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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Oxford, Mississippi » National Sedimentation Laboratory » Watershed Physical Processes Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #161492
Title: SUSPENDED-SEDIMENT TRANSPORT AND BED-MATERIAL CHARACTERISTICS OF SHADES CREEK, ALABAMA AND ECOREGION 67: DEVELOPING WATER-QUALITY CRITERIA FOR SUSPENDED AND BED-MATERIAL SEDIMENT

Author
item Simon, Andrew
item Langendoen, Eddy
item Bingner, Ronald - Ron
item WELLS, ROBERT - UNIV OF MISSISSIPPI
item YUAN, YONGPING - UNIV OF MISSISSIPPI
item Alonso, Carlos

Submitted to: Laboratory Publication
Publication Type: Government Publication
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/20/2004
Publication Date: 2/20/2004
Citation: Simon, A., Langendoen, E.J., Bingner, R.L., Wells, R., Yuan, Y., Alonso, C.V. 2004. Suspended-sediment transport and bed-material characteristics of Shades Creek, Alabama and ecoregion 67: developing water-quality criteria for suspended and bed-material sediment. USDA-ARS National Sedimentation Laboratory Research Report. No. 43. 138 pp.

Interpretive Summary: A study of the movement of sediment in Shades Creek, Alabama was conducted to determine if sediment loads were greater than median regional values. Combinations of field study and numerical simulations were used to compare sediment loads currently being transported in Shades Creek with those being transported by stable streams in the Ridge and Valley Ecoregion. Results showed that Shades Creek is moderately disturbed and that streambanks were the major source of sediment. Sediment loads in Shades Creek calculated from measured data and those simulated with numerical models both exceed those from stable streams in the Ridge and Valley.

Technical Abstract: Combinations of field-based geomorphic assessments and sampling, analysis of historical flow and sediment-transport data and numerical simulation of upland and channel processes have been used to quantify 'reference' and actual, sediment transport and bed-material characteristics in the Shades Creek Watershed, Alabama. Quantifiable 'reference' conditions for suspended-sediment transport were developed using a technique documented in other ecoregions of the United States (Simon et al., 2003). This procedure entailed quantifying rates of suspended-sediment transport for stable ('reference') and unstable streams throughout the ecoregion (Ridge and Valley) that encompasses the Shades Creek Watershed. Transport rates from stable sites in the Ridge and Valley were determined by conducting Rapid Geomorphic Assessments (RGAs) and identifying the stage of channel evolution. A similar technique was used to develop 'reference' conditions for bed material. The watershed model AnnAGNPS and the channel-evolution model CONCEPTS were used in this study to determine the magnitude and relative contributions of sediment emanating from the land surface and from channel sources. Streambanks are the greatest source of sediments to suspended load. Geomorphic and numerical-simulation analyses have shown that suspended-sediment loads are greater than 'reference' loads calculated with historical data from the Ridge and Valley ecoregion.