Environmental Effects of Dredging. The Value of Gravel Disposal Mounds in River Side Channels for Freshwater Mussels.
Abstract
This note provides information on the value of gravel disposal mounds in river side channels for freshwater mussels. Basic guidelines are suggested from this information to guide site selection for beneficial disposal of gravel. Gravel shoals occasionally must be dredged from river navigation channels. Side channels (i.e., the channel around islands that does not include the marked navigation lane) have historically been preferred sites for disposal of such dredged material. Multiple disposal events form closely adjacent disposal mounds during each maintenance dredging operation. These coarse-grained sediment mounds in flowing water are potentially valuable habitat for a number of riverine fishes and invertebrates (Miller et al. 1988) including commercially and ecologically valuable as well as some Federally Endangered species of freshwater mussels (Miller et al. 1987, Payne and Miller, in preparation). Many gravel shoals in large inland rivers were destroyed by major alterations of inland rivers, such as dredging and impoundment, to support navigation and other uses of waterways (e.g., Isom 1969). Strategic placement of dredged material can be used to re-create riverine gravel shoals without interfering with other uses of inland waterways.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 01, 1989
- Accession Number
- ADA292682
Entities
People
- Barry S. Payne
- Richard Tippit