Sediment and Stream Health - Pennsylvania Active
Sediment Core
USGS studies sediment deposition in reservoirs and streams
Removal of Legacy Sediments Effects Nutrient Loads in Streamflow
Effects of Legacy Sediment Removal on Nutrients and Sediment in Big Spring Run, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, 2009–15
Sediment in streams, from land surface erosion in watersheds, is an important factor in determining the quality of Pennsylvania's surface waters and of downstream water bodies such as the Delaware Estuary and Chesapeake Bay. The USGS has a long-standing tradition of measuring suspended-sediment concentrations and estimating loads. Recent technological advances allow real-time estimates of suspended sediment in streams, which can be used for managing water quality and drinking-water withdrawals.
USGS collects data and conducts studies related to the production of sediment in Pennsylvania watersheds, transport processes controlling the rate of erosion, both in and out of the stream, and subsequent deposition in streams and reserviors. Many water quality constituents are partly bound to sediments, and sediment suspended in the water column has a major impact on aquatic life. Erosion of streambanks, scour at bridges, and deposition of sediments in reservoirs are some of the topics of USGS studies related to Pennsylvania's infrastructure.
Below are other science projects associated with this project.
Sediment Sources and Deposition in the Estuary
Below are data associated with this project.
Below are publications associated with this project.
Effects of legacy sediment removal and effects on nutrients and sediment in Big Spring Run, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, 2009–15
Sediment transport by streams draining into the Delaware Estuary
Appraisal of stream sedimentation in the Susquehanna River basin
Hydrology and sedimentation of Corey Creek and Elk Run basins, north-central Pennsylvania
Effects of roadway and pond construction on sediment yield near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Effects of agricultural conservation practices on the hydrology of Corey Creek basin, Pennsylvania, 1954-60
Sedimentation and land use in Core Creek and Elk Run basins, Pennsylvania, 1954-60 (A progress report)
Progress report of hydrology and sedimentation in Bixler Run, Corey Creek, and Elk Run watersheds, Pennsylvania
The trend of suspended-sediment discharge of the Brandywine Creek at Wilmington, Del., 1947-1955
The natural channel of Brandywine Creek, Pennsylvania
News
- Overview
Sediment in streams, from land surface erosion in watersheds, is an important factor in determining the quality of Pennsylvania's surface waters and of downstream water bodies such as the Delaware Estuary and Chesapeake Bay. The USGS has a long-standing tradition of measuring suspended-sediment concentrations and estimating loads. Recent technological advances allow real-time estimates of suspended sediment in streams, which can be used for managing water quality and drinking-water withdrawals.
USGS collects data and conducts studies related to the production of sediment in Pennsylvania watersheds, transport processes controlling the rate of erosion, both in and out of the stream, and subsequent deposition in streams and reserviors. Many water quality constituents are partly bound to sediments, and sediment suspended in the water column has a major impact on aquatic life. Erosion of streambanks, scour at bridges, and deposition of sediments in reservoirs are some of the topics of USGS studies related to Pennsylvania's infrastructure.
- Science
Below are other science projects associated with this project.
Sediment Sources and Deposition in the Estuary
During the past 10 years, integrated studies of sediment in Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries have been carried out by a team of USGS scientists, in collaboration with researchers from several universities, the Maryland Geological Survey, the U.S. Naval Research laboratory, the USEPA, and other institutions. The USGS worked with these investigators to prepare a comprehensive review of sediment... - Data
Below are data associated with this project.
- Publications
Below are publications associated with this project.
