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Geomorphology & Sediment Transport

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By Washington Water Science Center April 16, 2018

Geomorphology is the study of the formation and evolution of landforms on Earth's surface. In the Pacific Northwest, volcanoes, tectonic movement, glaciers, rain, snow, wind, vegetation, animals, and people all shape the landscape at different scales of time and space. Of particular interest in the region is the form and processes of rivers, a branch of the science termed fluvial geomorphology. Rivers are extremely important to the people, plants, and animals in the Pacific Northwest, providing water for ecosystems and transporting sometimes large amounts of sediment downstream.

Media
Geomorphology & Sediment Transport
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
Geomorphology & Sediment Transport(Public domain.)

To understand how rivers move and change over time, the USGS is studying river hydraulics, sediment transport in rivers from the mountains to the ocean, the role of large wood in influencing river shape, impacts on the aquatic ecology and fish in rivers, and how river flooding worsens or improves over time.

Below are other science projects associated with this project.

Sumas River near Nooksack, WA

Sumas River Sediment Load

The Issue: A large, clay-rich active landslide on the western flank of Sumas Mountain in Whatcom County, Washington, is a significant source of sediment to Swift Creek and the salmon-bearing Sumas River. The landslide contains naturally occurring serpentinite that weathers to chrysotile asbestos and elevated levels of metals. The asbestos load in water as well as deposits along the banks and flood...
By
Washington Water Science Center
Sumas River Sediment Load

Sumas River Sediment Load

The Issue: A large, clay-rich active landslide on the western flank of Sumas Mountain in Whatcom County, Washington, is a significant source of sediment to Swift Creek and the salmon-bearing Sumas River. The landslide contains naturally occurring serpentinite that weathers to chrysotile asbestos and elevated levels of metals. The asbestos load in water as well as deposits along the banks and flood...
Learn More
Elwha River Sediment Monitoring Study Area

Elwha River Sediment Monitoring

The Issue: The Elwha River Restoration Project is the largest single restoration action planned for the Puget Sound region in the foreseeable future and is a high priority for the Puget Sound Partnership. Beginning in 2011, two large dams on the Elwha River in Clallam County, Washington, will be removed by the National Park Service over about two and a half years. During removal, sediment...
By
Washington Water Science Center
Elwha River Sediment Monitoring

Elwha River Sediment Monitoring

The Issue: The Elwha River Restoration Project is the largest single restoration action planned for the Puget Sound region in the foreseeable future and is a high priority for the Puget Sound Partnership. Beginning in 2011, two large dams on the Elwha River in Clallam County, Washington, will be removed by the National Park Service over about two and a half years. During removal, sediment...
Learn More
Sauk River basin with principal tributaries Suiattle River and White Chuck River

Sauk River Sediment

Fine-grained sediments in the lower reach of the Sauk River are adversely affecting the health and spawning of Chinook salmon. Climate change and forestry practices have been proposed as suspected causes of a reported increase in sediment loading to the river. To determine the amount and timing of suspended-sediment loading to the river and possible connections to adverse effects on Chinook salmon...
By
Washington Water Science Center
Sauk River Sediment

Sauk River Sediment

Fine-grained sediments in the lower reach of the Sauk River are adversely affecting the health and spawning of Chinook salmon. Climate change and forestry practices have been proposed as suspected causes of a reported increase in sediment loading to the river. To determine the amount and timing of suspended-sediment loading to the river and possible connections to adverse effects on Chinook salmon...
Learn More
Effect of a levee setback on aquatic resources using two-dimensional flow and bioenergetics models Report Cover

White River Bioenergetics

The White River Basin is located in western Washington and drains an area of about 500 square miles. Rivers in the White River Basin are fed by melt water from glaciers on Mt. Rainier, runoff from snowmelt and rain, and groundwater discharge. Beginning in the early to mid-twentieth century, the White River from river mile (RM) 9 to its confluence with the Puyallup River was extensively channelized...
By
Washington Water Science Center
White River Bioenergetics

White River Bioenergetics

The White River Basin is located in western Washington and drains an area of about 500 square miles. Rivers in the White River Basin are fed by melt water from glaciers on Mt. Rainier, runoff from snowmelt and rain, and groundwater discharge. Beginning in the early to mid-twentieth century, the White River from river mile (RM) 9 to its confluence with the Puyallup River was extensively channelized...
Learn More
Cedar River 1

