Rated based on the variety of velocity/depth regimes present at a site (slow-shallow, slow-deep, fast-shallow, and fast-deep). As with embeddedness, this metric may result in lower scores in low-gradient streams but will provide a statewide information on the physical habitat found in Maryland streams.
| Range | Category |
|---|---|
| 0 - 5 | Dominated by 1 velocity/depth category (usually pools) |
| 6 - 10 | Only 2 of the 4 habitat categories present |
| 11 - 15 | Only 3 of the 4 habitat categories present |
| 16 - 20 | Slow (<0.3 m/s), deep (>0.5 m); slow, shallow (<0.5 m); fast (>0.3 m/s), deep; fast, shallow habitats all present |