A method, apparatus and program product to facilitate the analysis and
monitoring of stream and river conditions, with emphasis on Natural River
Design. To this end, the invention uses and processes channel data to
provide analysis and monitoring information and optimized channel design
information. The channel data is automatically accessed from a database
that includes channel data derived from a plurality of geomorphological
sources and user inputs. The channel data is located and otherwise
determined in response to user input and is used to derive optimized
channel design information. This channel design information may be used
to implement specific preventive and restorative practices appropriate to
realize stable and ecologically appropriate characteristics for a given
target reach.