Using high-resolution bedload transport tracer measurements to investigate the characteristics of bedload transport over a large urban flood event

Abstract

Channel morphological change is often evaluated by employing sediment transport models since field data during high magnitude low frequency events is rarely available. However, sediment transport rate estimates are heuristic at best to within 1 - 3 orders of magnitude. Mimico Creek is an urban gravel-bed channel in Southern Ontario, Canada that has undergone intensive event-based sediment transport sampling and inter-event bed material particle tracking over a three-year period. A HEC-RAS model was developed of the study reach and calibrated to a series of discharge events where in-situ bedload sampling occurred. Both step-wise discharge and unsteady flow simulations were evaluated to compare sediment transport rates for a range of transport models which included the Meyer-Peter Müller and the Wilcock-Crowe. Calibration curves were developed to estimate sediment discharge in Mimico Creek. The results of the calibrated model were used to calculate the mean travel distance of bed material using the expression for the volumetric rate of bed material transport. Results from the modelling exercise found mean travel distances were similar and in some cases larger than those observed from field measurements, considering both mobile and immobile particles.