Channel Cross Sections, Characterizing Channel-Bed Sediments and Channel-Bank Material, Preliminary Geotechnical Investigation, Project Site Risk Assessment 7A

Home , Stream bed

Designing for Aquatic Organism Passage at Road-Stream Crossings 7A. Site Assessment: Field Measurements and Interpretations Channel Cross Sections, Characterizing Channel-Bed Sediments and Channel-Bank Material, Preliminary Geotechnical Investigation, Project Site Risk Assessment 7A. Site Assessment: Field Measurements and Interpretations Channel Cross Sections, Channel-Bed Sediments and Channel-Bank Materials, Geotechnical In

vestigation, Risk Assessment Bob Gubernick USDA Forest Service Tongass National Forest

Dan Cenderelli USDA Forest Service Stream Systems Technology Center

April 20097A-1 USDA-FS: Wayne NF, Eastern Region Ohio Department of Transportation Designing for Aquatic Organism Passage at Road-Stream Crossings 7A. Site Assessment: Field Measurements and Interpretations Channel Cross Sections, Characterizing Channel-Bed Sediments and Channel-Bank Material, Preliminary Geotechnical Investigation, Project Site Risk Assessment Acknowledgements

Traci Sylte, P.E. Hydrologist, Lolo NF, Montana 2

April 20097A-2 USDA-FS: Wayne NF, Eastern Region Ohio Department of Transportation Designing for Aquatic Organism Passage at Road-Stream Crossings 7A. Site Assessment: Field Measurements and Interpretations Channel Cross Sections, Characterizing Channel-Bed Sediments and Channel-Bank Material, Preliminary Geotechnical Investigation, Project Site Risk Assessment Stream Simulation Site Assessment Process • Initial Site Assessment • Site Assessment –Site Maps and Channel Planform A Characteristics –Reference Reach –Roadway Considerations –Longitudinal Profile –Channel Cross Sections –Characterizing Channel-Bed Sediments B and Channel-Bank Material –Preliminary Geotechnical Investigation –Project Site Risk Assessment

April 20097A-3 USDA-FS: Wayne NF, Eastern Region Ohio Department of Transportation Designing for Aquatic Organism Passage at Road-Stream Crossings 7A. Site Assessment: Field Measurements and Interpretations Channel Cross Sections, Characterizing Channel-Bed Sediments and Channel-Bank Material, Preliminary Geotechnical Investigation, Project Site Risk Assessment What is the Purpose of a Channel Cross Section? 1) Establishes the natural dimensions of the channel (shape and range) 2) Delineates the width and depth of low flow, the stream bed, bankfull flow, floodplain inundation 3) Determines “reference reach” channel dimensions to be used in the channel-bed design through the structure 4) Identifies the lateral adjustment potential of the channel (channel migration zone). 5) Identifies bank and channel stability 6) Can be used for discharge and hydraulic calculations 4

April 20097A-4 USDA-FS: Wayne NF, Eastern Region Ohio Department of Transportation Designing for Aquatic Organism Passage at Road-Stream Crossings 7A. Site Assessment: Field Measurements and Interpretations Channel Cross Sections, Characterizing Channel-Bed Sediments and Channel-Bank Material, Preliminary Geotechnical Investigation, Project Site Risk Assessment Confined and Unconfined Channels

Confined channels •High energy •Straight, high gradient channels •Minimal floodplain development •Channel migration low •Slope/channel interactions high

Unconfined channels •Medium to low energy •Sinuous, low-gradient channels •Well-developed floodplain •Channel migration high •Slope/channel interactions low

5 From Knighton, 1998

April 20097A-5 USDA-FS: Wayne NF, Eastern Region Ohio Department of Transportation Designing for Aquatic Organism Passage at Road-Stream Crossings 7A. Site Assessment: Field Measurements and Interpretations Channel Cross Sections, Characterizing Channel-Bed Sediments and Channel-Bank Material, Preliminary Geotechnical Investigation, Project Site Risk Assessment Definitions

Bankfull Flow Width (Qbf): In streams with adjustable banks, it is the point at which a stream begins to overtop its banks and begins to spill onto the floodplain. Stream Bed Width (Qbw): The zone of annual scour in the channel. Low Flow Width (Qlf): The wetted width of the channel during drier conditions. Flood Prone Width (Qfp): The flood prone area for flows greater than bankfull.