Cedar River Peak Flow Management

The Cedar River watershed provides two-thirds of the water supply for the greater Seattle metropolitan region, in addition to being home to numerous federally listed salmon species. The City of Seattle, through Seattle Public Utilities (SPU), works closely with the Cedar River Instream Flow Commission (IFC) to adaptively manage flows on the Cedar River. Seattle operates its water management...
By
Washington Water Science Center
Cedar River Peak Flow Management

Cedar River Peak Flow Management

The Cedar River watershed provides two-thirds of the water supply for the greater Seattle metropolitan region, in addition to being home to numerous federally listed salmon species. The City of Seattle, through Seattle Public Utilities (SPU), works closely with the Cedar River Instream Flow Commission (IFC) to adaptively manage flows on the Cedar River. Seattle operates its water management...
Learn More
Picture of Mt. Rainier over the Puyallup River

Mount Rainier Fluvial Geomorphology and River Sedimentation

To provide information for management efforts to reduce flooding and improve aquatic habitat in the Lower Puyallup River Basin (Puyallup, Carbon and White Rivers), Pierce County and other stakeholders are looking for river-system management options that consider the system's flood-carrying capacity and trends in sedimentation. To assist, the USGS is building a computerized hydraulic model of the...
By
Washington Water Science Center
Mount Rainier Fluvial Geomorphology and River Sedimentation

Mount Rainier Fluvial Geomorphology and River Sedimentation

To provide information for management efforts to reduce flooding and improve aquatic habitat in the Lower Puyallup River Basin (Puyallup, Carbon and White Rivers), Pierce County and other stakeholders are looking for river-system management options that consider the system's flood-carrying capacity and trends in sedimentation. To assist, the USGS is building a computerized hydraulic model of the...
Learn More

Below are publications associated with this project.

Filter Total Items: 15

Effect of a levee setback on aquatic resources using two-dimensional flow and bioenergetics models Effect of a levee setback on aquatic resources using two-dimensional flow and bioenergetics models

Watershed restoration is the focus of many resource managers and can include a multitude of restoration actions each with specific restoration objectives. For the White River flowing through the cities of Pacific and Sumner, Washington, a levee setback has been proposed to reconnect the river with its historical floodplain to help reduce flood risks, as well as provide increased habitat...
Authors
Robert W. Black, Christiana R. Czuba, Christopher S. Magirl, Sarah McCarthy, Hans Berge, Kyle Comanor
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Washington Water Science Center

The timing of scour and fill in a gravel-bedded river measured with buried accelerometers The timing of scour and fill in a gravel-bedded river measured with buried accelerometers

A device that measures the timing of streambed scour and the duration of sediment mobilization at specific depths of a streambed was developed using data-logging accelerometers placed within the gravel substrate of the Cedar River, Washington, USA. Each accelerometer recorded its orientation every 20 min and remained stable until the surrounding gravel matrix mobilized as sediment was...
Authors
Andrew S. Gendaszek, Christopher S. Magirl, Christiana R. Czuba, Christopher P. Konrad
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Washington Water Science Center

Geomorphic analysis of the river response to sedimentation downstream of Mount Rainier, Washington Geomorphic analysis of the river response to sedimentation downstream of Mount Rainier, Washington

A study of the geomorphology of rivers draining Mount Rainier, Washington, was completed to identify sources of sediment to the river network; to identify important processes in the sediment delivery system; to assess current sediment loads in rivers draining Mount Rainier; to evaluate if there were trends in streamflow or sediment load since the early 20th century; and to assess how...
Authors
Jonathan A. Czuba, Christopher S. Magirl, Christiana R. Czuba, Christopher A. Curran, Kenneth H. Johnson, Theresa D. Olsen, Halley K. Kimball, Casey C. Gish
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Washington Water Science Center

Geomorphic response to flow regulation and channel and floodplain alteration in the gravel-bedded Cedar River, Washington, USA Geomorphic response to flow regulation and channel and floodplain alteration in the gravel-bedded Cedar River, Washington, USA

