Shoreline Erosion Processes: Orwell Lake, Minnesota.
Abstract
Orwell Lake, in west-central Minnesota, is a flood-control, water-management reservoir first impounded in 1953. Subsequent erosion of the shoreline and a lack of knowledge of slope erosion processes in this region prompted this study to identify and quantify the processes there. The processes were measured at selected sites between June 1980 and June 1983. Erosion of the banks is primarily caused by three processes: rain, frost thaw, and waves. The first two processes tend to move sediment to the base of the steep slopes, forming a relatively gentle surface of accumulation. Wave action then tends to move this sediment into the lake. Analysis of the data collected over three years has confirmed that wave action is the dominant erosion process, providing almost 77% of the erosion during the 1981-82 study year. During the 1981 high pool level, 2,089 Mg of sediment, mostly colluvium, was removed from the lower slopes by wave action striking the 1.62 km of eroding shoreline. More than 4,300 Mg was eroded by waves accompanying the higher pool levels of 1982.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 1984
- Accession Number
- ADA152952
Entities
People
- J. R. Reid
Organizations
- Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory