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Stream Order or River Network using DEM Map in ArcGIS

Stream order is a method for identifying and classifying types of streams based on their numbers of Tributaries.

river network or stream order

Create Stream Order in ArcMap

In this Tutorial, Learn How to create a Stream order or River Network using DEM Map in ArcGIS Software.

Add DEM Map in ArcMap Software, then open ArcToolbox.

Already open ArcToolbox, select Spatial Analyst Tool > Hydrology, and perform 3 tasks one by one – (i) Fill, (ii) Flow Direction, and (iii) Flow Accumulation.

stream order from DEM Map

Fill

Open Fill, select Input file- Dem Map, choose Output Destination and write the name, then click OK.

stream order FILL
FILL result

Flow Direction

Open Flow Direction, select Input file- Fill, choose Output Destination and write the name, then click OK.

stream order FLOW DIRECTION
FLOW DIRECTION result

Flow Accumulation

Open Flow Accumulation, select Input file- Flow Direction, choose Output Destination and write the name, then click OK.

stream order FLOW ACCUMULATION
FLOW ACCUMULATION result

Complete all 3 processes, Now open Raster calculator to calculate Flow Accumulation.

Open Search Box and search Raster Calculator. Raster Calculator window appears, double click Flow Accumulation Data (FLOW_ACCU) >=5000 (this value calculate for River Accumulation). Write-Output name and choose a destination and then click OK Button.

raster calculator
FLOW ACCUMULATION calculation

You can see the calculated Flow Accumulation Result (flow_accu_cal) ‘0’ and ‘1’. Value 1 mention to River Network.

Customize this Data to better understand River Network. Select flow_accu_cal data, Right-click, and choose Properties. Properties window appears value ‘0’ choose to blank color and click OK.

FLOW ACCUMULATION calculation result
FLOW ACCUMULATION calculation customize

Stream Ordering Process

The next step is to perform the Stream Order. Open ArcTollbox  > select Spatial Analyst Tool > Hydrology > Stream Order.

Stream Order window appears, Input stream raster – Flow Accumulation Calculate Data (flow_accu_cal). Input flow direction raster – Flow Direction Data and then choose Output and click OK.

stream order

Now see the result of the Stream order.

stream order result

The next Important part converts Stream ordering into Feature as well as Polyline Shapefile.

In the ArcTollbox > select Spatial Analyst Tool > Hydrology > select Stream to Feature.

Stream to Feature window appears, Input stream raster (stream_order), then Input flow direction raster (FLOW_DIRECT) and choose Output and click OK.

stream order feature

Now see the result of the Stream order Feature (Stream Network).

stream network result

Customize Stream Network Feature Data, Right-click, and select Properties.

Stream Network Properties window appears, in the symbology group select Categories and choose GRID_CODE in Value field option, and click Add all values.

You can also change color, width and Label, to Better Understand Stream Ordering. Complete all of the Processes click OK button.

customize stream network

Now see the result of the Stream ordering or River Network.

stream ordering

Add Base-map and view to Amazing River Network, and check Better Accuracy level.

basemap stream order view

1 thought on “Stream Order ArcGIS”

  1. Hi!

    Dear Sir/Madam,

    I would like to thank you for sharing such an important tutorial. I have been using fill, flow direction, flow accumulation, Reclassifying, stream order, stream to feature and grid code to do the same process. It works, but I have a problem. I will not get a stream bigger than 7. Any ideas?

    Best regards,

    Fryad

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