terrace channel floodplain terrace

Qfp

Q Qbw 6 bf Qlf

April 20097A-6 USDA-FS: Wayne NF, Eastern Region Ohio Department of Transportation Designing for Aquatic Organism Passage at Road-Stream Crossings 7A. Site Assessment: Field Measurements and Interpretations Channel Cross Sections, Characterizing Channel-Bed Sediments and Channel-Bank Material, Preliminary Geotechnical Investigation, Project Site Risk Assessment Flood Prone Width, Channel Entrenchment

Wfp ER  Wbf ER is entrenchment ratio

Wbf is bankfull width

Wfp is the flood prone width of the valley bottom at two times the maximum bankfull depth

April 20097A-7 USDA-FS: Wayne NF, Eastern Region Ohio Department of Transportation Designing for Aquatic Organism Passage at Road-Stream Crossings 7A. Site Assessment: Field Measurements and Interpretations Channel Cross Sections, Characterizing Channel-Bed Sediments and Channel-Bank Material, Preliminary Geotechnical Investigation, Project Site Risk Assessment Channel-Forming Discharges

Q25 yr

2/3 Qbankfull Qbankfull

Hogback Creek Lolo NF, MT A range of flows (2/3 bankfull to the 25-year flood) are most 8 influential in forming and maintaining the channel

April 20097A-8 USDA-FS: Wayne NF, Eastern Region Ohio Department of Transportation Designing for Aquatic Organism Passage at Road-Stream Crossings 7A. Site Assessment: Field Measurements and Interpretations Channel Cross Sections, Characterizing Channel-Bed Sediments and Channel-Bank Material, Preliminary Geotechnical Investigation, Project Site Risk Assessment Purpose/Significance of Identifying Bankfull Flow

Q25 year Qbankfull 2/3 Qbankfull

Hughes Creek Daniel Boone NF, KY • Bankfull discharge is an index of the range of flows that shape the channel and floodplain • Usually transports more sediment over time than any other discharge • Typically occurs on average every 1 – 3 years 9

April 20097A-9 USDA-FS: Wayne NF, Eastern Region Ohio Department of Transportation Designing for Aquatic Organism Passage at Road-Stream Crossings 7A. Site Assessment: Field Measurements and Interpretations Channel Cross Sections, Characterizing Channel-Bed Sediments and Channel-Bank Material, Preliminary Geotechnical Investigation, Project Site Risk Assessment

Bankfull Flow Indicators • Elevation of the active floodplain margin adjacent to the channel (floodplain may be present as discontinuous patches). • Elevation associated with the top of the highest depositional feature (point bars and mid-channel bars in active channels). • Slope or topographic breaks along channel banks. • Change in particle-size distribution of bank sediments (boundary between coarse and fine sediments). • Change in vegetation types (especially the lower limit of perennial species). • Stain lines or the lower extent of moss and lichens on boulders and large cobbles in the channel.

Stream Bed Width Indicators • The area of the channel devoid of vegetation. 10

April 20097A-10 USDA-FS: Wayne NF, Eastern Region Ohio Department of Transportation Designing for Aquatic Organism Passage at Road-Stream Crossings 7A. Site Assessment: Field Measurements and Interpretations Channel Cross Sections, Characterizing Channel-Bed Sediments and Channel-Bank Material, Preliminary Geotechnical Investigation, Project Site Risk Assessment Stream Bed Width and Bankfull Width

floodplain floodplain

bankfull width

stream bed width

April 20097A-11 USDA-FS: Wayne NF, Eastern Region Ohio Department of Transportation Designing for Aquatic Organism Passage at Road-Stream Crossings 7A. Site Assessment: Field Measurements and Interpretations Channel Cross Sections, Characterizing Channel-Bed Sediments and Channel-Bank Material, Preliminary Geotechnical Investigation, Project Site Risk Assessment Stream Bed Width and Bankfull Width floodplain floodplain

bankfull width stream bed width

April 20097A-12 USDA-FS: Wayne NF, Eastern Region Ohio Department of Transportation Designing for Aquatic Organism Passage at Road-Stream Crossings 7A. Site Assessment: Field Measurements and Interpretations Channel Cross Sections, Characterizing Channel-Bed Sediments and Channel-Bank Material, Preliminary Geotechnical Investigation, Project Site Risk Assessment Stream Bed Width and Bankfull Width

