Distance analysis: points to rivers

[NatalieSusmann1]

Hi

I need to find out the shortest distance of points (archaeological sites) to a stream dataset I have. I am running ArcEditor 9.3. It doesn't matter if it requires a conversion to raster-- I am using the output to find the average distance between sites and streams in order to perform an area of likely settlement analysis. Which tool should I use?

[MarkEllis]

I recall spatial analyst having some functions that would do this - NEAREST or some such.  Output cells contain the linear distance from the cell to whatever feature is being analyzed. This could then give you the values at the points you seek.

[DanLee]

You can use the Near tool in Analysis toolbox - Proximity toolset. Hope you have an ArcInfo license.

Regards,

[michaelcollins1]

And for the rest of us...

http://resources.arcgis.com/gallery/file/Geoprocessing-Model-and-Script-Tool-Gallery/details?entryID...