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Explore the management of the San Diego River through history, significant floods, and the impact of urban development on flooding. Learn about the river's meandering forms, flood magnitude, and the effects of dams and regulating the floodplain.
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ENVI 485 02/20/07 • STEAMS AND FLOODING (cont.) • MASS WASTING
San Diego River • 1852 - Since San Diego Bay was a deeper harbor, and the San Diego River carried heavy silt deposits, it was decided to deflect the San Diego River into False Bay (Mission Bay) • The project was completed in two years by Indian laborers who reportedly hauled building materials in baskets. The Darby dike washed out one year after its completion and the San Diego River returned to its old course.
San Diego River • 1862 – Possibly the largest flood in the history of the San Diego River occurred (almost 100,000 cfs). • 1875- New dike constructed (cobblestone face two to three feet thick). A small channel was constructed on the north side of the dike that the river was diverted into the eastern part of Mission Bay.
1927 Flood • Photo taken on February 2, 1927 shows the Old Town railroad bridge washed out by the flood. This rail right-of-way still exists - you can see it looking east from I-5; Friars Rd. runs underneath it.
Rainiest years in San Diego history • 1. 1883-84 25.97 • 2. 1940-41 24.74 • 3. 1977-78 18.71 • 4. 1921-22 18.65 • 5. 2004-05 22.81
Koyakuk River, Alaska, showing meander bends, point bar, and cut bank
Braided channels in Granada, southern Spain with multiple channels, steep gradient, and coarse gravel
Floods In The US
Flood magnitude • Recurrence interval • Discharge (Q) on a stream is measured over a period of time (N) • Each flood is ranked (highest discharge = 1) (M) • Recurrence interval: (N + 1)/M • Probability of a flood of a given magnitude in a year is 1/recurrence interval
Urban development and flooding • Flooding usually increased by urban development • Affected by impervious cover • Storm sewers • More water reaches stream • Water reaches stream faster • Affects the relationship between rainfall-runoff • Reduced lag time = “flashy discharge”
Smaller floods are more affected by urbanization than larger floods
Regulation of the Floodplain • Floodplain belongs to the river system and the river WILL reoccupy it. • Flood hazard mapping • Floodway & floodway fringe district • Area of the floodplain covered by a 100 year flood • O.k. for some uses
07_28a Urban stream restoration by controlling erosion and deposition