Roanoke River Water-Quality Monitoring and Modeling, N.C.
The relations among river flow, floodplain water level, and instream dissolved-oxygen (DO) concentrations are important but poorly understood for the Roanoke River. Flooding and floodplain inundation no longer follow a natural seasonal pattern of flooding in the winter and occasionally in the fall, and lower flows throughout the remainder of the year, but are primarily governed by upstream reservoir releases. The objective of this study was to provide the flow and water-quality modeling tools that can be used to assess the effects of changes in John H. Kerr operations on Roanoke River flows; duration, extent, depth, and timing of floodplain inundation; DO levels in the river; and intrusion of brackish water from Albemarle Sound upstream into the river.
Background:

The relations among river flow, floodplain water level, and instream dissolved-oxygen (DO) concentrations are important but poorly understood for the Roanoke River. Flooding and floodplain inundation no longer follow a natural seasonal pattern of flooding in the winter and occasionally in the fall, and lower flows throughout the remainder of the year, but are primarily governed by upstream reservoir releases. The timing, duration, and extent of floodplain inundation can have either positive or negative effects on the ecosystem in the lower Roanoke River corridor, depending on the inundation characteristics. Timing, depth, and duration of floodplain inundation affects habitat use and reproductive success of wildlife and regeneration of bottomland hardwood trees.
During the relicensing process for the Roanoke Rapids and Gaston hydropower projects, studies identified potential opportunities to restore various Roanoke River habitats and mitigate effects of reservoir operations. Because operations of the John H. Kerr project primarily control overall flows in the Roanoke River, there may be a need to consider modifications in the operating rules of the project. Modeling tools, developed from extensive and credible site-specific data, are needed in order to assess effects of possible changes in Kerr operations on downstream flows, floodplain habitat, and water quality.
Objectives:
The objective of this study was to provide the flow and water-quality modeling tools that can be used to assess the effects of changes in John H. Kerr operations on Roanoke River flows; duration, extent, depth, and timing of floodplain inundation; DO levels in the river; and intrusion of brackish water from Albemarle Sound upstream into the river.
Approach:
This objective will be met by performing the following tasks:
(1) review existing data and develop a hydrologic and water-quality monitoring plan to support modeling;
(2) review existing modeling frameworks for the Roanoke River;
(3) implement the hydrologic and water-quality monitoring program;
(4) develop, calibrate, and test a hydrodynamic model that is capable of simulating upstream and downstream movement of water, as well as the storage and release of water from the floodplains;
(5) develop, calibrate, and test an unsteady water-quality model that simulates DO dynamics in the main channel and the floodplain and accounts for the effects of brackish water intrusion from Albemarle Sound on flow and DO processes; and
(6) apply these models to determine effects of selected water management scenarios on downstream flows, floodplain inundation, and DO.
USGS Real-Time streamflow data for the Lower Roanoke River
02080500 ROANOKE RIVER AT ROANOKE RAPIDS, NC
0208062765 ROANOKE RIVER AT HALIFAX, NC
02081000 ROANOKE RIVER NEAR SCOTLAND NECK, NC
02081022 ROANOKE RIVER NEAR OAK CITY, NC
02081028 ROANOKE RIVER AT HAMILTON, NC
02081054 ROANOKE RIVER AT WILLIAMSTON, NC
02081094 ROANOKE RIVER AT JAMESVILLE, NC
0208111310 CASHIE RIVER AT SR1257 NEAR WINDSOR, NC
0208114150 ROANOKE RIVER AT NC 45 NR WESTOVER, NC
John H Kerr Dam & Reservoir: Environmental Restoration
John H Kerr Dam & Reservoir: Stakeholder Update Presentation
John H. Kerr - Roanoke River Basin: US Army Corps of Engineers website
Effects of flood control and other reservoir operations on the water quality of the lower Roanoke River, North Carolina
Relation between flows and dissolved oxygen in the Roanoke River between Roanoke Rapids Dam and Jamesville, North Carolina, 2005-2009
Bank erosion, mass wasting, water clarity, bathymetry and a sediment budget along the dam-regulated Lower Roanoke River, North Carolina
Detailed Sections from Auger Holes in the Roanoke Rapids 1:100,000 Map Sheet, North Carolina
Relations among floodplain water levels, instream dissolved-oxygen conditions, and streamflow in the lower Roanoke River, North Carolina, 1997-2001