floodplain floodplain

bankfull width

stream bed width

April 20097A-13 USDA-FS: Wayne NF, Eastern Region Ohio Department of Transportation Designing for Aquatic Organism Passage at Road-Stream Crossings 7A. Site Assessment: Field Measurements and Interpretations Channel Cross Sections, Characterizing Channel-Bed Sediments and Channel-Bank Material, Preliminary Geotechnical Investigation, Project Site Risk Assessment Stream Bed Width and Bankfull Width

bankfull width stream bed width

April 20097A-14 USDA-FS: Wayne NF, Eastern Region Ohio Department of Transportation Designing for Aquatic Organism Passage at Road-Stream Crossings 7A. Site Assessment: Field Measurements and Interpretations Channel Cross Sections, Characterizing Channel-Bed Sediments and Channel-Bank Material, Preliminary Geotechnical Investigation, Project Site Risk Assessment Stream Bed Width and Bankfull Width

bankfull width stream bed width

April 20097A-15 USDA-FS: Wayne NF, Eastern Region Ohio Department of Transportation Designing for Aquatic Organism Passage at Road-Stream Crossings 7A. Site Assessment: Field Measurements and Interpretations Channel Cross Sections, Characterizing Channel-Bed Sediments and Channel-Bank Material, Preliminary Geotechnical Investigation, Project Site Risk Assessment Stream Bed Width and Bankfull Width bankfull width

stream bed width

upstream view of culvert inlet bankfull width

stream bed width

16 downstream view of culvert outlet

April 20097A-16 USDA-FS: Wayne NF, Eastern Region Ohio Department of Transportation Designing for Aquatic Organism Passage at Road-Stream Crossings 7A. Site Assessment: Field Measurements and Interpretations Channel Cross Sections, Characterizing Channel-Bed Sediments and Channel-Bank Material, Preliminary Geotechnical Investigation, Project Site Risk Assessment Where to get More Information on Identifying Bankfull Flow

• The USDA Forest Service, Stream Systems Technology Center has produced multimedia presentations describing the techniques and procedures for identifying bankfull flow for different channel types: – Identifying Bankfull Stage in the Eastern and Western United States (USDA Forest Service, 2003) – A Guide to Identification of Bankfull Stage in the Northeastern U.S. (USDA Forest Service, 2005) • Refer to the website below for information on how to obtain a copy of these multimedia presentations: – http://www.stream.fs.fed.us/publications/videos.html

April 20097A-17 USDA-FS: Wayne NF, Eastern Region Ohio Department of Transportation Designing for Aquatic Organism Passage at Road-Stream Crossings 7A. Site Assessment: Field Measurements and Interpretations Channel Cross Sections, Characterizing Channel-Bed Sediments and Channel-Bank Material, Preliminary Geotechnical Investigation, Project Site Risk Assessment

Factors Influencing Channel Shape • Channel-Bed and Channel-Bank Materials – Particle size, compaction, hardness, and cohesion of sediments – The type and rooting depth of vegetation – The size and burial depth of LWD • Position in Channel Planform – Straight channel segments – Channel bends • Gradient – High-gradient channel segments – Low-gradient channel segments • Flood History – The effects of recent flooding • Sediment Supply – High sediment supply versus low sediment supply

April 20097A-18 USDA-FS: Wayne NF, Eastern Region Ohio Department of Transportation Designing for Aquatic Organism Passage at Road-Stream Crossings 7A. Site Assessment: Field Measurements and Interpretations Channel Cross Sections, Characterizing Channel-Bed Sediments and Channel-Bank Material, Preliminary Geotechnical Investigation, Project Site Risk Assessment Newbury Creek t Olympic National Forest Washington XS2 tributary Cross Section Locations

rf/nm t • Immediately upstream and downstream

XS3 from the culvert. t

d • At least two representative cross

rf/nm o

g sections upstream from the culvert that

o XS4 l

l O best describe channel characteristics. t existing XS5 culvert • At least two representative cross XS6 sections downstream from the culvert rf/nm 220 S Rd 2 SF U rf/nm XS7 that best describe channel rf/nm N characteristics.