Effects of legacy sediment removal and effects on nutrients and sediment in Big Spring Run, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, 2009–15
Big Spring Run is a 1.68-square mile watershed underlain by mostly carbonate rock in a mixed land-use setting (part agricultural and part developed) in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Big Spring Run is a subwatershed of Mill Creek, a tributary to the Conestoga River. These watersheds are known contributors of nutrient and sediment loads to the Chesapeake Bay and several stream reaches are on the PAuthorsMichael J. Langland, Joseph W. Duris, Tammy M. Zimmerman, Jeffrey J. ChaplinFilter Total Items: 81Sediment transport by streams draining into the Delaware Estuary
The quantity of sediment transported by streams draining into the Delaware estuary from Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware varies areally according to geology, physiography, and land use. Of the estimated total sediment load of 1.6 million tons entering the Delaware estuary annually, about 48 percent is contributed by the Delaware River main stem at Trenton, NJ; 34 percent by Pennsylvania tribAuthorsLawrence J. Mansue, Allen B. CommingsAppraisal of stream sedimentation in the Susquehanna River basin
The Susquehanna River presently transports about 3.0 million tons of sediment annually (110 tons per square mile). Only about 1.8 million tons of sediment enters the head of Chesapeake Bay annually because some sediment is trapped behind the power dams on the lower Susquehanna. Measured annual sediment yields from subbasins in the Susquehanna range from 40 to 440 tons per square mile. The highestAuthorsKenneth F. Williams, Lloyd A. ReedHydrology and sedimentation of Corey Creek and Elk Run basins, north-central Pennsylvania
Analysis of data collected from two small agricultural basins in northcehtral Pennsylvania during the period May 1954 to September 1967 indicates that conservation measures reduced the quantity of suspended sediment leaving the Corey Creek basin as a result of frequent storms during the growing season. Extensive soil conservation treatments were applied in the 12.2-squaremile Corey Creek basin, buAuthorsLloyd A. ReedEffects of roadway and pond construction on sediment yield near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
This report shows the effects that the construction of half a mile of one-lane roadway during June, July, and August 1970 and construction of a 5-acre pond during August and September 1970, had on sediment concentrations and sediment discharge of a stream draining an area of 0.76 square mile. The effects of the construction are shown by comparing the data collected from the affected basin with datAuthorsLloyd A. ReedEffects of agricultural conservation practices on the hydrology of Corey Creek basin, Pennsylvania, 1954-60
Analyses of data collected from two small basins in northern Pennsylvania during the period May 1954 to September 1960 indicated that changes in land use and land treatment have affected suspended- sediment discharge from the basins. Extensive land use and land-treatment changes have taken place in the 12.2-square-mile Corey Creek study basin, whereas such changes in the 10.2-square-mile Elk Run bAuthorsBenjamin L. JonesSedimentation and land use in Core Creek and Elk Run basins, Pennsylvania, 1954-60 (A progress report)
Analyses of data collected from two small basins in northern Pennsylvania during the period May 1954-September 1960 indicated a general relationship between changes in land use and land treatment and changes in suspended-sediment discharge from the basins. Extensive land use and land-treatment changes have taken place in the 12.2 square-mile Corey Creek study basin while such changes in the 10.2 sAuthorsBenjamin L. JonesProgress report of hydrology and sedimentation in Bixler Run, Corey Creek, and Elk Run watersheds, Pennsylvania
This report describes the results of an investigation in progress and presents some tentative findings from a study of hydrology and sedimentation of three small watersheds where soil conservation practices are being applied. The study was begun in April 1954, to determine precipitation, runoff, probable sources and yields of sediment, and channel changes in two small watersheds in Pennsylvania. TAuthorsJ.K. CulbertsonThe trend of suspended-sediment discharge of the Brandywine Creek at Wilmington, Del., 1947-1955
This report presents an analysis and evaluation of the trend of the sediment yield for the Brandywine Creek at Wilmington, Del., for the period from December 1946 to September 1955. The interest in such an analysis and evaluation stems from the efforts of the Brandywine Valley Association and others to reduce erosion and improve land use in the watershed. The data used for the analysis were takenAuthorsHarold P. GuyThe natural channel of Brandywine Creek, Pennsylvania
This study of the channel of Brandy wine Creek, Pennsylvania, consists of three parts. The first is an analysis of the changes which take place in the width, depth, velocity, slope of the water surface, suspended load, and roughness factor with changing discharge below the bankfull stage at each of several widely separated cross sections of the channel. Expressed as functions of the discharge, itAuthorsM. G. Wolman - Web Tools
- News
News