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Sediment transport in the Snake and Clearwater rivers in the vicinity of Lewiston, Idaho

January 1, 1980

During the period 1972-79, the bedload in the Clearwater River ranged from about 50,000 tons (45,000 metric tons) per year in 1972 and 1974 to about 1,000 tons (910 metric tons) per year in the drought years of 1973 and 1977. Suspended-sediment load at the same location ranged from about 1,000,000 tons (910,000 metric tons) per year to about 50,000 tons (45,000 metric tons) per year for the same respective years.


In the Snake River, bedload ranged from about 200,000 tons (180,000 metric tons) per year for 1972 and 1974 to about 10,000 tons (9,100 metric tons) per year in 1973; bedload was too low for determination in 1977. Suspended-sediment load ranged from about 5,000,000 tons (4,500,000 metric tons) per year in 1974 to about 50,000 tons (45,000 metric tons) per year in 1977.


Bedload thus ranged from about 2 to 10 percent of suspended load and average about 5 percent.


For either river, bedload particle size was bimodal. Modes were in the medium- to coarse-sand range and in the very coarse-gravel range. Suspended-sediment particle size was generally finer than sand.

Publication Year 1980
Title Sediment transport in the Snake and Clearwater rivers in the vicinity of Lewiston, Idaho
DOI 10.3133/ofr80690
Authors Michael L. Jones, Harold R. Seitz
Publication Type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Series Title Open-File Report
Series Number 80-690
Index ID ofr80690
Record Source USGS Publications Warehouse
USGS Organization Idaho Water Science Center
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