Fluvial Geomorphology Active
An understanding of river- and stream-channel geomorphic responses to various human-caused and natural disturbances is important for effective management, conservation, and rehabilitation of rivers and streams to accommodate multiple, often conflicting, needs. Channel changes may have implications for the protection of property and structures, water supply, navigation, and habitat. The channel-bank erosion that accompanies natural channel migration on a flood plain represents a constant threat to property and structures located in or near the channel. Various human-caused and natural disturbances introduce additional instability to which rivers and streams adjust. Human-caused disturbances include reservoirs, channelization, in-channel sand and gravel extraction, and urbanization. A common natural disturbance is a flood. Possible geomorphic responses of a channel to disturbances include channel-bed degradation (erosion), channel-bed aggradation (deposition of material), channel widening, and channel straightening. These adjustments represent the channel’s attempt to establish a new approximate equilibrium condition.
Channel adjustments are a concern for several reasons. A substantial lowering of the channel bed poses an immediate threat to bridge pier foundations as well as buried pipelines and cables. In addition, substantial bed lowering increases bank height and bank instability that may trigger channel widening. Channel aggradation raises the bed elevation, reduces channel capacity, and increases the likelihood of flooding. Any channel-bed changes that occur on the main-stem rivers and streams also may migrate upstream on the tributaries where additional property, structures, and habitat may be at risk. Finally, any long-term channel adjustment processes also may instigate or worsen local scour problems.
Geomorphic investigations conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey since 1995 have mostly focused on the response of river and stream channels to various types of natural and human-caused disturbances including floods, reservoir construction and operation, and channelization. Such studies document channel changes, reconstruct historical conditions, determine the causes of channel changes, estimate the rate of geomorphic processes, and, in some cases, can enable predictions of future channel changes. Methods have included the use of streamgage data, multidate aerial photography, and onsite data collection to determine the location, timing, magnitude, direction, duration, and rate of channel change.
more publications can be found at: https://pubs.er.usgs.gov/
Limitations and implications of stream classification
Historic channel change along Soldier Creek, northeast Kansas
Channel-bed elevation changes downstream from large reservoirs in Kansas
Channel stability downstream from a dam assessed using aerial photographs and stream-gage information
Channel stability of the Neosho River downstream from John Redmond Dam, Kansas
Geomorphic effects of overflow dams on the lower Neosho River, Kansas
Changes in high-flow frequency and channel geometry of the Neosho River downstream from John Redmond Dam, southeastern Kansas
Downstream effects of dams on alluvial rivers
Streamflow characteristics related to channel geometry of streams in western United States
Effect of channel material on width-discharge relations for perennial streams, with emphasis on streams in Kansas -- a progress report
Channel widening and flood-plain construction along Cimarron River in southwestern Kansas
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- Overview
An understanding of river- and stream-channel geomorphic responses to various human-caused and natural disturbances is important for effective management, conservation, and rehabilitation of rivers and streams to accommodate multiple, often conflicting, needs. Channel changes may have implications for the protection of property and structures, water supply, navigation, and habitat. The channel-bank erosion that accompanies natural channel migration on a flood plain represents a constant threat to property and structures located in or near the channel. Various human-caused and natural disturbances introduce additional instability to which rivers and streams adjust. Human-caused disturbances include reservoirs, channelization, in-channel sand and gravel extraction, and urbanization. A common natural disturbance is a flood. Possible geomorphic responses of a channel to disturbances include channel-bed degradation (erosion), channel-bed aggradation (deposition of material), channel widening, and channel straightening. These adjustments represent the channel’s attempt to establish a new approximate equilibrium condition.
Channel adjustments are a concern for several reasons. A substantial lowering of the channel bed poses an immediate threat to bridge pier foundations as well as buried pipelines and cables. In addition, substantial bed lowering increases bank height and bank instability that may trigger channel widening. Channel aggradation raises the bed elevation, reduces channel capacity, and increases the likelihood of flooding. Any channel-bed changes that occur on the main-stem rivers and streams also may migrate upstream on the tributaries where additional property, structures, and habitat may be at risk. Finally, any long-term channel adjustment processes also may instigate or worsen local scour problems.
