Abstract
Through application of strict site-selection criteria, multiple fine-sediment measures, and an intensive sampling scheme, this study found that channels downstream of diversions contained significantly more fine sediment and slow-flowing habitat as compared to upstream control reaches. Susceptibility to fine-sediment accumulation was associated with decreasing basin size, decreasing bankfull depth and smaller d84, and it appears to be magnified in streams of less than 3% slope
| Original language | Undefined |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 388-401 |
| Number of pages | 14 |
| Journal | River Research and Applications |
| Volume | 27 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 2011 |
Cite this
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Downstream effects of diversion dams on sediment and hydraulic conditions of Rocky Mountain streams. / Baker, D.W.; Bledsoe, B.P.; Albano, C.M.; POFF, LeRoy.
In: River Research and Applications, Vol. 27, No. 3, 2011, p. 388-401.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
TY - JOUR
T1 - Downstream effects of diversion dams on sediment and hydraulic conditions of Rocky Mountain streams
AU - Baker, D.W.
AU - Bledsoe, B.P.
AU - Albano, C.M.
AU - POFF, LeRoy
N1 - cited By 30
PY - 2011
Y1 - 2011
N2 - Reduced streamflow via flow diversion has the potential to limit the sediment-transport capacity of downstream channels and lead to accumulation of fine sediments and habitat degradation. To investigate, we examined the effects of variable levels of flow diversion on fine-sediment deposition, hydraulic conditions and geomorphic alteration. Our study consisted of a detailed field analysis pairing reaches above and below diversion dams on 13 mountain streams in north-central Colorado and southern Wyoming USA. Diversions are ubiquitous across the American West, yet previous comparative studies on the effects of flow diversion have yielded mixed results.Through application of strict site-selection criteria, multiple fine-sediment measures, and an intensive sampling scheme, this study found that channels downstream of diversions contained significantly more fine sediment and slow-flowing habitat as compared to upstream control reaches. Susceptibility to fine-sediment accumulation was associated with decreasing basin size, decreasing bankfull depth and smaller d84, and it appears to be magnified in streams of less than 3% slope
AB - Reduced streamflow via flow diversion has the potential to limit the sediment-transport capacity of downstream channels and lead to accumulation of fine sediments and habitat degradation. To investigate, we examined the effects of variable levels of flow diversion on fine-sediment deposition, hydraulic conditions and geomorphic alteration. Our study consisted of a detailed field analysis pairing reaches above and below diversion dams on 13 mountain streams in north-central Colorado and southern Wyoming USA. Diversions are ubiquitous across the American West, yet previous comparative studies on the effects of flow diversion have yielded mixed results.Through application of strict site-selection criteria, multiple fine-sediment measures, and an intensive sampling scheme, this study found that channels downstream of diversions contained significantly more fine sediment and slow-flowing habitat as compared to upstream control reaches. Susceptibility to fine-sediment accumulation was associated with decreasing basin size, decreasing bankfull depth and smaller d84, and it appears to be magnified in streams of less than 3% slope
U2 - 10.1002/rra.1376
DO - 10.1002/rra.1376
M3 - Article
VL - 27
SP - 388
EP - 401
JO - River Research and Applications
JF - River Research and Applications
SN - 0886-9375
IS - 3
ER -