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Research Project: Understanding Water-Driven Ecohydrologic and Erosion Processes in the Semiarid Southwest to Improve Watershed Management

Location: Southwest Watershed Research Center

Title: Influence of site and check dam characteristics on sediment retention and structure conservation in a Mexican river

Author
item LUCAS-BORJA, M.E. - University Of Spain
item ZEMA, D. - University Of Reggio Calabria
item YU, Y. - China Institute Of Water Resources
item Nichols, Mary
item BOMBINO, G. - University Of Reggio Calabria
item DENISI, G. - University Of Reggio Calabria
item DENISI, P. - University Of Reggio Calabria
item LABATE, A. - University Of Reggio Calabria
item CARRÀ, B. - University Of Reggio Calabria
item XIANGZHOU, X. - Dalian University Of Technology
item RODRIGUES, B. - University Of Arizona
item CERDÁ, A. - University Of Valencia
item ZIMBONE, S. - University Of Reggio Calabria

Submitted to: Ecohydrology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/30/2019
Publication Date: 1/3/2020
Citation: Lucas-Borja, M., Zema, D., Yu, Y., Nichols, M.H., Bombino, G., Denisi, G., Denisi, P., Labate, A., Carrà, B., Xiangzhou, X., Rodrigues, B., Cerdá, A., Zimbone, S. 2020. Influence of site and check dam characteristics on sediment retention and structure conservation in a Mexican river. In: Innovative Biosystems Engineering for Sustainable Agriculture, Forestry and Food Production. Coppola, A., Di Renzo, G.C., Altieri,G., D'Antonio, P. Springer International Publishing.

Interpretive Summary: Across the globe, check dams are used for soil conservation and watershed erosion control. However, many check dams fail. This study was conducted to better understand the conditions under which check dams fail and the characteristics of sites where check dams do not fail. Channel geometry, check dam size, and stream hydrology, as well as sediment retention capacity and the structural conditions of more than 200 check dams recently installed in a large river of Mexico were evaluated. We found that check dam construction technique and vegetation cover significantly influence both check dam condition and sediment retention capacity. In addition, soil may play an important role in check dam functioning and degree of sediment retention. Land use and check dam location were found to have a less influence on check dam condition and sediment retention capacity. This research provides land managers new insight into the use of check dams in watershed conservation projects.

Technical Abstract: This study presents a comprehensive evaluation of the influence of channel geometry, check dam size, and stream hydrology, as well as site or check dam characteristics including sediment retention capacity and structural conditions of more than 200 check dams recently installed in a large river of Mexico. Analysis was completed using a combination of statistical multivariate techniques (analysis of variance (ANOVA) and principal component analysis (PCA)). ANOVA has shown that (i) only check dam material and vegetation cover of the contributing sub-watershed significantly influence check dam conditions and sediment retention capacity, respectively, and (ii) soil characteristics may play an important role in these check dam characteristics. Conversely, other variables, such as land use and longitudinal slopes of the drained sub-watersheds as well as check dam location have less influence on check dam sediment storage. PCA has provided two derivative variables related to channel dimensions and vegetation cover, thus demonstrating the influence of these watershed features on sediment retention behind check dams.