Time-lapse photos taken from the a camera on the upstream side of abandoned concrete bridge piers facing north toward State Highway 92 from June 1 to Aug. 6, 2012.
Understanding Sandbar Dynamics in the Lower Platte River Completed
By Nebraska Water Science Center
December 7, 2016
Among the various habitat types within a river corridor, sandbars are highly dynamic and quite sensitive to changes such as channel width, streamflow, and riparian woodland expansion. As people, infrastructure, and other factors encroach upon the Lower Platte River, we are exploring variation in the height and area of sandbars to better accommodate all of these uses without jeopardizing these critical habitats.
Sources/Usage: Some content may have restrictions. View Media Details
In 2011, the USGS Nebraska Water Science Center began monitoring locations and geometries of sandbars along a 55-mile segment of the lower Platte River. Our goal is to answer these science questions:
- To what height are sandbars deposited relative to the river stage that formed them?
- Do sandbars tend to form in the same places or are they randomnly distrbuted?
- How long do sandbars remain present/barren after formation?
This study has been completed in phases, beginning with the pilot study in 2011. These sandbar surveys have been completed:
- April, July, and November 2011: Salt Creek to Plattsmouth
- April and September 2012: Fremont to Plattsmouth (Drought year)
- July/August 2013: Columbus to Plattsmouth
- July/September 2014: Columbus to Plattsmouth
Sandbar geometry was measured on the "dry crown" of each sandbar. The highest area on the sandbar was identified while in the field and 5-9 evenly spaced measurements were taken with GPS (Global Positioning System). Additionally, 9 time-lapse cameras were installed along the river to provide visual information about how sandbars erode and emerge from the river during the various seasons and at various streamflows.
Results from the final phase of this study were synthesized and released as a journal article, which can be found under the publications tab above.
Sources/Usage: Some content may have restrictions. View Media Details
Below are multimedia items associated with this project.
Time-Lapse Video of the Platte River at Two Rivers State Park
Time-lapse photos taken from the a camera on the upstream side of abandoned concrete bridge piers facing north toward State Highway 92 from June 1 to Aug. 6, 2012.
Time-Lapse Video of the Platte River at Hwy 64 Bridge
Time-lapse photos taken from from the Hwy 64 Bridge on the Platte River near streamflow-gaging station 06796500. Photos taken every hour from June 1, 2012 to Aug. 6, 2012.
Time-lapse photos taken from from the Hwy 64 Bridge on the Platte River near streamflow-gaging station 06796500. Photos taken every hour from June 1, 2012 to Aug. 6, 2012.
Time-Lapse Video of the Platte River at South Bend (Lied Bridge NE)
Time-lapse photos taken from the northeast side of the Lied Bridge on the Platte River at South Bend near streamflow-gaging station 06805500. Photos taken every hour from April 14, 2011 to Aug. 6, 2012.
Time-lapse photos taken from the northeast side of the Lied Bridge on the Platte River at South Bend near streamflow-gaging station 06805500. Photos taken every hour from April 14, 2011 to Aug. 6, 2012.
Time-Lapse Video of the Platte River at Platte River State Park Tower Northwest
Time-lapse photos taken from the northwest side of the Platte River State Park Tower. Photos taken every hour from April 4, 2011 to April 29, 2012.
Time-lapse photos taken from the northwest side of the Platte River State Park Tower. Photos taken every hour from April 4, 2011 to April 29, 2012.
- Overview
Among the various habitat types within a river corridor, sandbars are highly dynamic and quite sensitive to changes such as channel width, streamflow, and riparian woodland expansion. As people, infrastructure, and other factors encroach upon the Lower Platte River, we are exploring variation in the height and area of sandbars to better accommodate all of these uses without jeopardizing these critical habitats.
Sources/Usage: Some content may have restrictions. View Media DetailsTop photo: May 7, 2011. Discharge was 283 cubic meters per second. Bottom photo: May 27, 2011. Discharge was approximately 1,262 cubic meters per second. In 2011, the USGS Nebraska Water Science Center began monitoring locations and geometries of sandbars along a 55-mile segment of the lower Platte River. Our goal is to answer these science questions:
- To what height are sandbars deposited relative to the river stage that formed them?
- Do sandbars tend to form in the same places or are they randomnly distrbuted?
- How long do sandbars remain present/barren after formation?
This study has been completed in phases, beginning with the pilot study in 2011. These sandbar surveys have been completed:
- April, July, and November 2011: Salt Creek to Plattsmouth
- April and September 2012: Fremont to Plattsmouth (Drought year)
- July/August 2013: Columbus to Plattsmouth
- July/September 2014: Columbus to Plattsmouth
Sandbar geometry was measured on the "dry crown" of each sandbar. The highest area on the sandbar was identified while in the field and 5-9 evenly spaced measurements were taken with GPS (Global Positioning System). Additionally, 9 time-lapse cameras were installed along the river to provide visual information about how sandbars erode and emerge from the river during the various seasons and at various streamflows.
Results from the final phase of this study were synthesized and released as a journal article, which can be found under the publications tab above.
Sources/Usage: Some content may have restrictions. View Media Details - Multimedia
Below are multimedia items associated with this project.
Time-Lapse Video of the Platte River at Two Rivers State ParkTime-lapse photos taken from the a camera on the upstream side of abandoned concrete bridge piers facing north toward State Highway 92 from June 1 to Aug. 6, 2012.
Time-lapse photos taken from the a camera on the upstream side of abandoned concrete bridge piers facing north toward State Highway 92 from June 1 to Aug. 6, 2012.
Time-Lapse Video of the Platte River at Hwy 64 BridgeTime-lapse photos taken from from the Hwy 64 Bridge on the Platte River near streamflow-gaging station 06796500. Photos taken every hour from June 1, 2012 to Aug. 6, 2012.
Time-lapse photos taken from from the Hwy 64 Bridge on the Platte River near streamflow-gaging station 06796500. Photos taken every hour from June 1, 2012 to Aug. 6, 2012.
Time-Lapse Video of the Platte River at South Bend (Lied Bridge NE)Time-lapse photos taken from the northeast side of the Lied Bridge on the Platte River at South Bend near streamflow-gaging station 06805500. Photos taken every hour from April 14, 2011 to Aug. 6, 2012.
Time-lapse photos taken from the northeast side of the Lied Bridge on the Platte River at South Bend near streamflow-gaging station 06805500. Photos taken every hour from April 14, 2011 to Aug. 6, 2012.
Time-Lapse Video of the Platte River at Platte River State Park Tower NorthwestTime-lapse photos taken from the northwest side of the Platte River State Park Tower. Photos taken every hour from April 4, 2011 to April 29, 2012.
Time-lapse photos taken from the northwest side of the Platte River State Park Tower. Photos taken every hour from April 4, 2011 to April 29, 2012.
- Publications
- Partners