Decadal- to annual-scale analyses of changes to the fluvial form and processes of the Cedar River in Washington State, USA, reveal the effects of flow regulation, bank stabilization, and log-jam removal on a gravel-bedded river in a temperate climate. During the twentieth century, revetments were built along ~ 60% of the lower Cedar River's length and the 2-year return period flow...
Authors
Andrew S. Gendaszek, Christopher S. Magirl, Christiana R. Czuba
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Washington Water Science Center, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, Upper Midwest Water Science Center

Geomorphic and hydrologic study of peak-flow management on the Cedar River, Washington Geomorphic and hydrologic study of peak-flow management on the Cedar River, Washington

Assessing the linkages between high-flow events, geomorphic response, and effects on stream ecology is critical to river management. High flows on the gravel-bedded Cedar River in Washington are important to the geomorphic function of the river; however, high flows can deleteriously affect salmon embryos incubating in streambed gravels. A geomorphic analysis of the Cedar River showed...
Authors
Christopher S. Magirl, Andrew S. Gendaszek, Christiana R. Czuba, Christopher P. Konrad, Mathieu D. Marineau
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Washington Water Science Center

River turbidity and sediment loads during dam removal River turbidity and sediment loads during dam removal

Dam decommissioning has become an important means for removing unsafe or obsolete dams and for restoring natural fluvial processes, including discharge regimes, sediment transport, and ecosystem connectivity [Doyle et al., 2003]. The largest dam-removal project in history began in September 2011 on the Elwha River of Washington State (Figure 1a). The project, which aims to restore the...
Authors
Jonathan A. Warrick, Jeffrey J. Duda, Christopher S. Magirl, Chris A. Curran
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Water Resources Mission Area, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center, Washington Water Science Center, Western Fisheries Research Center

Changes in sediment volume in Alder Lake, Nisqually River Basin, Washington, 1945-2011 Changes in sediment volume in Alder Lake, Nisqually River Basin, Washington, 1945-2011

The Nisqually River drains the southwest slopes of Mount Rainier, a glaciated stratovolcano in the Cascade Range of western Washington. The Nisqually River was impounded behind Alder Dam when the dam was completed in 1945 and formed Alder Lake. This report quantifies the volume of sediment deposited by the Nisqually and Little Nisqually Rivers in their respective deltas in Alder Lake...
Authors
Jonathan A. Czuba, Theresa D. Olsen, Christiana R. Czuba, Christopher S. Magirl, Casey C. Gish
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Washington Water Science Center

Sediment load from major rivers into Puget Sound and its adjacent waters Sediment load from major rivers into Puget Sound and its adjacent waters

Each year, an estimated load of 6.5 million tons of sediment is transported by rivers to Puget Sound and its adjacent waters—enough to cover a football field to the height of six Space Needles. This estimated load is highly uncertain because sediment studies and available sediment-load data are sparse and historically limited to specific rivers, short time frames, and a narrow range of...
Authors
Jonathan A. Czuba, Christopher S. Magirl, Christiana R. Czuba, Eric E. Grossman, Christopher A. Curran, Andrew S. Gendaszek, Richard S. Dinicola
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Washington Water Science Center

Elwha River dam removal-Rebirth of a river Elwha River dam removal-Rebirth of a river

After years of planning for the largest project of its kind, the Department of the Interior will begin removal of two dams on the Elwha River, Washington, in September 2011. For nearly 100 years, the Elwha and Glines Canyon Dams have disrupted natural processes, trapping sediment in the reservoirs and blocking fish migrations, which changed the ecology of the river downstream of the dams...
Authors
Jeffrey J. Duda, Jonathan A. Warrick, Christopher S. Magirl
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center, Western Fisheries Research Center

Coastal habitats of the Elwha River, Washington- Biological and physical patterns and processes prior to dam removal Coastal habitats of the Elwha River, Washington- Biological and physical patterns and processes prior to dam removal

This report includes chapters that summarize the results of multidisciplinary studies to quantify and characterize the current (2011) status and baseline conditions of the lower Elwha River, its estuary, and the adjacent nearshore ecosystems prior to the historic removal of two long-standing dams that have strongly influenced river, estuary, and nearshore conditions. The studies were...
Authors
Jeffrey J. Duda, Jonathan A. Warrick, Christopher S. Magirl
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Western Fisheries Research Center

