big cypress/caddo watershed geomorphic classification
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Big Cypress/Caddo Watershed Geomorphic Classification. Ryan Smith The Nature Conservancy of Texas. Utility of River Classification. Understand watershed context of the river Understand normal channel, habitat, and biological characteristics Understand impacts on natural characteristics - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Big Cypress/Caddo Big Cypress/Caddo WatershedWatershed
Geomorphic ClassificationGeomorphic ClassificationRyan SmithRyan Smith
The Nature Conservancy of The Nature Conservancy of TexasTexas
Utility of River ClassificationUtility of River Classification Understand watershed context of the Understand watershed context of the
riverriver Understand normal channel, habitat, Understand normal channel, habitat,
and biological characteristicsand biological characteristics Understand impacts on natural Understand impacts on natural
characteristicscharacteristics Selection of reaches for studies of Selection of reaches for studies of
habitat, water quality, riparian, etc habitat, water quality, riparian, etc
River StylesRiver Styles Brierly and Fryirs 2000Brierly and Fryirs 2000 Developed in AustraliaDeveloped in Australia Selected by TCEQ, TPWD, and TWDB for Selected by TCEQ, TPWD, and TWDB for
Texas Instream Flows ProgramTexas Instream Flows Program Meets recommendations of NAS reviewMeets recommendations of NAS review
Physical basisPhysical basis Channel morphologyChannel morphology Hierarchical structureHierarchical structure Physiographic/hydrologic settingPhysiographic/hydrologic setting Floodplain and riparian zoneFloodplain and riparian zone
Stage 1 Data Compilation (description and mapping) • Derive watershed boundary conditions • Determine landscape units • Assess river character
Stage 2 Data Analysis • Define and interpret River Styles • Explain contemporary character/behavior
• Assess river historyStage 3 Predict future river structureStage 4 Prioritize watershed management issuesStage 5 Identify target conditions for river
Stages of a River Styles Stages of a River Styles ProcedureProcedure
River Styles HierarchyWatershed Watershed area determined by drainage divide. Determines
the boundary conditions within which rivers operate.
Geomorphic Unit Instream and floodplain landforms (pools, bars, levees, backwaters, etc.) that reflect distinct form-process associations.
River Style Length of channel with a characteristic assemblage of geomorphic units.
Landscape Unit Topographic unit determined on the basis of local relief, valley slope and morphology. Defines the valley-setting.
Hydraulic Unit Uniform patches of flow and substrate material within a geomorphic unit.
Microhabitat Individual elements (e.g., logs, rocks, gravel patches) within a stream.
GIS Data AtlasGIS Data Atlas TNC NFWF grantTNC NFWF grant
GIS data atlas for the Caddo Lake watershed GIS data atlas for the Caddo Lake watershed West Gulf Coastal Plain aquatic conservation West Gulf Coastal Plain aquatic conservation
prioritiespriorities Considering development of data for River Considering development of data for River
Styles Stage 1 analysis of Big Cypress Styles Stage 1 analysis of Big Cypress Bayou watershedBayou watershed
TNC aquatic ecosystems classificationTNC aquatic ecosystems classification Many river characteristics calculated in a GISMany river characteristics calculated in a GIS Consider data’s usefulness for River StylesConsider data’s usefulness for River Styles Consider developing additional data in the data Consider developing additional data in the data
atlas workatlas work
TNC Aquatic Ecosystems TNC Aquatic Ecosystems ClassificationClassification
Mapped in 1:100K Mapped in 1:100K National National Hydrography Hydrography DatasetDataset
Variables: Variables: Watershed areaWatershed area GradientGradient Contributing area Contributing area
geologygeology Longitudinal Longitudinal
connectivityconnectivity
River Styles for Big Cypress River Styles for Big Cypress Watershed?Watershed?
Undertake a River Styles analysis for Big Cypress Undertake a River Styles analysis for Big Cypress Bayou watershed?Bayou watershed? Value added?Value added? Relationship to other studies (e.g., channel cross-Relationship to other studies (e.g., channel cross-
sections)?sections)? Relationship to characterization, classification of Relationship to characterization, classification of
hydrologic regimehydrologic regime What are the most important aspects of river What are the most important aspects of river
characteristics in the area that would need to be characteristics in the area that would need to be included in the development of River Styles here?included in the development of River Styles here? Watershed characteristics?Watershed characteristics? Landscape, geomorphic unit characteristics?Landscape, geomorphic unit characteristics?
What data are needed?What data are needed? Is TNC’s data useful? What else needed?Is TNC’s data useful? What else needed? Limitation of geomorphology expertiseLimitation of geomorphology expertise
River Styles: Australian ExampleWatershed Namoi River Basin, New South Wales
Kilometers0 10050 7525
Lower Namoi Sub-basin
Middle Namoi Sub-basin
Mooki Sub-basin
Peel Sub-basin
Macdonald/ManillaSub-basin
River Styles: Australian ExampleWatershed
LandscapeUnit
Namoi River Basin, New South Wales
Kilometers0 1005025
Legend – Landscape Units
Rugged metasediments
Rugged volcanics
Uplands
Pillaga outwash
Pillaga
Mid to lower Peel
Lowland plains
Liverpool plains
Channel and Valley Width
Channel Slope
Valley Cross Section
Planform
Uplands Escarpment Base of the Escarpment Rounded Foothills Lowland Plain
LandscapeUnit
River StyleHead-water
GorgeFan
Cut & Fill (Incised)
Cut & Fill (Intact)
Vertically Accreated Floodplain
ThroughputFloodout
Transfer
Floodplain Accumulation
River Styles: Australian ExampleWatershed
LandscapeUnit
River Style
Kilometers0 5025
Middle NamoiSub-basin
GeomorphicUnit
HydraulicUnit Microhabitat
Riffle
Floodplain
Run
Pool
Bar
Secondary Channel
Pool
BackwaterTrailing
Vegetation
Submerged Macrophyte
Cobbles
Large Woody Debris
BouldersSand
Leaf Pack
Rippled flow on cobbles
Smooth surface flow on cobbles
Smooth surface flow on cobbles/sand
Barely perceptible flow on sand/boulders
Barely perceptible flow on sand