Application of sediment characteristics and transport conditions to resource management in selected main-stem reaches of the Upper Colorado River, Colorado and Utah, 1965-2007

Williams, Cory A.; Schaffrath, Keelin R.; Elliott, John G.; Richards, Rodney J.

doi:10.3133/sir20125195

“…), suspended sediment concentrations (< 10 / ) and bed sediment diameter ( "# 0.420 ) used in this study are typical for many watercourses [56][57][58] . Both segregated and locked end states appear to occur with frequency in natural watercourses.…”

Section: Implications For Storage and Breakdown Of Natural And Synthetic Particulate Mattermentioning

confidence: 99%

Bedform segregation and locking increase storage of natural and synthetic particles in rivers

Dallmann¹,

Phillips²,

Teitelbaum³

et al. 2022

Preprint

0

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While the ecological significance of hyporheic exchange and fine particle transport in rivers is well established, these processes are generally considered irrelevant to riverbed morphodynamics. We show that coupling between hyporheic exchange, suspended sediment deposition, and sand bedform motion strongly modulates morphodynamics and sorts bed sediments. Hyporheic exchange focuses fine-particle deposition within and below mobile bedforms, which suppresses bed mobility. However, deposited fines are also remobilized by bedform motion, providing a mechanism for segregating coarse and fine particles in the bed. Surprisingly, two distinct end states emerge from the competing interplay of bed stabilization and remobilization: a locked state in which fine particle deposition completely stabilizes the bed, and a dynamic equilibrium in which frequent remobilization sorts the bed and restores mobility. These findings demonstrate the significance of hyporheic exchange to riverbed morphodynamics and clarify how dynamic interactions between coarse and fine particles produce sedimentary patterns commonly found in rivers

show abstract

Bedform segregation and locking increase storage of natural and synthetic particles in rivers

Dallmann

¹

,

Phillips

²

,

Teitelbaum

³

et al. 2021

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

While the ecological significance of hyporheic exchange and fine particle transport in rivers is well established, these processes are generally considered irrelevant to riverbed morphodynamics. We show that coupling between hyporheic exchange, suspended sediment deposition, and sand bedform motion strongly modulates morphodynamics and sorts bed sediments. Hyporheic exchange focuses fine-particle deposition within and below mobile bedforms, which suppresses bed mobility. However, deposited fines are also remobilized by bedform motion, providing a mechanism for segregating coarse and fine particles in the bed. Surprisingly, two distinct end states emerge from the competing interplay of bed stabilization and remobilization: a locked state in which fine particle deposition completely stabilizes the bed, and a dynamic equilibrium in which frequent remobilization sorts the bed and restores mobility. These findings demonstrate the significance of hyporheic exchange to riverbed morphodynamics and clarify how dynamic interactions between coarse and fine particles produce sedimentary patterns commonly found in rivers.

show abstract

The Applicability of Time-Integrated Unit Stream Power for Estimating Bridge Pier Scour Using Noncontact Methods in a Gravel-Bed River

Hempel

¹

,

Malenda²,

Fulton

³

et al. 2022

Remote Sensing

2

0

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In near-field remote sensing, noncontact methods (radars) that measure stage and surface water velocity have the potential to supplement traditional bridge scour monitoring tools because they are safer to access and are less likely to be damaged compared with in-stream sensors. The objective of this study was to evaluate the use of radars for monitoring the hydraulic conditions that contribute to bridge–pier scour in gravel-bed channels. Measurements collected with a radar were also leveraged along with minimal field measurements to evaluate whether time-integrated stream power per unit area (Ω) was correlated with observed scour depth at a scour-critical bridge in Colorado. The results of this study showed that (1) there was close agreement between radar-based and U.S. Geological Survey streamgage-based measurements of stage and discharge, indicating that radars may be viable tools for monitoring flow conditions that lead to bridge pier scour; (2) Ω and pier scour depth were correlated, indicating that radar-derived Ω measurements may be used to estimate scour depth in real time and predict scour depth based on the measured trajectory of Ω. The approach presented in this study is intended to supplement, rather than replace, existing high-fidelity scour monitoring techniques and provide data quickly in information-poor areas.

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Application of sediment characteristics and transport conditions to resource management in selected main-stem reaches of the Upper Colorado River, Colorado and Utah, 1965-2007

Cited by 3 publications

References 26 publications

Bedform segregation and locking increase storage of natural and synthetic particles in rivers

Bedform segregation and locking increase storage of natural and synthetic particles in rivers

Bedform segregation and locking increase storage of natural and synthetic particles in rivers

The Applicability of Time-Integrated Unit Stream Power for Estimating Bridge Pier Scour Using Noncontact Methods in a Gravel-Bed River

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