Channel-conveyance capacity, channel change, and sediment transport in the lower Puyallup, White, and Carbon Rivers, western Washington Channel-conveyance capacity, channel change, and sediment transport in the lower Puyallup, White, and Carbon Rivers, western Washington

Draining the volcanic, glaciated terrain of Mount Rainier, Washington, the Puyallup, White, and Carbon Rivers convey copious volumes of water and sediment down to Commencement Bay in Puget Sound. Recent flooding in the lowland river system has renewed interest in understanding sediment transport and its effects on flow conveyance throughout the lower drainage basin. Bathymetric and...
Authors
Jonathan A. Czuba, Christiana R. Czuba, Chistopher S. Magirl, Frank D. Voss
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Washington Water Science Center

Sediment Loading from Crab Creek and Other Sources to Moses Lake, Washington, 2007 and 2008 Sediment Loading from Crab Creek and Other Sources to Moses Lake, Washington, 2007 and 2008

The average sediment-accumulation rate on the bed of Moses Lake since 1980, based on the identification of Mount St. Helens ash in lakebed cores, was 0.24 inches per year. Summed over the lake surface area, the average sediment-accumulation rate on the lakebed is 190,000 tons per year. Based on USGS stream-gaging station data, the average annual sediment load to Moses Lake from Crab...
Authors
Christopher S. Magirl, Stephen E. Cox, Mark C. Mastin, Raegan L. Huffman
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Washington Water Science Center

Below are partners associated with this project.

Bureau of Reclamation Bureau of Reclamation

King County Department of Natural Resources King County Department of Natural Resources

King County River and Floodplain Management Section King County River and Floodplain Management Section

King County Water and Land Resources Division King County Water and Land Resources Division

Pierce County Pierce County

Pierce County Public Works and Utilities, Surface Water Management Pierce County Public Works and Utilities, Surface Water Management

Port Gamble S'Klallam Tribe Port Gamble S'Klallam Tribe

Puget Sound Partnership Puget Sound Partnership

Seattle Public Utilities Seattle Public Utilities

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR)

Geomorphology is the study of the formation and evolution of landforms on Earth's surface. In the Pacific Northwest, volcanoes, tectonic movement, glaciers, rain, snow, wind, vegetation, animals, and people all shape the landscape at different scales of time and space. Of particular interest in the region is the form and processes of rivers, a branch of the science termed fluvial geomorphology. Rivers are extremely important to the people, plants, and animals in the Pacific Northwest, providing water for ecosystems and transporting sometimes large amounts of sediment downstream.

Media
Geomorphology & Sediment Transport
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
Geomorphology & Sediment Transport(Public domain.)

To understand how rivers move and change over time, the USGS is studying river hydraulics, sediment transport in rivers from the mountains to the ocean, the role of large wood in influencing river shape, impacts on the aquatic ecology and fish in rivers, and how river flooding worsens or improves over time.

Below are other science projects associated with this project.

Sumas River near Nooksack, WA

Sumas River Sediment Load

The Issue: A large, clay-rich active landslide on the western flank of Sumas Mountain in Whatcom County, Washington, is a significant source of sediment to Swift Creek and the salmon-bearing Sumas River. The landslide contains naturally occurring serpentinite that weathers to chrysotile asbestos and elevated levels of metals. The asbestos load in water as well as deposits along the banks and flood...
By
Washington Water Science Center
Sumas River Sediment Load

Sumas River Sediment Load

The Issue: A large, clay-rich active landslide on the western flank of Sumas Mountain in Whatcom County, Washington, is a significant source of sediment to Swift Creek and the salmon-bearing Sumas River. The landslide contains naturally occurring serpentinite that weathers to chrysotile asbestos and elevated levels of metals. The asbestos load in water as well as deposits along the banks and flood...
Learn More
Elwha River Sediment Monitoring Study Area

Elwha River Sediment Monitoring

The Issue: The Elwha River Restoration Project is the largest single restoration action planned for the Puget Sound region in the foreseeable future and is a high priority for the Puget Sound Partnership. Beginning in 2011, two large dams on the Elwha River in Clallam County, Washington, will be removed by the National Park Service over about two and a half years. During removal, sediment...
By
Washington Water Science Center
Elwha River Sediment Monitoring

