Sediment transport from Urban, Urbanizing, and Rural Areas In Johnson County Kansas, 2006-2008: Presented at the 9th Joint Federal Interagency Sedimentation Conference, Las Vegas, NV
The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Johnson County Stormwater Management Program has studied sediment transport in Johnson County streams and lakes to better understand how changes from agricultural to urban land use alter sediment in streams and lakes, characterize how these uses may affect lake storage and biological integrity of streams, and evaluate the effectiveness of management practices designed to reduce sediment transport to streams and lakes, so that the county can best manage its water resources.
How does urbanization affect sediment transport in streams and lakes, and why do changes in sediment transport matter?
During urban construction, removal of surface vegetation and excavation of soils for building and road foundations greatly increase soil erosion during rainfall events. These soils are transported from construction sites and can be redeposited on land surfaces, floodplains, and streambeds and in lakes. When the construction phase is finished, impervious surfaces (streets, parking lots, building roofs) route rainwater directly to streams, resulting in larger, faster streamflows that can increase the transport of deposited sediments and incise or widen stream channels. Changes to natural streams as a result of urbanization can result in property loss, reduction in biological diversity, siltation of downstream reservoirs, and increased water treatment costs.
How is sediment transport being studied in Johnson County?
The vast majority of sediment moves through streams during sporadic, high flow events which occur during and after periods of heavy rainfall. This is especially true in small, urban streams in which runoff conditions can persist for only hours. Historically, sediment-related impairments to streams and lakes have been assessed by comparing the results of periodically collected sediment samples. However increased recognition of the time-scales in which sediment is transported, as well as the deployment of sensors that collect water-quality data continuously within streams have allowed sediment impairments to be assessed much more accurately. Since 2002, the USGS has installed and operated continuous stream-level and turbidity sensors to quantify if, and to what extent climate and land-use change have changed sediment transport in streams.
Below are multimedia items associated with this project.
Sediment transport from Urban, Urbanizing, and Rural Areas In Johnson County Kansas, 2006-2008: Presented at the 9th Joint Federal Interagency Sedimentation Conference, Las Vegas, NV
Below are publications associated with this project.
Effects of urbanization, construction activity, management practices, and impoundments on suspended-sediment transport in Johnson County, northeast Kansas, February 2006 through November 2008
Transport and sources of suspended sediment in the Mill Creek Watershed, Johnson County, Northeast Kansas, 2006-07
Stormwater runoff: What it is and why it is important in Johnson County, Kansas
Estimation of Constituent Concentrations, Loads, and Yields in Streams of Johnson County, Northeast Kansas, Using Continuous Water-Quality Monitoring and Regression Models, October 2002 through December 2006
Bottom-Sediment Accumulation and Quality in Shawnee Mission Lake, Johnson County, Kansas, 2006
Sediment deposition and selected water-quality characteristics in Cedar Lake and Lake Olathe, Northeast Kansas, 2000
Below are partners associated with this project.
The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Johnson County Stormwater Management Program has studied sediment transport in Johnson County streams and lakes to better understand how changes from agricultural to urban land use alter sediment in streams and lakes, characterize how these uses may affect lake storage and biological integrity of streams, and evaluate the effectiveness of management practices designed to reduce sediment transport to streams and lakes, so that the county can best manage its water resources.
How does urbanization affect sediment transport in streams and lakes, and why do changes in sediment transport matter?
During urban construction, removal of surface vegetation and excavation of soils for building and road foundations greatly increase soil erosion during rainfall events. These soils are transported from construction sites and can be redeposited on land surfaces, floodplains, and streambeds and in lakes. When the construction phase is finished, impervious surfaces (streets, parking lots, building roofs) route rainwater directly to streams, resulting in larger, faster streamflows that can increase the transport of deposited sediments and incise or widen stream channels. Changes to natural streams as a result of urbanization can result in property loss, reduction in biological diversity, siltation of downstream reservoirs, and increased water treatment costs.
How is sediment transport being studied in Johnson County?
The vast majority of sediment moves through streams during sporadic, high flow events which occur during and after periods of heavy rainfall. This is especially true in small, urban streams in which runoff conditions can persist for only hours. Historically, sediment-related impairments to streams and lakes have been assessed by comparing the results of periodically collected sediment samples. However increased recognition of the time-scales in which sediment is transported, as well as the deployment of sensors that collect water-quality data continuously within streams have allowed sediment impairments to be assessed much more accurately. Since 2002, the USGS has installed and operated continuous stream-level and turbidity sensors to quantify if, and to what extent climate and land-use change have changed sediment transport in streams.
Below are multimedia items associated with this project.
Sediment transport from Urban, Urbanizing, and Rural Areas In Johnson County Kansas, 2006-2008: Presented at the 9th Joint Federal Interagency Sedimentation Conference, Las Vegas, NV
Sediment transport from Urban, Urbanizing, and Rural Areas In Johnson County Kansas, 2006-2008: Presented at the 9th Joint Federal Interagency Sedimentation Conference, Las Vegas, NV
Below are publications associated with this project.
Effects of urbanization, construction activity, management practices, and impoundments on suspended-sediment transport in Johnson County, northeast Kansas, February 2006 through November 2008
Transport and sources of suspended sediment in the Mill Creek Watershed, Johnson County, Northeast Kansas, 2006-07
Stormwater runoff: What it is and why it is important in Johnson County, Kansas
Estimation of Constituent Concentrations, Loads, and Yields in Streams of Johnson County, Northeast Kansas, Using Continuous Water-Quality Monitoring and Regression Models, October 2002 through December 2006
Bottom-Sediment Accumulation and Quality in Shawnee Mission Lake, Johnson County, Kansas, 2006
Sediment deposition and selected water-quality characteristics in Cedar Lake and Lake Olathe, Northeast Kansas, 2000
Below are partners associated with this project.