Understanding Sediment Sources, Pathways and Sinks in Regional Sediment Management: Wash Load and Bed-Material Load Concept
Abstract
As water resource projects become more and more complex, there is a growing emphasis on the ability to implement effective regional sediment management. A common goal of many regional sediment management (RSM) projects is the reduction of sediment loading from the watershed. This is usually accomplished by rehabilitation features such as grade control, bank stabilization, drop pipes, and land treatments. While these features are often implemented with the stated purpose of reducing sediment yields to downstream reservoirs, flood-control channels, or wetlands, the spatial and temporal impacts of these features with respect to downstream sediment loads are far from straightforward, and often result in unanticipated morphologic adjustments and degradation of riverine habitats and ecosystems. Effective regional sediment management lies in identifying the sediment sources and sediment sinks in the watershed sediment system and understanding the processes responsible for transferring sediment along the pathways that link sediment sources and sinks at the reach and catchment scales. This technical note describes how the concepts of wash load and bed-material load can be used to document the transfer of sediment from its source, through its pathways, to its ultimate sinks, thereby, serving as the foundation for effective regional sediment management.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 2006
- Accession Number
- ADA444955
Entities
People
- Chester C. Watson
- Colin R. Thorne
- David S. Biedenharn
- Lisa C. Hubbard
Organizations
- Engineer Research and Development Center