XS8 fp/lt EXPLANATION • If flow modeling is anticipated to valley margin t bedrock determine flood hydrology and bankfull flow floodprone width fp/lt hydraulics, more cross sections will be XS9 large woody debris pool tail crest t step needed to describe channel/valley t terrace fp/lt floodplain or low terrace transitions and dimensions. rf/nm road fill or native material culvert XS10 log weir flow direction

t 19 fp/lt 025 m

April 20097A-19 USDA-FS: Wayne NF, Eastern Region Ohio Department of Transportation Designing for Aquatic Organism Passage at Road-Stream Crossings 7A. Site Assessment: Field Measurements and Interpretations Channel Cross Sections, Characterizing Channel-Bed Sediments and Channel-Bank Material, Preliminary Geotechnical Investigation, Project Site Risk Assessment Typical Measuring Points for a Cross Section • The width of the cross section should extend at least two times the maximum bankfull depth to characterize channel and valley bottom (floodplain, terraces, etc.) dimensions. • At bankfull and stream bed width flow indicators. • At topographic breaks/transitions between the channel bed, channel deposits, the channel bank, the floodplain, terraces, and the valley slope. • At changes in particle sizes along the channel bed and channel banks. • At changes in vegetation types along the bank margin, floodplain, and terraces. • Field evidence of past floods (e.g., scoured flood-plain swales or surfaces, accumulations of woody debris or fine sediments on the floodplain or low terrace). terrace channel floodplain terrace

floodplain swale

Qfp

Q Qbw 20 bf Qlf

April 20097A-20 USDA-FS: Wayne NF, Eastern Region Ohio Department of Transportation Designing for Aquatic Organism Passage at Road-Stream Crossings 7A. Site Assessment: Field Measurements and Interpretations Channel Cross Sections, Characterizing Channel-Bed Sediments and Channel-Bank Material, Preliminary Geotechnical Investigation, Project Site Risk Assessment Measuring Bankfull Width and Cross Section Shape in Step-Pool Channels

from Knighton, 1998

pool pool stepstep step

bankfull width measurements XS survey; channel shape 21

April 20097A-21 USDA-FS: Wayne NF, Eastern Region Ohio Department of Transportation Designing for Aquatic Organism Passage at Road-Stream Crossings 7A. Site Assessment: Field Measurements and Interpretations Channel Cross Sections, Characterizing Channel-Bed Sediments and Channel-Bank Material, Preliminary Geotechnical Investigation, Project Site Risk Assessment Measuring Bankfull Width and Cross Section Shape in Step-Pool Channels

bankfull width streambed width step pool step

pool step

pool

April 20097A-22 USDA-FS: Wayne NF, Eastern Region Ohio Department of Transportation Designing for Aquatic Organism Passage at Road-Stream Crossings 7A. Site Assessment: Field Measurements and Interpretations Channel Cross Sections, Characterizing Channel-Bed Sediments and Channel-Bank Material, Preliminary Geotechnical Investigation, Project Site Risk Assessment Step–pool Channel Cross Section Example

Cross-section in the riffle or run portion of the step-pool channel.

Collect multiple bankfull width measurements 101 from different channel units; maximum width of 100 pool, step crest. Qbf relative elevation (m) relative elevation

99 0246823 distance from right bank to left bank (m)

April 20097A-23 USDA-FS: Wayne NF, Eastern Region Ohio Department of Transportation Designing for Aquatic Organism Passage at Road-Stream Crossings 7A. Site Assessment: Field Measurements and Interpretations Channel Cross Sections, Characterizing Channel-Bed Sediments and Channel-Bank Material, Preliminary Geotechnical Investigation, Project Site Risk Assessment Measuring Bankfull Width and Cross Section Shape in Pool-Riffle Channels

From Knighton, 1998 pool riffle riffle

riffle point bar point bar

bankfull width measurements pool 24 XS survey; channel shape

April 20097A-24 USDA-FS: Wayne NF, Eastern Region Ohio Department of Transportation Designing for Aquatic Organism Passage at Road-Stream Crossings 7A. Site Assessment: Field Measurements and Interpretations Channel Cross Sections, Characterizing Channel-Bed Sediments and Channel-Bank Material, Preliminary Geotechnical Investigation, Project Site Risk Assessment Measuring Bankfull Width and Cross Section Shape in Pool-Riffle Channels

lateral scour pool bankfull stream bed pool riffle crest

riffle bankline

April 20097A-25 USDA-FS: Wayne NF, Eastern Region Ohio Department of Transportation Designing for Aquatic Organism Passage at Road-Stream Crossings 7A. Site Assessment: Field Measurements and Interpretations Channel Cross Sections, Characterizing Channel-Bed Sediments and Channel-Bank Material, Preliminary Geotechnical Investigation, Project Site Risk Assessment Pool-Riffle Channel Cross-Section Example

floodplain lower terrace

Bankfull water surface Stream bed water surface

100 terrace

e floodplain/lower terrace v i t ela r XS8 elevation (m) elevation 95

10 15 20 25 26 distance from lb to rb (m)

