Urban streams frequently undergo severe incision and erosion due to flashy streamflows caused by impervious surfaces in the watershed. The study was designed to investigate the hydrodynamics and geomorphology of a selected reach of Minebank Run before and after stream restoration, in order to determine the effect that stream restoration had on sediment processes in the stream.
Between water years 2002 and 2008, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Geological Survey, Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, and the Baltimore County Department of Environmental Protection and Sustainability collaborated to study the effects of restoration on sediment processes in a selected study reach of Minebank Run, a small urban stream in Baltimore County, Maryland that was restored during 2004 and 2005.
Objectives
To determine the impacts of stream restoration on the physical processes affecting the stream channel and its underlying and adjacent sediments. The study was designed to investigate the hydrodynamics and geomorphology of a selected reach of Minebank Run before and after stream restoration.
ApproachThe pre-restoration dimension, pattern, profile, and composition of the stream channel at Minebank Run were quantified, and changes over time caused by storms and flooding were assessed. Changes in cross-sectional area, bed elevation, lateral migration of the stream channel, rate of bank retreat, and grain-size distribution were measured throughout the study reach.
Similar post-restoration characterizations of the dimension, pattern, profile, and composition of the stream channel were done and compared to the pre-restoration conditions to assess the natural response to stream channel restoration. Much of the post-restoration geomorphic variability that was observed was primarily due to alternating patterns of sediment storage and removal, and shifting of the channel thalweg, in contrast to channel degradation and widening, and lateral erosion from receding cut banks observed during the pre-restoration monitoring.
Streamflow data from station 0158397967, Minebank Run near Glen Arm, MD, and from a continuous record precipitation gage in the watershed, were used to relate storm events to documented changes in geomorphology of the stream channel during the study period.
Below are publications associated with this project.
Geomorphic responses to stream channel restoration at Minebank Run, Baltimore County, Maryland, 2002-08
Pre-Restoration Geomorphic Characteristics of Minebank Run, Baltimore County, Maryland, 2002-04
Watershed characteristics and pre-restoration surface-water hydrology of Minebank Run, Baltimore County, Maryland, water years 2002-04
Below are partners associated with this project.
- Overview
Urban streams frequently undergo severe incision and erosion due to flashy streamflows caused by impervious surfaces in the watershed. The study was designed to investigate the hydrodynamics and geomorphology of a selected reach of Minebank Run before and after stream restoration, in order to determine the effect that stream restoration had on sediment processes in the stream.
Between water years 2002 and 2008, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Geological Survey, Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, and the Baltimore County Department of Environmental Protection and Sustainability collaborated to study the effects of restoration on sediment processes in a selected study reach of Minebank Run, a small urban stream in Baltimore County, Maryland that was restored during 2004 and 2005.
Objectives
To determine the impacts of stream restoration on the physical processes affecting the stream channel and its underlying and adjacent sediments. The study was designed to investigate the hydrodynamics and geomorphology of a selected reach of Minebank Run before and after stream restoration.
ApproachThe pre-restoration dimension, pattern, profile, and composition of the stream channel at Minebank Run were quantified, and changes over time caused by storms and flooding were assessed. Changes in cross-sectional area, bed elevation, lateral migration of the stream channel, rate of bank retreat, and grain-size distribution were measured throughout the study reach.
Similar post-restoration characterizations of the dimension, pattern, profile, and composition of the stream channel were done and compared to the pre-restoration conditions to assess the natural response to stream channel restoration. Much of the post-restoration geomorphic variability that was observed was primarily due to alternating patterns of sediment storage and removal, and shifting of the channel thalweg, in contrast to channel degradation and widening, and lateral erosion from receding cut banks observed during the pre-restoration monitoring.
Streamflow data from station 0158397967, Minebank Run near Glen Arm, MD, and from a continuous record precipitation gage in the watershed, were used to relate storm events to documented changes in geomorphology of the stream channel during the study period.
- Publications
Below are publications associated with this project.
Geomorphic responses to stream channel restoration at Minebank Run, Baltimore County, Maryland, 2002-08
No abstract available.AuthorsEdward J. Doheny, Jonathan J.A. Dillow, Paul M. Mayer, Elise A. StrizPre-Restoration Geomorphic Characteristics of Minebank Run, Baltimore County, Maryland, 2002-04
Data collected from 2002 through 2004 were used to assess geomorphic characteristics and geomorphic changes over time in a selected reach of Minebank Run, a small urban watershed near Towson, Maryland, prior to its physical restoration in 2004 and 2005. Longitudinal profiles of the channel bed, water surface, and bank features were developed from field surveys. Changes in cross-section geometry beAuthorsEdward J. Doheny, Roger J. Starsoneck, Paul M. Mayer, Elise A. StrizWatershed characteristics and pre-restoration surface-water hydrology of Minebank Run, Baltimore County, Maryland, water years 2002-04
Stream restoration efforts have been ongoing in Maryland since the early 1990s. Physical stream restoration often involves replacement of lost sediments to elevate degraded streambeds, re-establishment of riffle-pool sequences along the channel profile, planting vegetation in riparian zones, and re-constructing channel banks, point bars, flood plains, and stream-meanders. The primary goal of manyAuthorsEdward J. Doheny, Roger J. Starsoneck, Elise A. Striz, Paul M. Mayer - Partners
Below are partners associated with this project.