Elwha River Sediment Monitoring

The Issue: The Elwha River Restoration Project is the largest single restoration action planned for the Puget Sound region in the foreseeable future and is a high priority for the Puget Sound Partnership. Beginning in 2011, two large dams on the Elwha River in Clallam County, Washington, will be removed by the National Park Service over about two and a half years. During removal, sediment...
Learn More
Sauk River basin with principal tributaries Suiattle River and White Chuck River

Sauk River Sediment

Fine-grained sediments in the lower reach of the Sauk River are adversely affecting the health and spawning of Chinook salmon. Climate change and forestry practices have been proposed as suspected causes of a reported increase in sediment loading to the river. To determine the amount and timing of suspended-sediment loading to the river and possible connections to adverse effects on Chinook salmon...
By
Washington Water Science Center
Sauk River Sediment

Sauk River Sediment

Fine-grained sediments in the lower reach of the Sauk River are adversely affecting the health and spawning of Chinook salmon. Climate change and forestry practices have been proposed as suspected causes of a reported increase in sediment loading to the river. To determine the amount and timing of suspended-sediment loading to the river and possible connections to adverse effects on Chinook salmon...
Learn More
Effect of a levee setback on aquatic resources using two-dimensional flow and bioenergetics models Report Cover

White River Bioenergetics

The White River Basin is located in western Washington and drains an area of about 500 square miles. Rivers in the White River Basin are fed by melt water from glaciers on Mt. Rainier, runoff from snowmelt and rain, and groundwater discharge. Beginning in the early to mid-twentieth century, the White River from river mile (RM) 9 to its confluence with the Puyallup River was extensively channelized...
By
Washington Water Science Center
White River Bioenergetics

White River Bioenergetics

The White River Basin is located in western Washington and drains an area of about 500 square miles. Rivers in the White River Basin are fed by melt water from glaciers on Mt. Rainier, runoff from snowmelt and rain, and groundwater discharge. Beginning in the early to mid-twentieth century, the White River from river mile (RM) 9 to its confluence with the Puyallup River was extensively channelized...
Learn More
Cedar River 1

Cedar River Peak Flow Management

The Cedar River watershed provides two-thirds of the water supply for the greater Seattle metropolitan region, in addition to being home to numerous federally listed salmon species. The City of Seattle, through Seattle Public Utilities (SPU), works closely with the Cedar River Instream Flow Commission (IFC) to adaptively manage flows on the Cedar River. Seattle operates its water management...
By
Washington Water Science Center
Cedar River Peak Flow Management

Cedar River Peak Flow Management

The Cedar River watershed provides two-thirds of the water supply for the greater Seattle metropolitan region, in addition to being home to numerous federally listed salmon species. The City of Seattle, through Seattle Public Utilities (SPU), works closely with the Cedar River Instream Flow Commission (IFC) to adaptively manage flows on the Cedar River. Seattle operates its water management...
Learn More
Picture of Mt. Rainier over the Puyallup River

Mount Rainier Fluvial Geomorphology and River Sedimentation

To provide information for management efforts to reduce flooding and improve aquatic habitat in the Lower Puyallup River Basin (Puyallup, Carbon and White Rivers), Pierce County and other stakeholders are looking for river-system management options that consider the system's flood-carrying capacity and trends in sedimentation. To assist, the USGS is building a computerized hydraulic model of the...
By
Washington Water Science Center
Mount Rainier Fluvial Geomorphology and River Sedimentation

Mount Rainier Fluvial Geomorphology and River Sedimentation

To provide information for management efforts to reduce flooding and improve aquatic habitat in the Lower Puyallup River Basin (Puyallup, Carbon and White Rivers), Pierce County and other stakeholders are looking for river-system management options that consider the system's flood-carrying capacity and trends in sedimentation. To assist, the USGS is building a computerized hydraulic model of the...
Learn More

Below are publications associated with this project.

Filter Total Items: 15

Effect of a levee setback on aquatic resources using two-dimensional flow and bioenergetics models Effect of a levee setback on aquatic resources using two-dimensional flow and bioenergetics models

Watershed restoration is the focus of many resource managers and can include a multitude of restoration actions each with specific restoration objectives. For the White River flowing through the cities of Pacific and Sumner, Washington, a levee setback has been proposed to reconnect the river with its historical floodplain to help reduce flood risks, as well as provide increased habitat...
Authors
Robert W. Black, Christiana R. Czuba, Christopher S. Magirl, Sarah McCarthy, Hans Berge, Kyle Comanor
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Washington Water Science Center

The timing of scour and fill in a gravel-bedded river measured with buried accelerometers The timing of scour and fill in a gravel-bedded river measured with buried accelerometers

A device that measures the timing of streambed scour and the duration of sediment mobilization at specific depths of a streambed was developed using data-logging accelerometers placed within the gravel substrate of the Cedar River, Washington, USA. Each accelerometer recorded its orientation every 20 min and remained stable until the surrounding gravel matrix mobilized as sediment was...
Authors
Andrew S. Gendaszek, Christopher S. Magirl, Christiana R. Czuba, Christopher P. Konrad
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Washington Water Science Center

Geomorphic analysis of the river response to sedimentation downstream of Mount Rainier, Washington Geomorphic analysis of the river response to sedimentation downstream of Mount Rainier, Washington

A study of the geomorphology of rivers draining Mount Rainier, Washington, was completed to identify sources of sediment to the river network; to identify important processes in the sediment delivery system; to assess current sediment loads in rivers draining Mount Rainier; to evaluate if there were trends in streamflow or sediment load since the early 20th century; and to assess how...
Authors
Jonathan A. Czuba, Christopher S. Magirl, Christiana R. Czuba, Christopher A. Curran, Kenneth H. Johnson, Theresa D. Olsen, Halley K. Kimball, Casey C. Gish
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Washington Water Science Center

Geomorphic response to flow regulation and channel and floodplain alteration in the gravel-bedded Cedar River, Washington, USA Geomorphic response to flow regulation and channel and floodplain alteration in the gravel-bedded Cedar River, Washington, USA

Decadal- to annual-scale analyses of changes to the fluvial form and processes of the Cedar River in Washington State, USA, reveal the effects of flow regulation, bank stabilization, and log-jam removal on a gravel-bedded river in a temperate climate. During the twentieth century, revetments were built along ~ 60% of the lower Cedar River's length and the 2-year return period flow...
Authors
Andrew S. Gendaszek, Christopher S. Magirl, Christiana R. Czuba
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Washington Water Science Center, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, Upper Midwest Water Science Center

Geomorphic and hydrologic study of peak-flow management on the Cedar River, Washington Geomorphic and hydrologic study of peak-flow management on the Cedar River, Washington

Assessing the linkages between high-flow events, geomorphic response, and effects on stream ecology is critical to river management. High flows on the gravel-bedded Cedar River in Washington are important to the geomorphic function of the river; however, high flows can deleteriously affect salmon embryos incubating in streambed gravels. A geomorphic analysis of the Cedar River showed...
Authors
Christopher S. Magirl, Andrew S. Gendaszek, Christiana R. Czuba, Christopher P. Konrad, Mathieu D. Marineau
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Washington Water Science Center

River turbidity and sediment loads during dam removal River turbidity and sediment loads during dam removal

Dam decommissioning has become an important means for removing unsafe or obsolete dams and for restoring natural fluvial processes, including discharge regimes, sediment transport, and ecosystem connectivity [Doyle et al., 2003]. The largest dam-removal project in history began in September 2011 on the Elwha River of Washington State (Figure 1a). The project, which aims to restore the...
Authors
Jonathan A. Warrick, Jeffrey J. Duda, Christopher S. Magirl, Chris A. Curran
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Water Resources Mission Area, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center, Washington Water Science Center, Western Fisheries Research Center

Changes in sediment volume in Alder Lake, Nisqually River Basin, Washington, 1945-2011 Changes in sediment volume in Alder Lake, Nisqually River Basin, Washington, 1945-2011