April 20097A-26 USDA-FS: Wayne NF, Eastern Region Ohio Department of Transportation Designing for Aquatic Organism Passage at Road-Stream Crossings 7A. Site Assessment: Field Measurements and Interpretations Channel Cross Sections, Characterizing Channel-Bed Sediments and Channel-Bank Material, Preliminary Geotechnical Investigation, Project Site Risk Assessment Channel Cross Sections: Bank Morphology and Stability • Survey and describe distinct bank layers • Describe the size, depth, and density of exposed roots • Measure the width and depth of bank undercutting (if applicable) • Document any evidence of recent bank instability (slump blocks, detached bank margins, tensile cracks along bank margins, etc.)

April 20097A-27 USDA-FS: Wayne NF, Eastern Region Ohio Department of Transportation Designing for Aquatic Organism Passage at Road-Stream Crossings 7A. Site Assessment: Field Measurements and Interpretations Channel Cross Sections, Characterizing Channel-Bed Sediments and Channel-Bank Material, Preliminary Geotechnical Investigation, Project Site Risk Assessment Stream Simulation Site Assessment Process • Initial Site Assessment • Site Assessment –Site Maps and Channel Planform A Characteristics –Reference Reach –Roadway Considerations –Longitudinal Profile –Channel Cross Sections –Characterizing Channel-Bed Sediments B and Channel-Bank Material –Preliminary Geotechnical Investigation –Project Site Risk Assessment

April 20097A-28 USDA-FS: Wayne NF, Eastern Region Ohio Department of Transportation Designing for Aquatic Organism Passage at Road-Stream Crossings 7A. Site Assessment: Field Measurements and Interpretations Channel Cross Sections, Characterizing Channel-Bed Sediments and Channel-Bank Material, Preliminary Geotechnical Investigation, Project Site Risk Assessment

What is the purpose of measuring and describing channel-bed and bank characteristics? 1) Establishes the range of sediment sizes, shapes, and roundness composing the natural channel bed and banks. 2) Sediment characteristics from the “reference reach” provides the basis for determining the characteristics and arrangement of channel- bed and bank sediments in the design channel. 3) Sediment characteristics are used to assess the mobility and stability of particles along the natural channel and design channel for different flows.

April 20097A-29 USDA-FS: Wayne NF, Eastern Region Ohio Department of Transportation Designing for Aquatic Organism Passage at Road-Stream Crossings 7A. Site Assessment: Field Measurements and Interpretations Channel Cross Sections, Characterizing Channel-Bed Sediments and Channel-Bank Material, Preliminary Geotechnical Investigation, Project Site Risk Assessment Newbury Creek t Olympic National Forest Sediment Sampling Strategies Washington XS2 tributary

1) Collect channel-bed and bank rf/nm sediment data from several possible t XS3 reference reaches while onsite and t

before the analysis of the longitudinal rf/nm o

o XS4 l profile.

O 2) Wait to collect detailed channel-bed t existing XS5 and bank sediment data until the culvert Reference XS6 Reach rf/nm reference reach has been selected d 2220 S R SF U rf/nm XS7 after analyzing the longitudinal profile. rf/nm N 3) If the reference reach is downstream XS8 fp/lt of the crossing, sediment EXPLANATION valley margin t bedrock characteristics upstream of the bankfull flow floodprone width fp/lt crossing are needed to determine the XS9 large woody debris pool tail crest t step mobility and resupply of similar size t terrace fp/lt floodplain or low terrace sediments that are mobilized from the rf/nm road fill or native material culvert XS10 log weir design channel at different flows. flow direction t 30 fp/lt 0 25 m

April 20097A-30 USDA-FS: Wayne NF, Eastern Region Ohio Department of Transportation Designing for Aquatic Organism Passage at Road-Stream Crossings 7A. Site Assessment: Field Measurements and Interpretations Channel Cross Sections, Characterizing Channel-Bed Sediments and Channel-Bank Material, Preliminary Geotechnical Investigation, Project Site Risk Assessment Channel-Bed Material

step Considerations pool step

pool step • Does channel-bed substrate

pool step size vary spatially between pool and within channel units (i.e., pools versus steps, pool riffle crest transverse rib riffles versus pools, within

particle cluster riffles)? • Is the channel-bed substrate well sorted or poorly sorted (uniformly or non-uniformly graded)? • Does the channel-bed substrate vary vertically (i.e., surface layer versus the subsurface layer)? 31

