Littoral Characterization:

• Locate the riparian sampling site. Littoral zone transects are parallel to the riparian zone survey sites. Place flags at 10m intervals to create 5 segments. Segments are labeled from left to right- A, B, C, D, and E. 
• Count the number of docks on the shoreline AND at the 0.5 m depth contour for each 10 m segment. Count only those docks which actually touch the shore or cross the transect. A “dock” is defined to be 1 m wide (=10% of segment). L-shaped or extra wide docks should be counted as 2or more docks – ONLY if the extra wide or “L” portion ACTUALLY CROSSES THE TRANSECT.
• Characterize the vegetation at the ordinary high watermark and back 0.5 m (so that this data will be different from the “general site info” data). Assess the percentage of the segment (A, B, C, D or E) covered by Forested, Overhanging Trees, Overhanging Shrubs, Shrub Thicket, Shrubs, Wetlands, Herbaceous, Lawn, Engineered, Beach or Dock. These values should total 100%.
• Count number of overhanging trees in each segment (Count only trees whose trunks are inclined at 45° or more and/or have a large portion of their canopy hanging over the water). Score each tree for branchiness and degree of overhang (45- 65° = 0; 65- 90° = 1)
• Characterize Substrate at both the shoreline and the 0.5 m depth contour for each 10 m segment: Sand, pebble, Rock, Organic debris (muck) or silt. Score for presence/absence and mark which one is dominant. For 0.5 m depth contour, grab a handful of substrate and classify it 2-3 times per 10m segment
• Measure distance from shore to the 0.5 m depth contour at the beginning and end of the transect

• Measure diameter of CWD encountered along the inside edge of the half-meter depth contour at the point where the log crosses the contour line (but orthogonal to the log itself). Do not measure logs that are completely submerged under the substrate.
• Tally all logs greater than or equal to 5 cm but less than 10 cm diameter and greater than 150 cm in length by 10 m segment (record no further measurements on these logs).
• For logs greater than 10 cm diameter (at the point where they cross the transect) and longer than 150 cm, determine total length, decay class, elevation, orientation, amount of branching,10 m segment (A,B, C, D, E) where first encountered and the number of other 10cm logs that cross the subject log between 0 and 1 m depth (see illustrations below). If a log has a branch that is greater than 10 cm in diameter and longer than 150 cm AND it crosses the transect, count it as a log, measuring the length from the point of attachment to the main log to the tip of the branch. Put a check mark in the “notes” column if you encounter any logs like this.