Spanish word for river, it has been used in this field, e.g. "Rio Grande". If there is a fork, the river name is first, followed by the fork name, separated by a comma: e.g. "Gunnison, North Fork. If the river/creek is a common name, e.g., Clear Creek, state name first, followed by the associated? river in parenthesis, e.g.: Clear Creek (Arkansas), Clear Creek (South Platte).
Section NameName of the river section. If available, this name could be a commonly-used name for the section, or could be the put-in to the take-out, if there is no name independent of those. The sections are in alphabetical order.
Access NotesAccess Notes that BLM wants to communicate to public.
Management NotesManagement Notes that BLM wants to communicate to public
Put-inDescriptive name for the physical location of the put-in, described with text (e.g., could be a town, a park, a bridge, etc.)
Take-outDescriptive name for the physical location of the take-out, described with text (e.g., could be a town, a park, a bridge, etc.)
Section LengthNumber of miles from the put-in to the take-out, to the nearest tenth, if available.
Other Access PointsDescriptive name for alternative access points for public use between or just beyond put-in or take-out.
Class/ DifficultyDifficulty as defined by the International Scale of River Difficulty, Class I-IV. Roman numerals I-V are used, either individually, or in a range, separated by a dash, e.g. I-III. Because Class VI is unrunnable, those sections will be excluded in a floatable, boatable database.
DesignationDescriptive name for each type of designation. Designations for special recognition and/or protection can be made Administratively, Congressionally or through the land use planning process and can overlap.
DrainageDetermined though Hydrological Unit Codes (HUC). Not a data field, but is searchable.
Office Number Area Code A 3-digit number, which represents the area code for the office responsible for the management of the sections of river(s) listed. The area code is separated from the main number, to enable the ability to filter by area code.
Office Number A 7-digit number, separated only by dashes, which connects you to the office responsible for the management of the sections of river(s) listed.
Office Street AddressThis field represents the street/P.O. Box section of the physical address associated with the river section.
Office CityThis field represents the city of the office responsible for the management of the sections of river(s) listed.
Office StateThis field represents the state of the office responsible for the management of the sections of river(s) listed. The state is listed by postal standard, two capital letters abbreviating the state.
Office Zip CodeThis field represents the zip code of the office responsible for the management of the sections of river(s) listed. The zip code is a 5-diget number.
Office websiteweb link to BLM office that deals with river section(s). Link to rivers page if they have one, if not the recreation page, where available. If neither pages are available, the field office page link should be used.
Other Office Agency NameWhen applicable, the name of the non-BLM agency that deals with management of river section.
Other Office NameWhen applicable, the name of the office of the non-BLM agency that deals with management of river section.
Other Office AddressWhen applicable, the address of the office of the non-BLM agency that deals with management of river section.
Other Office CityWhen applicable, the city of the office of the non-BLM agency that deals with management of river section.
Other Office StateWhen applicable, the state of the office of the non-BLM agency that deals with management of river section.
Other Office Zip CodeWhen applicable, the zip code of the office of the non-BLM agency that deals with management of river section.
Other Office Area CodeWhen applicable, the 3-diget area code of the phone number of the office of the non-BLM agency that deals with management of river section.
Other Office Phone NumberWhen applicable, the phone number of the office of the non-BLM agency that deals with management of river section.
Other Office websiteWhen applicable, the website of the office of the non-BLM agency that deals with management of river section. Link to rivers page if they have one, if not the recreation page, where available. If neither pages are available, the office page link should be used.
Online GaugeURL for the most relevant USGS online gauge that shows Real Time data for this section.
PermitPermits, or Special Recreation Permits, are authorizations which allow for recreational use of the public lands and related waters. They are issued as a means to control visitor use, protect recreational and natural resources, and provide for the health and safety of visitors.
Permit TypeType of Special Recreation Permit (private permit) needed for private boating publics to run river. Types include the following: None, 1st come/1st serve, lottery, mail in, self issue, other.
Permit SiteLink to website that specifically explains permit system.