April 20097A-31 USDA-FS: Wayne NF, Eastern Region Ohio Department of Transportation Designing for Aquatic Organism Passage at Road-Stream Crossings 7A. Site Assessment: Field Measurements and Interpretations Channel Cross Sections, Characterizing Channel-Bed Sediments and Channel-Bank Material, Preliminary Geotechnical Investigation, Project Site Risk Assessment Channel-Bed Sediment

step Sampling Approaches pool step

pool step • Typically measure channel

pool step units such as riffles, pools, pool runs, and steps.

pool riffle crest • Largest particles of individual transverse rib channel-bed structures such particle riffle cluster as steps, pool-tail crests or head of riffles, particle clusters, transverse bars, isolated boulders, etc. should be measured. • The subsurface material immediately below the channel bed should at a minimum be qualitatively described. 32

April 20097A-32 USDA-FS: Wayne NF, Eastern Region Ohio Department of Transportation Designing for Aquatic Organism Passage at Road-Stream Crossings 7A. Site Assessment: Field Measurements and Interpretations Channel Cross Sections, Characterizing Channel-Bed Sediments and Channel-Bank Material, Preliminary Geotechnical Investigation, Project Site Risk Assessment particle particle particle particle Particle particle size size size particle size size size size description (ø units) (mm) description (ø units) (mm) -12.0 4096 -11.5 2896 -2.5 5.66 intervals very large boulder fine gravel -11.0 2048 -2.0 4.00 -10.5 1448 -1.5 2.83 large boulder very fine gravel -10.0 1024 -1.0 2.00 -9.5 724 -0.5 1.41 medium boulder very coarse sand -9.0 512 0.0 1.00 -8.5 362 0.5 0.71 small boulder coarse sand -8.0 256 1.0 0.50 -7.5 181 1.5 0.35 large cobble medium sand -7.0 128 2.0 0.25 -6.5 90.5 2.5 0.177 small cobble fine sand -6.0 64.0 3.0 0.125 -5.5 45.3 3.5 0.088 very coarse gravel very fine sand -5.0 32.0 4.0 0.063 -4.5 22.6 coarse gravel silt -4.0 16.0 8.0 0.0039 -3.5 11.3 medium gravel clay -3.0 8.00 12.0 0.00024 -i Conversion from mm to phi: Di = 2 33 Conversion from phi to mm: -3.3219 log (Di)

April 20097A-33 USDA-FS: Wayne NF, Eastern Region Ohio Department of Transportation Designing for Aquatic Organism Passage at Road-Stream Crossings 7A. Site Assessment: Field Measurements and Interpretations Channel Cross Sections, Characterizing Channel-Bed Sediments and Channel-Bank Material, Preliminary Geotechnical Investigation, Project Site Risk Assessment Bed Material Sampling Methods Gravel-bed (8-64 mm), Cobble-bed (64-256 mm), and Boulder- bed (>256 mm) Channels •Surface sampling – Grid counts, heal-to-toe walk •Volumetric sampling – Extracting a predefined volume or mass of sediment from the surface layer for sieve analyses Sand-bed (0.063 to 2 mm) and Fine Gravel-bed (2-8 mm) Channels •Volumetric sampling – Extracting a predefined volume or mass of sediment from the surface layer for later sieve analyses •Visual Estimates – Qualitative percentile estimates for different particle size classes; typically adequate for most design purposes Subsurface Sediment Layer (Gravel-bed, Cobble-bed, and Boulder-bed Channels) •Volumetric sampling – Extracting a predefined volume or mass of sediment from the surface layer for later sieve analyses •Visual Estimates – Qualitative percentile estimates for different particle size classes; typically34 adequate for most design purposes

April 20097A-34 USDA-FS: Wayne NF, Eastern Region Ohio Department of Transportation Designing for Aquatic Organism Passage at Road-Stream Crossings 7A. Site Assessment: Field Measurements and Interpretations Channel Cross Sections, Characterizing Channel-Bed Sediments and Channel-Bank Material, Preliminary Geotechnical Investigation, Project Site Risk Assessment Channel-Bed Sediment

step Sampling Approaches pool step

pool step • Typically measure channel

pool step units such as riffles, pools, pool runs, and steps.

