U.S. Fish & Wildlife ServiceStrategic Habitat and River Reach Units for Aquatic Species of Conservation Concern in Alabama and Adjoining States The United States Fish & Wildlife Service, Alabama Department of Conservation & Natural Resources and Geological Survey of Alabama have selected priority watersheds (SHUs) and river corridors (SRRUs) to focus activities for the management, recovery, and restoration of populations of rare fishes, mussels, snails, and crayfishes. The Strategic Habitat Units (SHUs) and Strategic River Reach Units (SRRUs) contain a substantial part of the area's remaining high quality water courses, and reflect the variety of aquatic habitats occupied by these species - both historically and presently. These units were selected based on: the presence of federally listed and state imperiled species the designation of critical habitat for these species expert knowledge about essential habitat components required for these species to survive Suitable habitat for these species includes: areas with geomorphically stable stream and river channels suitable flow regimes clear water a diversity of channel substrate types with minimal amounts of fine sediment and filamentous algae few or no competitive or predaceous nonnative species The purpose of designating SHUs and SRR Us is to facilitate watershed management and restoration efforts addressing habitat and water quality issues.ArcGIS FeatureLayerhttps://hub.arcgis.com/datasets/a6e13b792e1d48ee850000fd968ad3e3_2engU.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Open DataPublicStrategic Habitat Units (SHUs) and Strategic River Reach Units (SRRUs) - v3 [United States]Web servicesUnited StatesLast Modified: 2024-06-04