Spatially referenced statistical assessment of dissolved-solids load sources and transport in streams of the Upper Colorado River Basin

Kenney, Terry A.; Gerner, Steven J.; Buto, Susan G.; Spangler, Lawrence E.

doi:10.3133/sir20095007

Cited by 26 publications

(50 citation statements)

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“…Damages within the United States from dissolved solids in the Colorado River have been estimated to $295 million per year (Bureau of Reclamation, ). Salinity‐control efforts have largely focused on reducing anthropogenic sources of dissolved‐solids especially irrigation of agricultural lands while nearly half of the salinity concentration in the river system comes from natural sources (saline springs, erosion of saline geologic formations and runoff) (Kenney et al, ). This suggests a significant potential to further reduce dissolved‐solids loading to the Colorado River through land‐ and water‐management activities on natural rangelands.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Insight into sediment transport processes on saline rangeland hillslopes using three‐dimensional soil microtopography changes

Nouwakpo

Weltz

McGwire

et al. 2016

Earth Surf Processes Landf

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In arid and semi-arid rangeland environments, an accurate understanding of runoff generation and sediment transport processes is key to developing effective management actions and addressing ecosystem response to changes. Yet, many primary processes (namely sheet and splash and concentrated flow erosion, as well as deposition) are still poorly understood due to a historic lack of measurement techniques capable of parsing total soil loss into these primary processes. Current knowledge gaps can be addressed by combining traditional erosion and runoff measurement techniques with image-based three-dimensional (3D) soil surface reconstructions. In this study, data (hydrology, erosion and high-resolution surface microtopography changes) from rainfall simulation experiments on 24 plots in saline rangelands communities of the Upper Colorado River Basin were used to improve understanding on various sediment transport processes. A series of surface change metrics were developed to quantify and characterize various erosion and transport processes (e.g. plot-wide versus concentrated flow detachment and deposition) and were related to hydrology and biotic and abiotic land surface characteristics. In general, erosivity controlled detachment and transport processes while factors modulating surface roughness such as vegetation controlled deposition. The extent of the channel network was a positive function of slope, discharge and vegetation. Vegetation may deflect runoff in many flow paths but promoted deposition. From a management perspective, this study suggests that effective runoff soil and salt load reduction strategies should aim to promote deposition of transported sediments rather than reducing detachment which might not be feasible in these resource-limited environments. Figure 3. Example of 5 mm resolution digital elevation models (DEMs) representing soil microtopography reconstructed pre-and post-rainfall. [Colour figure can be viewed at wileyonlinelibrary.com] 684S. NOUWAKPO ET AL.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Insight into sediment transport processes on saline rangeland hillslopes using three‐dimensional soil microtopography changes

Nouwakpo

Weltz

McGwire

et al. 2016

Earth Surf Processes Landf

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“…Due to a variety of causes, high concentrations of dissolved solids (salinity) in the Colorado River and its tributaries threaten the usability of this important water source and cause estimated annual economic damages upward of $300 million per year (U.S. Bureau of USDOI‐BOR, ). While saline soils and geologic units in the basin are a natural source of salinity within the watershed (Anning et al, ;Mueller & Osen, ; Spahr, ), studies have indicated that 30‐45% of dissolved solid loads of the Upper Colorado River Basin (UCRB) originate from irrigated agricultural lands, which occupy less than 2% of the area of the basin (Kenney et al, ; Miller et al, ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Salinity Yield Modeling of the Upper Colorado River Basin Using 30‐m Resolution Soil Maps and Random Forests

Nauman

Ely

Miller

et al. 2019

Water Resources Research

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Salinity loading in the Upper Colorado River Basin (UCRB) costs local economies upward of $300 million U.S. dollars annually. Salinity source models have generally included coarse spatial data to represent nonagriculture sources. We developed new predictive soil property and cover maps at 30-m resolution to improve source representation in salinity modeling. Salinity loading erosion risk indices were also created based on soil properties, remotely sensed bare ground exposure, and topographic factors to examine potential surface soil erosion drivers. These new maps and data from previous SPARROW models were related to recently updated records of salinity at 309 stream gauges in the UCRB using random forest regressions. Resulting salinity yield predictions indicate more diffuse salinity sources, with slightly higher yields in more arid portions of the UCRB, and less overall load coming from irrigated agricultural sources. Model simulations still indicate irrigation to be the major human source of salinity (661,000 Mg or 12%) and also suggest that 75,000 Mg (1.4%) of annual salinity in the UCRB is coming from areas with excessive exposed bare ground in high-elevation mountain areas. Model inputs allow for field-scale screening of locations that could be targeted for salinity control projects. Results confirm recent studies indicating limited surface erosional influence on salinity loading in UCRB surface waters, but impacts of monsoonal runoff events are still not fully understood, particularly in drylands. The study highlights the utility of new predictive soil maps and machine learning for environmental modeling.

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“…The salinity-control effort has largely focused on reducing dissolved-solids loading from irrigated lands (Bureau of Reclamation, 2011). About 55% of the TDS comes from natural, non-irrigated sources on rangelands (Kenney et al, 2009). This suggests there is significant potential to further reduce dissolved-solids loading to the Colorado River through land-and water-management activities on rangelands.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Experimental investigation of the effect of vegetation on soil, sediment erosion, and salt transport processes in the Upper Colorado River Basin Mancos Shale formation, Price, Utah, USA

Cadaret

Nouwakpo

McGwire

et al. 2016

CATENA

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Because of concerns about salinity in the Colorado River, this study focused on saline and sodic soils associated with the Mancos Shale formation with the objective of investigating mechanisms driving sediment yield and salinity loads and the role of vegetation in altering soil chemistry in the Price-San Rafael River Basin. Rainfall simulations using a Walnut Gulch rainfall simulator were performed at two study sites (Ferron and Price, Utah) across a range of slope angles and rainfall intensities to evaluate the relationship between sediment yield, salinity transport processes, and rainfall-induced changes in soil chemistry. Soil at Ferron had substantially greater salinity than Price as expressed in evaluated sodium absorption ratio, cation exchange capacity in soil, sediment, and total dissolved solids (TDS) in runoff. Principal component analysis and t-tests revealed that the two sites have different runoff and soil chemistry ions. Greater concentrations of K + , NO3-, and Clwere present in soil-undervegetation microsites compared to interspace soil areas. Soil soluble phase ions generally increased with depth and underwent vertical fluxes at rates proportional to rainfall intensity. Vegetation appears to have a protective effect on the soils from increasing rainfall intensity. Mat-forming saltbush found at Ferron was related most strongly to soil protection. The dissolution of sediment particles in runoff may be a key component of salinity transport processes on the Mancos Shale. Plot-averaged sediment and TDS had a positive linear relationship. The Rangeland Hydrology and Erosion Model successfully predicted TDS in runoff derived from these upland rangelands in central Utah.

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Spatially referenced statistical assessment of dissolved-solids load sources and transport in streams of the Upper Colorado River Basin

Cited by 26 publications

References 0 publications

Insight into sediment transport processes on saline rangeland hillslopes using three‐dimensional soil microtopography changes

Insight into sediment transport processes on saline rangeland hillslopes using three‐dimensional soil microtopography changes

Salinity Yield Modeling of the Upper Colorado River Basin Using 30‐m Resolution Soil Maps and Random Forests

Experimental investigation of the effect of vegetation on soil, sediment erosion, and salt transport processes in the Upper Colorado River Basin Mancos Shale formation, Price, Utah, USA

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