1 / 17

Streams and Watersheds

Streams and Watersheds. Authors: Gene Surber, MSU Extension Natural Resources Specialist Bob Ehrhart, Research Specialist, RWRP, Univ. of Montana. Introduction. Riparian Areas Uplands Watersheds. Importance of a Watershed. What happens in one part of the watershed – effects other parts

galvin
Download Presentation

Streams and Watersheds

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. Streams and Watersheds Authors: Gene Surber, MSU Extension Natural Resources Specialist Bob Ehrhart, Research Specialist, RWRP, Univ. of Montana

  2. Introduction • Riparian Areas • Uplands • Watersheds

  3. Importance of a Watershed • What happens in one part of the watershed – effects other parts • Riparian areas – links between the uplands and the stream

  4. Stream Classification • 1st order stream • starter stream • 2nd order stream • two or more 1st order • 3rd order stream • two or more 2nd order

  5. Stream Classification, cont. • Perennial streams • Intermittent streams • Ephemeral streams

  6. Stream Classification, cont. • Gaining stream • Losing stream

  7. Stream Classification, cont. • Channel Shape Method (Rosgen Classification) • Slope • Sinuosity • Ratio (width to depth) • Entrenchment • Particle size

  8. Streams Reflect the Landscape • Steep, mountainous channel • Wide floodplain

  9. Stream Mechanics • Stream hydrology • Stream channels – “pipelines” • Average bankfull flow • Stable streams • Water/sediment IN = water/sediment OUT

  10. Stream Mechanics, cont. • “Out of Balance” • Water and sediment load changes

  11. Stream Mechanics, cont. • Energy = Mass x Velocity • Biggest influence on a stream’s energy is speed

  12. Energy • Friction slows water • Sediment is deposited • No vegetation versus vegetated banks

  13. Change is constant • Streams are dynamic • Natural versus man-made causes

  14. Stability • Dynamic  Unstable • Stable streams change, but remain in equilibrium • Unstable streams are “out of balance” • Nature has a different time scale

  15. Stream Instability • Instability: • Change in water flow • Elimination of streambank vegetation • Excessive sediments • 2 types: • Lateral Instability • Vertical Instability

  16. Stream Instability, cont. • Vertical Instability • Downcutting • More difficult to control than lateral cutting • Influences BOTH upstream & downstream

  17. Summary • Where we go from here…

More Related