 
Designations
Wild and Scenic River (WSR) Wild and Scenic Rivers are designated under the authority of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act of 1968 to protect outstanding scenic, recreational, geologic, fish and wildlife, historic, cultural, or other values and to preserve the river in its free-flowing condition. There are three classes of protected rivers: Wild, Scenic, and Recreational. The BLM is responsible for portions of 38 WSRs for a combined total of over 2,000 miles.
Wilderness Area (WA)Wilderness areas are those special places where the earth and its community of life are essentially undisturbed; they retain a primeval character, without permanent improvements and generally appear to have been affected primarily by the forces of nature. In 1964, Congress established the National Wilderness Preservation System and designated the first Wilderness Areas in passing the Wilderness Act. The uniquely American idea of wilderness has become an increasingly significant tool to ensure long-term protection of natural landscapes. The BLM is responsible for 175 Wilderness Areas with 7.2 million acres in 10 Western States.
National Conservation Area (NCA)National Conservation Areas (NCAs) are designated by Congress to conserve, protect, enhance, and manage public land areas for the benefit and enjoyment of present and future generations. NCAs feature exceptional natural, recreational, cultural, wildlife, aquatic, archeological, paleontological, historical, educational or scientific resources.
National Monument (NM)Although the first BLM national monument was created as recently as 1996, this conservation designation is now an integral part of the agency’s multiple-use mandate. Congress granted the President authority to designate national monuments in the Antiquities Act of 1906, which specifies that the law’s purpose is to protect "objects of historic or scientific interest." In addition to presidentially created national monuments, Congress has established national monuments by passing a law to create each individual monument with its own purpose (generally to protect natural or historic The BLM administers fifteen national monuments in eight western states.
Cooperative Management Protection Area (CMPA)The Cooperative Management and Protection Area designation was established by Congress to conserve, protect, and manage the long-term ecological integrity of special landscapes for future and present generations. This designation seeks to maintain and enhance cooperative and innovative management projects, programs and agreements between tribal, public and private interests. In addition, the area is managed to ensure the conservation, protection, and improved management of ecological, social and economic resources.
Area of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC)The designation of Areas of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC) is authorized in Section 202 (c)(3) of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (FLPMA, P.L. 94-579). ACECs include public lands where special management attention and direction is needed to protect and prevent irreparable damage to important historic, cultural, and scenic values, fish, or wildlife resources or other natural systems or processes; or to protect human life and safety from natural hazards. ACEC designation indicates BLM recognizes the significant values of the area and intends to implement management to protect and enhance the resource values.
Special Recreation Management Area (SRMA)A public lands unit identified in BLM land use plans to direct recreation funding and personnel to fulfill commitments made to provide specific structured recreation opportunities.
National Petroleum Reserve (NPR)In 1923, President Harding established the Naval Petroleum Reserve Number 4. This area, approximately 37,000 square miles at the northern-most portion of Alaska, has been explored and mapped by the USGS since 1901. The U.S. Navy undertook the first modern oil-exploration program between 1944 - 1958, In 1976, the petroleum reserve was renamed the National Petroleum Reserve, Alaska, (NPRA) with the USGS given the lead responsibility for further research and exploration until 1982.
National Recreation Area (NRA)Congress established the National Recreation Area designation primarily to protect important recreation, scenic, scientific, and natural values for the enjoyment of current and future generations. Recreation activities center on water - and land - based activities associated with the natural environment. The BLM’s first and only National Recreation Area was established by law in 1980 in Alaska.
State-designated Wild and Scenic River (State WSR)State-designated Wild and Scenic River.
National Historic Landmark (NHL)A district, site, building, structure or object in public or private ownership, which the Secretary of the Interior judges to have national significance in American history, archaeology, architecture, engineering, or culture, and worthy of preservation as an illustration or commemoration of the history and prehistory of the United States. Upon designation, NHL's are automatically included in the National Register of Historic Places; however, they are subject to a higher level of protection from potential damage or destruction by a Federal undertaking than are other (non-NHL) National Register properties.
 
Federal Agencies
BLMBureau of Land Management, United States Department of the Interior
NPSNational Park Service, United States Department of the Interior
FWSFish and Wildlife Service, United States Department of the Interior
USFSUnited States Forest Service, United States Department of Agriculture