Sediment fingerprinting has been used successfully to identify land uses that are the major sources of sediment. This study will apply these techniques in a predominantly rural, volcanic landscape.
Rivers deliver nutrient-enriched sediment to Upper Klamath Lake. High nutrient concentrations, most notably phosphorous, trigger expansive and sometimes toxic algal blooms every year in the lake. The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality has set a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) that requires a sharp reduction in phosphorous concentrations. Action agencies and residents and agencies are considering significant investments to restore the upper Klamath Basin.
Reducing erosion in upstream watersheds reduces suspended sediment and nutrient concentrations flowing into the lake, and also improves stream habitat quality in the tributary watersheds. These watersheds support native fish that are critical to the survival and prosperity of the communities and tribes in the Upper Klamath Basin.
Understanding the sources and dynamics of suspended sediment informs decisions about restoration activities. With more complete knowledge, parties can prioritize restoration efforts, both geographically and temporally, to maximize impact with minimum investment and disruption. This understanding, coupled with sediment monitoring, also provides a means to determine the efficacy of implemented restoration activities over time.
Below are publications associated with this project.
Differentiating sediment sources using sediment fingerprinting techniques, in the Sprague River Basin, South-Central Oregon
Fluvial sediment fingerprinting: literature review and annotated bibliography
Below are news stories associated with this project.
Below are partners associated with this project.
- Overview
Sediment fingerprinting has been used successfully to identify land uses that are the major sources of sediment. This study will apply these techniques in a predominantly rural, volcanic landscape.
Rivers deliver nutrient-enriched sediment to Upper Klamath Lake. High nutrient concentrations, most notably phosphorous, trigger expansive and sometimes toxic algal blooms every year in the lake. The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality has set a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) that requires a sharp reduction in phosphorous concentrations. Action agencies and residents and agencies are considering significant investments to restore the upper Klamath Basin.
Reducing erosion in upstream watersheds reduces suspended sediment and nutrient concentrations flowing into the lake, and also improves stream habitat quality in the tributary watersheds. These watersheds support native fish that are critical to the survival and prosperity of the communities and tribes in the Upper Klamath Basin.
Understanding the sources and dynamics of suspended sediment informs decisions about restoration activities. With more complete knowledge, parties can prioritize restoration efforts, both geographically and temporally, to maximize impact with minimum investment and disruption. This understanding, coupled with sediment monitoring, also provides a means to determine the efficacy of implemented restoration activities over time.
- Publications
Below are publications associated with this project.
Differentiating sediment sources using sediment fingerprinting techniques, in the Sprague River Basin, South-Central Oregon
Identifying sources of sediment to streams in the Sprague River Basin, in south-central Oregon, is important for restoration efforts that are focused on reducing sediment erosion and transport. Reducing sediment loads in these streams also contributes to compliance with the total maximum daily load reduction requirements for total phosphorus in this basin. In the Sprague River Basin, phosphorus ocAuthorsLiam N. Schenk, Tessa M. Harden, Julia K. KelsonFluvial sediment fingerprinting: literature review and annotated bibliography
The U.S. Geological Survey has evaluated and adopted various field methods for collecting real-time sediment and nutrient data. These methods have proven to be valuable representations of sediment and nutrient concentrations and loads but are not able to accurately identify specific source areas. Recently, more advanced data collection and analysis techniques have been evaluated that show promiseAuthorsJoyce E. Williamson, Adel E. Haj, John F. Stamm, Joshua F. Valder, Vicki L. Prautzch - News
Below are news stories associated with this project.
- Partners
Below are partners associated with this project.