Valley Bottom Confinement Data
Release Date
The Valley Confinement Algorithm (VCA) is a GIS based program that uses NHDPlus or similar data to delineate unconfined valley bottoms. This webpage provides access to the VCA ArcGIS Toolbox script and documentation describing the valley bottom confinement program.
This toolbox was updated in 2024 for ArcGIS Pro. The new Tutorial is helpful for distinguishing changes from the original.
Downloads
Related Programs
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Program
https://research.fs.usda.gov/rmrs/programs/waterwatershedsStation
Understory Publications
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User Guide
https://research.fs.usda.gov/rmrs/understory/tutorial-modeling-unconfined-valley-bottoms-valley-confinement-algorithm-vca
Publications
- David E. Nagel, John M. Buffington, Sharon L. Payne, Seth Wenger, Jaime Goode. 2014. A landscape scale valley confinement algorithm: Delineating unconfined valley bottoms for geomorphic, aquatic, and riparian applications
Last updated July 23, 2025