ABSTRACT
Headwater streams are essential to downstream water quality, therefore it is important they are
properly represented on maps used for stream regulation. Current maps used for stream regulation, such
as the United States Geological Survey (USGS) topographic maps and Natural Resources Conservation
Service (NRCS) soil survey maps, are outdated and do not accurately nor consistently depict headwater
streams. In order for new stream maps to be used for regulatory purposes, the accuracy must be known
and the maps must show streams with a consistent level of accuracy. This study assessed the valley
presence/absence and stream length accuracy of the new stream maps created by the North Carolina Center for Geographic Analysis (CGIA) for western North Carolina. The CGIA stream map
does not depict headwater streams with a consistent level of accuracy. This study also compared the
accuracy of stream networks modeled using the computer software program, Terrain Analysis using
Digital Elevation Models (TauDEM), to the CGIA stream map. The stream networks modeled in
TauDEM,also do not consistently predict the location of headwater streams across the mountain region
of the state. The location of headwater streams could not be accurately nor consistently predicted by
solely using aerial photography or elevation data. Other factors such as climate, soils, geology, land
use, and vegetation cover should be considered to accurately and consistently model headwater stream
networks.