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Stream Geomorphology
Leslie A. Morrissey UVMJuly 25, 2012
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• Flood mitigation• Water supply• Water quality• Sediment storage and transport• Habitat• Recreation• Transportation• Aesthetic qualities
What Functions do Healthy Streams Provide?
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When streams go wild
In Vermont, most flood damage is caused by fluvial erosion
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• Transportation• Power• Agriculture
History of River Management
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Traditional River Management
Goal - contain flow within straight channel Stream channels were:
• dredged • bermed • armored
to withstand the increased stream power
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Disaster Can Result
Energy kept in the channel during flooding can cause catastrophic damages downstream
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Streams are Indicative of Watershed Condition
Precipitation
Runoff
A change in the watershed will impact the stream network
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Disturbance-induced changes in stream
structure and function
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Fluvial Geomorphology
Influenced by: Watershed area Land use and land cover Soils and geology Topography Climate Human impacts
Channel characteristics (e.g., sinuosity, width, depth) are determined by stream discharge and sediment
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Streams Adjust to Changing Conditions
Stream Corridor Restoration: Principles, Processes, and Practices. 1998. Federal Interagency Stream Restoration Working Group.
1. Lateral 2. Vertical3. Longitudinal 4. Temporal
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Lateral Channel Migration
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Vertical Movement of Stream Channel
1992 - 2007
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Stream Corridor Longitudinal Profile(dominated by slope)
Miller, 1990
HeadwatersTransfer zone
Deposition zone
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Channelized reach along toe of valley wall (today)
Approximate location of 1900 channel
Lewis Creek
Temporal Changes in Stream Channel
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Thalweg
Left Bank Right Bank
Downstream
Terrace
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Stream Channel Patterns
Straight channels →• indicative of strong geologic structure
(bedrock) or human control Braided streams ↘
• multiple interwoven channels Meandering channels ↓
• highly variable, sinuous
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Meander Pattern
Floodplain
Tributary
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Pool and Riffle Sequence
Pool
Riffle
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Water is the Driver
Runoff
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Q = v x A = Discharge (cfs)v = Velocity (ft/s)A = Cross-Section Area (ft2)
Velocity vs.
Discharge
Stream Corridor Restoration: Principles, Processes, and Practices. 1998. Federal Interagency Stream Restoration Working Group
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Faster flow -> erosion
Slower flow -> deposition
Velocity affects erosion and deposition
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Shaping and Reshaping of Channels
As gradient (slope) decreases, stream flow meanders -> lateral erosion Since flow is faster around the outside of a bend, meanders shift sideways
by eroding their outer bank Since flow is slower on the inner bank, sediment is deposited
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Channel Migration Process (Planform Change)
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Flow velocity
Particle size on stream bottom
Discharge
Water and SedimentConnection
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HeadwatersTransfer zone
Deposition zone
Longitudinal Summary
High elevationSteep slopesV-shaped valleysNarrow channelsHigh velocityErosion (vertical)
Flat, broad floodplainLow slopesMeandering channelsLateral erosionHigh dischargeDeposition dominates
Gentle slopesStreams mergeChannels begin to meanderFloodplain broadensChannels widenErosion and deposition
Miller, 1990
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Lane (1955)
Stream PowerSediment Load
The amount of sediment and the size of the sediment particles that can be transported in a stream are directly related to the gradient (slope) of the stream channel and amount of water flowing in the stream channel at a particular time.
A stable stream transports the water and sediment produced by its watershed, such that over time it maintains its dimension, pattern, and profile, while neither degrading nor aggrading. However, if any factor changes, the other variables must change to reach a new equilibrium.
In balance with
Dynamic Equilibrium
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AggradationDegradation
Sediment Supply(Volume)
Storm > ↑ Discharge >>> Degradation
Discharge
Stream PowerStream Slope Flat Steep
Sediment LoadSediment SizeCoarse Fine
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AggradationDegradation
Sediment Supply(Volume)
Discharge
Waterfall > ↑ Slope >>> Degradation
Stream Power
Sediment Load
Stream Slope Flat Steep
Sediment SizeCoarse Fine
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AggradationDegradation
Stream Power
Stream Slope
Flat
Steep
Sediment Load
Sediment Size
Coarse
Fine
Sediment Supply(Volume)
Discharge
Road construction > ↑ Sediment Supply >>> AggradationRoad Construction(assume no change in stream power)
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AggradationDegradation
Sediment Supply(Volume)
Discharge
Stream PowerStream Slope Flat Steep
Sediment LoadSediment SizeCoarse Fine
Upstream Dam > ↓ Sediment Supply >>> DegradationUpstream Dam
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Out of Balance
• When a stream is unstable, i.e. out of balance, it is either aggrading (gaining sediment along its bed and banks) or it is degrading (deepening or widening due to the removal of sediment)
Unvegetated Point Bars(aggradation)
Cut banks(degradation)
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What Can Change Streamflow?(Dynamic equilibrium)
Vegetative ClearingChannelizationStreambank armoringDevelopment Bare soil
Irrigation or drainageOvergrazingRoads and railroadsDamsWater withdrawal
Storms
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CulvertsAgricultural ditches
Channel straighteningRerouting
Examples
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Constrictions
Stream crossings • roads• railroads• bridges
Road culvertsChannelizationDamsBedrock
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What’s going on here?
< Bedrock control
< Alluvium
Elevation (m)
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Storm events can trigger catastrophic floods
• Baseflow - sustained amount of flow in a stream when no precipitation event has occurred
• Peak discharge - stream flow attributed to a precipitation event
Climate change implications?
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Causes of bank erosion– Lack of riparian buffers– Channelization– Dams– Overgrazing– Commercial dredging – Piped discharge
• (culverts, ditches)– Development
• Impervious surfaces
Greater runoff and higher in-stream velocities contribute to streambank erosion
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Sediment in Streams and Rivers
• Leading non-point source of pollution• Largest source of impairment to
streams and rivers worldwide (EPA) • Decreased water quality• Negatively impacts habitat health
Colchester Point
Tropical storm Irene(02 September 2011)
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Bank Protection
cedar trees
rock rip-rap (armoring)
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Armoring moves the problem downstream…
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Development increases runoff
↑ Impervious surfaces↓ Riparian buffers↑ Stormwater inputs↑ Peak discharge (flooding)↑ Sediment loading
01020304050
Stre
am F
low
(cfs
)
Time
Post development
Pre development
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1. Photointerpret stream features along Browns River• Stream features • erosion • deposition
• Channel modifications • straightening, armoring, ditches, dams
• Channel adjustments
Google Earth Activity