Soil Properties Important to Stream Development on Mined Lands

Abstract

Fluvial processes and channel development on landscapes have recently received more attention as designers attempt to establish or replace natural streams on disturbed or degraded sites. Several approaches using similar parameters have been developed to evaluate stream development and erosion processes on natural soils and landscapes. Such approaches include the Manning's and stream power equations for stream development, and the Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE) and the Bank Erosion Hazard Index (BEHI) for erosion. Soil properties used in these methods to evaluate erosion potential include texture (clay, silt and sand contents), bulk density, aggregate stability, rock fragments, soil horizons, rooting density and vegetation cover. Soil scientists have developed a well-known descriptive system for identifying and classifying disturbed soils and this information should be used to more fully evaluate the process of channel development on new landscapes. Therefore, the soil properties used in classification can be evaluated in designing channels and streams on disturbed lands, and refinements on interpreting these physical properties in the context of stream design need to be made.