The Nisqually River drains the southwest slopes of Mount Rainier, a glaciated stratovolcano in the Cascade Range of western Washington. The Nisqually River was impounded behind Alder Dam when the dam was completed in 1945 and formed Alder Lake. This report quantifies the volume of sediment deposited by the Nisqually and Little Nisqually Rivers in their respective deltas in Alder Lake...
Authors
Jonathan A. Czuba, Theresa D. Olsen, Christiana R. Czuba, Christopher S. Magirl, Casey C. Gish
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Washington Water Science Center

Sediment load from major rivers into Puget Sound and its adjacent waters Sediment load from major rivers into Puget Sound and its adjacent waters

Each year, an estimated load of 6.5 million tons of sediment is transported by rivers to Puget Sound and its adjacent waters—enough to cover a football field to the height of six Space Needles. This estimated load is highly uncertain because sediment studies and available sediment-load data are sparse and historically limited to specific rivers, short time frames, and a narrow range of...
Authors
Jonathan A. Czuba, Christopher S. Magirl, Christiana R. Czuba, Eric E. Grossman, Christopher A. Curran, Andrew S. Gendaszek, Richard S. Dinicola
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Washington Water Science Center

Elwha River dam removal-Rebirth of a river Elwha River dam removal-Rebirth of a river

After years of planning for the largest project of its kind, the Department of the Interior will begin removal of two dams on the Elwha River, Washington, in September 2011. For nearly 100 years, the Elwha and Glines Canyon Dams have disrupted natural processes, trapping sediment in the reservoirs and blocking fish migrations, which changed the ecology of the river downstream of the dams...
Authors
Jeffrey J. Duda, Jonathan A. Warrick, Christopher S. Magirl
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center, Western Fisheries Research Center

Coastal habitats of the Elwha River, Washington- Biological and physical patterns and processes prior to dam removal Coastal habitats of the Elwha River, Washington- Biological and physical patterns and processes prior to dam removal

This report includes chapters that summarize the results of multidisciplinary studies to quantify and characterize the current (2011) status and baseline conditions of the lower Elwha River, its estuary, and the adjacent nearshore ecosystems prior to the historic removal of two long-standing dams that have strongly influenced river, estuary, and nearshore conditions. The studies were...
Authors
Jeffrey J. Duda, Jonathan A. Warrick, Christopher S. Magirl
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Western Fisheries Research Center

Channel-conveyance capacity, channel change, and sediment transport in the lower Puyallup, White, and Carbon Rivers, western Washington Channel-conveyance capacity, channel change, and sediment transport in the lower Puyallup, White, and Carbon Rivers, western Washington

Draining the volcanic, glaciated terrain of Mount Rainier, Washington, the Puyallup, White, and Carbon Rivers convey copious volumes of water and sediment down to Commencement Bay in Puget Sound. Recent flooding in the lowland river system has renewed interest in understanding sediment transport and its effects on flow conveyance throughout the lower drainage basin. Bathymetric and...
Authors
Jonathan A. Czuba, Christiana R. Czuba, Chistopher S. Magirl, Frank D. Voss
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Washington Water Science Center

Sediment Loading from Crab Creek and Other Sources to Moses Lake, Washington, 2007 and 2008 Sediment Loading from Crab Creek and Other Sources to Moses Lake, Washington, 2007 and 2008

The average sediment-accumulation rate on the bed of Moses Lake since 1980, based on the identification of Mount St. Helens ash in lakebed cores, was 0.24 inches per year. Summed over the lake surface area, the average sediment-accumulation rate on the lakebed is 190,000 tons per year. Based on USGS stream-gaging station data, the average annual sediment load to Moses Lake from Crab...
Authors
Christopher S. Magirl, Stephen E. Cox, Mark C. Mastin, Raegan L. Huffman
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Washington Water Science Center

Below are partners associated with this project.

Bureau of Reclamation Bureau of Reclamation

King County Department of Natural Resources King County Department of Natural Resources

King County River and Floodplain Management Section King County River and Floodplain Management Section

King County Water and Land Resources Division King County Water and Land Resources Division

Pierce County Pierce County

Pierce County Public Works and Utilities, Surface Water Management Pierce County Public Works and Utilities, Surface Water Management

Port Gamble S'Klallam Tribe Port Gamble S'Klallam Tribe

Puget Sound Partnership Puget Sound Partnership

Seattle Public Utilities Seattle Public Utilities

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR)

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