Geomorphic investigations conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey since 1995 have mostly focused on the response of river and stream channels to various types of natural and human-caused disturbances including floods, reservoir construction and operation, and channelization. Such studies document channel changes, reconstruct historical conditions, determine the causes of channel changes, estimate the rate of geomorphic processes, and, in some cases, can enable predictions of future channel changes. Methods have included the use of streamgage data, multidate aerial photography, and onsite data collection to determine the location, timing, magnitude, direction, duration, and rate of channel change.
- Publications
more publications can be found at: https://pubs.er.usgs.gov/
Filter Total Items: 23Limitations and implications of stream classification
Stream classifications that are based on channel form, such as the Rosgen Level II classification, are useful tools for the physical description and grouping of streams and for providing a means of communication for stream studies involving scientists and (or) managers with different backgrounds. The Level II classification also is used as a tool to assess stream stability, infer geomorphic procesAuthorsK. E. Juracek, F. A. FitzpatrickHistoric channel change along Soldier Creek, northeast Kansas
To assess historical channel change along Soldier Creek, northeast Kansas, available information from eight U.S. Geological Survey streamflow-gaging stations was analyzed. At each gaging station, channel change was assessed using channel-bed elevation as the primary indicator variable. Changes in channel-bed elevation were inferred from changes in the stage associated with the mean annual dischargAuthorsKyle E. JuracekChannel-bed elevation changes downstream from large reservoirs in Kansas
Channel-bed elevation changes were assessed downstream from 24 large Federal reservoirs in Kansas using information from U.S. Geological Survey streamflow-gaging stations. Changes in river/stream stage associated with mean annual discharge indicated that channel-bed lowering had occurred downstream from most of the reservoirs. The net decrease in channel-bed elevation ranged from less than 1 footAuthorsKyle E. JuracekChannel stability downstream from a dam assessed using aerial photographs and stream-gage information
The stability of the Neosho River channel downstream from John Redmond Dam, in southeast Kansas, was investigated using multiple-date aerial photographs and stream-gage information. Bankfull channel width was used as the primary indicator variable to assess pre- and post-dam channel change. Five six-mile river reaches and four stream gages were used in the analysis. Results indicated that, aside fAuthorsK. E. JuracekChannel stability of the Neosho River downstream from John Redmond Dam, Kansas
The stability of the Neosho River channel downstream from John Redmond Dam, in southeast Kansas, was investigated using multi-date aerial photographs and stream-gage information. Bankfull channel width was used as the primary indicator variable to assess pre- and post-dam channel change. Five 6-mile river reaches and four stream gages were used in the analysis. Results indicated that the overall cAuthorsKyle E. JuracekGeomorphic effects of overflow dams on the lower Neosho River, Kansas
The purpose of this report is to characterize the geomorphic (channel-changing) effects of overflow dams on the lower Neosho River channel in southeastern Kansas. Specifically, the report describes the types, upstream and downstream extents, and stability of the geomorphic effects in relation to site-specific, human-caused and natural conditions that may affect the channel’s response to the overflAuthorsKyle E. JuracekChanges in high-flow frequency and channel geometry of the Neosho River downstream from John Redmond Dam, southeastern Kansas
The streamflow regimen of the Neosho River downstream from John Redmond Dam in southeastern Kansas has changed significantly since the dam's completion in 1964. The controlled releases from the dam have decreased the magnitudes of peak discharges and increased the magnitudes of low discharges. The trends in river stage for selected discharges also have changed at two of the streamflow-gaging statiAuthorsS.E. StudleyDownstream effects of dams on alluvial rivers
No abstract available.AuthorsG. P. Williams, M. G. WolmanStreamflow characteristics related to channel geometry of streams in western United States
Assessment of surface-mining and reclamation activities generally requires extensive hydrologic data. Adequate streamflow data from instrumented gaging stations rarely are available, and estimates of surface- water discharge based on rainfall-runoff models, drainage area, and basin characteristics sometimes have proven unreliable. Channel-geometry measurements offer an alternative method of quicklAuthorsE. R. Hedman, W. R. OsterkampEffect of channel material on width-discharge relations for perennial streams, with emphasis on streams in Kansas -- a progress report
No abstract available.AuthorsW. R. OsterkampChannel widening and flood-plain construction along Cimarron River in southwestern Kansas
No abstract available.AuthorsS. A. Schumm, R.W. Lichty - Web Tools
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- Partners
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