Skip to main content
ARS Home » Southeast Area » Oxford, Mississippi » National Sedimentation Laboratory » Watershed Physical Processes Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #126199
Title: ACOUSTIC IMAGING OF SEDIMENT IMPOUNDED BY A USDA-NRCS FLOOD CONTROL DAM, OKLAHOMA

Author
item DUNBAR, J. - BAYLOR UNIVERSITY
item ALLEN, P. - BAYLOR UNIVERSITY
item Bennett, Sean

Submitted to: Laboratory Publication
Publication Type: Government Publication
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/4/2001
Publication Date: 10/4/2001
Citation: Dunbar, J.A., Allen, P.M., Bennett, S.J. 2001. Acoustic imaging of sediment impounded by a USDA-NRCS flood control dam, Oklahoma. USDA-ARS National Sedimentation Laboratory Research Report. No. 22. 54 pp.

Interpretive Summary: Since 1948, the USDA-NRCS has constructed nearly 11,000 upstream flood control dams in 2000 watersheds in 47 states. Because of population growth, land use changes, and time since construction, sediment pools are filling. Before any rehabilitation strategy can be designed and implemented, the sediment impounded by these dams must be assessed in terms of the structure's efficiency to regulate floodwaters and the potential hazard the sediment may pose if reintroduced into the environment. This report represents the completion of a demonstration project designed to evaluate the application of acoustic technology for the purpose of imaging the sediment impounded by a flood control dam. One field site was chosen for this project. Sugar Creek #12 is located near Hinton, OK, and it is a relatively small lake with a mud bottom and fairly shallow water depths. A subsurface sediment survey was conducted in the reservoir pool using an acoustic profiling system. The acoustic survey successfully identified numerous sediment layers within the subsurface. The location and thickness of the layers agree extremely well with sediment core data previously collected. By combining the acoustic and sediment core data, the distribution of sediment thickness, hence sediment volume, is mapped. This pilot project successfully demonstrated the application of acoustic technology for conducting fast, cost-effective sedimentation surveys within flood control reservoirs. Such technology is urgently needed by the USDA-NRCS.

Technical Abstract: Since 1948, the USDA-NRCS has constructed nearly 11,000 upstream flood control dams in 2000 watersheds in 47 states. Because of population growth, land use changes, and time since construction, sediment pools are filling. Before any rehabilitation strategy can be designed and implemented, the sediment impounded by these dams must be assessed in terms of the structure's efficiency to regulate floodwaters and the potential hazard the sediment may pose if reintroduced into the environment. This report represents the completion of a demonstration project designed to evaluate the application of acoustic technology for the purpose of imaging the sediment impounded by a flood control dam. One field site was chosen for this project. Sugar Creek #12 is located near Hinton, OK, and it is a relatively small lake with a mud bottom and fairly shallow water depths. A subsurface sediment survey was conducted in the reservoir pool using an acoustic profiling system. The acoustic survey successfully identified numerous stratigraphic horizons within the subsurface, which agree extremely well with sediment core data previously collected. By combining the acoustic and sediment core data, the distribution of sediment thickness, hence sediment volume, is mapped.