Geomorphic Creek Transect

Geomorphic Creek Transect

These transects are established across a creek in order to measure erosion and deposition. Pins are driven into the floodplain and the banks and measured. As erosion occurs, more of the pin will emerge over time, and the measured length of the pins will increase. As deposition occurs, the pins will become buried deeper, and the measured length will decrease. In this way, scientists can measure where a stream is trapping or losing sediment, and how much.