Historical and simulated changes in channel characteristics of the Kalamazoo River, Plainwell to Otesgo, Michigan

Abstract

Multiply By To obtain Length mile (mi) 1.609 kilometer (km) foot (ft) 0.3048 meter (m) inch (in.) 25.4 millimeter (mm) Area square mile (mi) 2.590 square kilometer (km 2) square foot (ft 2) 0.09290 square meter (m) Volume cubic yards (yd 3) 0.7646 cubic meter (m 3) Flow cubic foot per second (ft 3 /s) 0.02832 cubic meter per second (m 3 /s) Mass milligram (mg) 0.00003527 ounce, avoirdupois (oz) kilogram (kg) 2.205 pound, avoirdupois (lb) Vertical coordinate information is referenced to the North American Vertical Datum of 1988 (NAVD 88).

Modeling Pre‐ and Post‐Dam Removal Sediment Dynamics: The Kalamazoo River, Michigan1

“…The USGS designed a channel to minimize erosion of PCB‐laden channel sediments after the removal of the Plainwell and Otsego City Dams (Rachol et al. , 2005).…”

“…This simulation does not model a dam breach, only the resulting hydraulic and sediment-transport processes associated with the ''instantaneous'' change resulting from removal of the non-erodible structures. Finally, the design scenario also assumes that the two dams are no longer in place; however, design channel geometry is used instead of the current channel geometry for initial conditions (Rachol et al, 2005).…”

“…For the D scenario, channel geometry, channel location, floodplain area, and channel elevation were modified between the Otsego City Dam (rkm 85.3) and cross-section P15 (rkm 89.0) to minimize potential flooding, erosion, or sedimentation problems (Rachol et al, 2005). Cross-sections in the impounded area upstream of the Plainwell Dam were mainly modified by lowering the channel to its pre-dam elevation and removing impounded sediment to increase floodplain area.…”

“…The USGS designed a channel to minimize erosion of PCB-laden channel sediments after the removal of the Plainwell and Otsego City Dams (Rachol et al, 2005). Figure 4c shows the differences between the current thalweg profile and that of the design channel.…”

“…For the D scenario, channel geometry, channel location, floodplain area, and channel elevation were modified between the Otsego City Dam (rkm 85.3) and cross‐section P15 (rkm 89.0) to minimize potential flooding, erosion, or sedimentation problems (Rachol et al. , 2005).…”