Water and Streambed Sediment Quality, and Ecotoxicology of a Stream along the Blue Ridge Parkway, Adjacent to a Closed Landfill, near Roanoke, Virginia: 1999
Investigation of dioxin concentrations in the lower Roanoke River basin, North Carolina, February 26-March 7, 2001
The texture of surficial sediments in southeastern Long Island Sound off Roanoke Point, New York
Low-flow characteristics and profiles for selected streams in the Roanoke River basin, North Carolina
Simulation of unsteady flow in the Roanoke River from near Oak City to Williamston, North Carolina
An interim report on flows in the lower Roanoke River, and water quality and hydrodynamics of Albermarle Sound, North Carolina, October 1989-April 1991
Depositional environment of the Fincastle Conglomerate near Roanoke, Virginia
The relations among river flow, floodplain water level, and instream dissolved-oxygen (DO) concentrations are important but poorly understood for the Roanoke River. Flooding and floodplain inundation no longer follow a natural seasonal pattern of flooding in the winter and occasionally in the fall, and lower flows throughout the remainder of the year, but are primarily governed by upstream reservoir releases. The objective of this study was to provide the flow and water-quality modeling tools that can be used to assess the effects of changes in John H. Kerr operations on Roanoke River flows; duration, extent, depth, and timing of floodplain inundation; DO levels in the river; and intrusion of brackish water from Albemarle Sound upstream into the river.
Background:

The relations among river flow, floodplain water level, and instream dissolved-oxygen (DO) concentrations are important but poorly understood for the Roanoke River. Flooding and floodplain inundation no longer follow a natural seasonal pattern of flooding in the winter and occasionally in the fall, and lower flows throughout the remainder of the year, but are primarily governed by upstream reservoir releases. The timing, duration, and extent of floodplain inundation can have either positive or negative effects on the ecosystem in the lower Roanoke River corridor, depending on the inundation characteristics. Timing, depth, and duration of floodplain inundation affects habitat use and reproductive success of wildlife and regeneration of bottomland hardwood trees.
During the relicensing process for the Roanoke Rapids and Gaston hydropower projects, studies identified potential opportunities to restore various Roanoke River habitats and mitigate effects of reservoir operations. Because operations of the John H. Kerr project primarily control overall flows in the Roanoke River, there may be a need to consider modifications in the operating rules of the project. Modeling tools, developed from extensive and credible site-specific data, are needed in order to assess effects of possible changes in Kerr operations on downstream flows, floodplain habitat, and water quality.
Objectives:
The objective of this study was to provide the flow and water-quality modeling tools that can be used to assess the effects of changes in John H. Kerr operations on Roanoke River flows; duration, extent, depth, and timing of floodplain inundation; DO levels in the river; and intrusion of brackish water from Albemarle Sound upstream into the river.
Approach:
This objective will be met by performing the following tasks:
(1) review existing data and develop a hydrologic and water-quality monitoring plan to support modeling;
(2) review existing modeling frameworks for the Roanoke River;
(3) implement the hydrologic and water-quality monitoring program;
(4) develop, calibrate, and test a hydrodynamic model that is capable of simulating upstream and downstream movement of water, as well as the storage and release of water from the floodplains;
(5) develop, calibrate, and test an unsteady water-quality model that simulates DO dynamics in the main channel and the floodplain and accounts for the effects of brackish water intrusion from Albemarle Sound on flow and DO processes; and
(6) apply these models to determine effects of selected water management scenarios on downstream flows, floodplain inundation, and DO.
USGS Real-Time streamflow data for the Lower Roanoke River
02080500 ROANOKE RIVER AT ROANOKE RAPIDS, NC
0208062765 ROANOKE RIVER AT HALIFAX, NC
02081000 ROANOKE RIVER NEAR SCOTLAND NECK, NC
02081022 ROANOKE RIVER NEAR OAK CITY, NC
02081028 ROANOKE RIVER AT HAMILTON, NC
02081054 ROANOKE RIVER AT WILLIAMSTON, NC
02081094 ROANOKE RIVER AT JAMESVILLE, NC
0208111310 CASHIE RIVER AT SR1257 NEAR WINDSOR, NC
0208114150 ROANOKE RIVER AT NC 45 NR WESTOVER, NC
John H Kerr Dam & Reservoir: Environmental Restoration
John H Kerr Dam & Reservoir: Stakeholder Update Presentation
John H. Kerr - Roanoke River Basin: US Army Corps of Engineers website