Study Number: 

3068

Project Title:

Geomorphic Analysis of Stream Channels.

Investigator(s):

David Leigh  E-Mail | Tel. 706.542.2346 | Fax. 706.542.2388 | Biographical Sketch
Affiliated Institution(s): University of Georgia
Address: Geography Department
 Room 204
University of Georgia
Athens, Georgia 30602-2502
Study Type: Aquatic
Project Type: Type 1
Study Period:

November 2005 to December 2007
Status/Notes:

 
Funding Sources:

U.S. Forestry Service and National Science Foundation Grants DEB-9632854 (Text Version) and DEB-0218001 (Text Version) to Coweeta LTER.
Abstract: The primary objective is to characterize the morphology of stream channels of various sizes within a variety of watersheds in order to understand the frequency of over-bank flooding and rates of lateral migration and bank erosion. This characterization will provide the basic data needed to model the relative roles of stream channels and floodplains as sinks (via floodplain sedimentation) and sources (via bank erosion) in an overall sediment budget. Sampling methods are nondestructive and involve measurements of physical features in the stream channel.
Location(s), Described: see map and UTM (NAD83) coordinates below.
Location(s):
Elevation
Decimal Degrees
UTM, Zone 17, NAD83		 The following proposed survey sites are noted as UTM coordinates (NAD83, zone 17) for the downstream end of steam survey sites. If these sites are near a weir, then the site will be moved a short distance up or downstream of the weir. Stream surveys will be conducted for a stream length of 30x the average stream width (about 30 to 120 m long)
 
SITE_# EAST  NORTH
1 275258 3882196
2 275634 3882591
3 275812 3882499
4 275865 3882420
5 276168 3882618
6 276307 3882433
7 276517 3882044
8 276669 3883126
9 276795 3882526
10 276847 3882143
11 276814 3883178
12 276992 3882677
13 277414 3882961
14 277467 3882737
15 277784 3882868
16 278008 3882816
17 278108 3882304
18 278405 3882414
19 278572 3882653
20 278676 3882401
21 275663 3879950
22 275818 3880266
23 276231 3880608
24 276385 3880343
25 276747 3880562
26 276985 3880808
27 277160 3880756
28 277656 3881240
29 278237 3881743
30 278237 3881969
Location(s), Download GPS: ArcView Shape Files (shp.):  Decimal Degrees  |  UTM, NAD83, Zone 17
 
Location(s), Online Maps: Online Map
Methods/Experimental Design: The following data will be collected in sample reaches that are 30 times as long as the average stream width at the site. 1. The longitudinal gradient as represented by the slope fitted to the tops of riffles will be measured with an electronic total station or laser level. 2. Systematic measurements of channel width, bank height, bank slope, and bank vegetative condition along the reach will be made using tape measures and categorical observations of bank slope and vegetative conditions (15 subsegments making n=30 bank observations). 3. The lateral extent of geomorphic surfaces (floodplain or terrace) from the bank will be surveyed by marking points with a global positioning system or by tape measurements made along rays perpendicular to the bank. 4. At least two channel cross-sections will be surveyed with a total station or laser level. 5. Rapid assessment of the average bed texture and baseflow water depths along the reach will be made by walking the centerline of the stream and recording sediment texture and depth at regular intervals. 6. At a few selected sites that appear to be representative of groups of sites some additional techniques will be applied to develop better temporal and spatial characterization of fluvial system, including: a. estimates of decadal to centennial average floodplain sedimentation rates will be obtained by digging down to root crowns on trees of known ages obtained by increment-borer ring counts (dendrogeomorphology) and measuring the sediment that has accumulated during the period of tree growth. b. placement of astro-turf sheets in overbank environments to trap overbank sediment and quantify real-time accretion rates; or use of marker beds such as white feldspar to mark the ground surface and subsequent accretion of sediment c. placement of erosion pins on representative types of stream bank categories to obtain annual bank erosion rates.
Sampling Frequency: Not Predictable.
Data Columns: Not applicable. No data has been submitted by researchers.
Publications: Harrelson, C. C.,  C. L. Rawlins, and J. P. Potyondy. 1994. Stream Channel Reference Sites: An Illustrated Guide to Field Technique. USDA Forest Service General Technical Report RM-245, Fort Collins, Colorado, 61 pp.

Fitzpatrick, F. A., I. R. Waite, P. J.  D'Arconte, M. R. Meador, M. A. Maupin, and M. E. Gurtz. 1998. Revised Methods for Characterizing Stream Habitat in the National Water-Quality Assessment Program. U. S. Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations Report 98-4052. Raleigh, North Carolina.
Data Restrictions: Users must adhere to the Coweeta LTER Data Policy.
Metadata: EML Format (XML Schema) | Information about EML
Data Downloads: No data have been submitted by researchers.