See more from this Division: General Discipline Sessions
See more from this Session: Hydrogeology I - Precipitation, Lakes, Streams, Springs and Wetlands
Abstract:
We conducted a channel stability assessment and used repeat ground photography to evaluate the condition of restored and present natural reaches of Waller Creek and Tannehill Branch. The natural reaches served as ergodic surrogates for temporal channel development of the restored reaches. Variables of channel morphology analyzed included riparian vegetation cover, vertical stability, scour/deposition potential, and bed sediment composition. From our analysis, restoration enlarged stream channels, decreased bank height ratios and reduced flood prone width. Bed sediment analysis suggested that pools contain a higher percentage of fines whereas riffles sediments are coarser in restored reaches than pre-restoration reaches. Visual examination of ground photographs and the Pfankuch channel stability evaluation indicate that restoration increased vegetative cover and deposition. Thus, restoration efforts had a positive impact on these two streams. Data from channel stability assessments provide the basis upon which longer-term monitoring and evaluation can be conducted. Knowledge gained from long-term monitoring is important for improving the effectiveness of current and future restoration projects.
See more from this Division: General Discipline Sessions
See more from this Session: Hydrogeology I - Precipitation, Lakes, Streams, Springs and Wetlands