Sedimentation of Lower Granite Reservoir, operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, affects commercial navigation and reservoir storage capacity. Some groups are concerned that dredging the reservoir to remove excess sediment may negatively affect endangered species such as steelhead and salmon.
During the fall of 2009 and the winter of 2010, our scientists mapped the bed of the reservoir using a multibeam echo sounder and an underwater video system to provide the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers with information about the bathymetry of the reservoir and the Snake and Clearwater Rivers upstream of the reservoir. We provided a digital elevation dataset of the area that the Corps can use to model sediment transport and deposition to the reservoir. We also developed a surficial sediment facies map to show what types of materials have been deposited in specific areas of the reservoir. The Corps will use the underwater videos and the facies map to evaluate benthic habitat conditions.
Below are publications associated with this project.
Bathymetric and underwater video survey of Lower Granite Reservoir and vicinity, Washington and Idaho, 2009-10
Below are partners associated with this project.
- Overview
Sedimentation of Lower Granite Reservoir, operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, affects commercial navigation and reservoir storage capacity. Some groups are concerned that dredging the reservoir to remove excess sediment may negatively affect endangered species such as steelhead and salmon.
During the fall of 2009 and the winter of 2010, our scientists mapped the bed of the reservoir using a multibeam echo sounder and an underwater video system to provide the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers with information about the bathymetry of the reservoir and the Snake and Clearwater Rivers upstream of the reservoir. We provided a digital elevation dataset of the area that the Corps can use to model sediment transport and deposition to the reservoir. We also developed a surficial sediment facies map to show what types of materials have been deposited in specific areas of the reservoir. The Corps will use the underwater videos and the facies map to evaluate benthic habitat conditions.
- Publications
Below are publications associated with this project.
Bathymetric and underwater video survey of Lower Granite Reservoir and vicinity, Washington and Idaho, 2009-10
The U.S. Geological Survey conducted a bathymetric survey of the Lower Granite Reservoir, Washington, using a multibeam echosounder, and an underwater video mapping survey during autumn 2009 and winter 2010. The surveys were conducted as part of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineer's study on sediment deposition and control in the reservoir. The multibeam echosounder survey was performed in 1-mile incrAuthorsMarshall L. Williams, Ryan L. Fosness, Rhonda J. Weakland - Partners
Below are partners associated with this project.