pool riffle crest • Largest particles of individual transverse rib channel-bed structures such particle cluster as steps, pool-tail crests or head of riffles, particle clusters, transverse bars, isolated boulders, etc. should be measured. • The subsurface material immediately below the channel bed should at a minimum be qualitatively described. 35

April 20097A-35 USDA-FS: Wayne NF, Eastern Region Ohio Department of Transportation Designing for Aquatic Organism Passage at Road-Stream Crossings 7A. Site Assessment: Field Measurements and Interpretations Channel Cross Sections, Characterizing Channel-Bed Sediments and Channel-Bank Material, Preliminary Geotechnical Investigation, Project Site Risk Assessment Channel-Bed Sediment Sampling of Channels Composed of Fine Gravels and Sands Volumetric or Bulk Samples • Collect multiple samples to obtain a representative sample. • Samples can be sieved in the field or the laboratory to determine the particle-size distribution. Unknown Stream Gila NF, NM • Normally not necessary to quantify for design purposes! Visual Estimates • Estimate relative abundance into three main constituents: gravels (2 to 8 mm), sands (0.063 to 2 mm), and silt/clay (<0.063 mm) • Usually sufficient for design purposes 36 Eames Creek Siuslaw NF, OR

April 20097A-36 USDA-FS: Wayne NF, Eastern Region Ohio Department of Transportation Designing for Aquatic Organism Passage at Road-Stream Crossings 7A. Site Assessment: Field Measurements and Interpretations Channel Cross Sections, Characterizing Channel-Bed Sediments and Channel-Bank Material, Preliminary Geotechnical Investigation, Project Site Risk Assessment Surface Sampling: Pebble counts using the grid method • Suitable for channels composed of boulders, cobbles, and gravels step • Typically measure pool channel units such as step pool riffles, pools, runs, and step steps pool • If bed composition is step War Creek pool variable within a Okanogan NF, WA channel unit, sample those subunits riffle separately and develop pool a composite grain-size riffle distribution based on riffle weighted area crest pool • Sample channel bed between the base of the banks (i.e., do not include banks) riffle Newbury Creek 37 Olympic NF, WA

April 20097A-37 USDA-FS: Wayne NF, Eastern Region Ohio Department of Transportation Designing for Aquatic Organism Passage at Road-Stream Crossings 7A. Site Assessment: Field Measurements and Interpretations Channel Cross Sections, Characterizing Channel-Bed Sediments and Channel-Bank Material, Preliminary Geotechnical Investigation, Project Site Risk Assessment Surface Sampling: Pebble counts using the grid method • Evenly spaced intervals along a tape transect: 1 to 2 times the Dmax particle size of the bed material • Measure the particle diameter (intermediate- or b-axis) • Measure between 100 and 400 particles • Space multiple transects at least 1 m apart • Place measured particles in ½ phi intervals 38 from Bunte and Abt, 2001

April 20097A-38 USDA-FS: Wayne NF, Eastern Region Ohio Department of Transportation Designing for Aquatic Organism Passage at Road-Stream Crossings 7A. Site Assessment: Field Measurements and Interpretations Channel Cross Sections, Characterizing Channel-Bed Sediments and Channel-Bank Material, Preliminary Geotechnical Investigation, Project Site Risk Assessment Surface Sampling: Pebble counts using the grid method • Grid method reduces sampling bias (heal-to- toe method can be biased against sampling sands, small gravels, and large boulders) • Gravelometers and Newbury Creek other measurement Olympic NF, WA aids can improve accuracy • Grid method is challenging to perform in flowing water, but can be done

39 from Bunte and Abt, 2001

April 20097A-39 USDA-FS: Wayne NF, Eastern Region Ohio Department of Transportation Designing for Aquatic Organism Passage at Road-Stream Crossings 7A. Site Assessment: Field Measurements and Interpretations Channel Cross Sections, Characterizing Channel-Bed Sediments and Channel-Bank Material, Preliminary Geotechnical Investigation, Project Site Risk Assessment Surface Sampling: Pebble counts using the grid method • Example field data form

April 20097A-40 USDA-FS: Wayne NF, Eastern Region Ohio Department of Transportation Designing for Aquatic Organism Passage at Road-Stream Crossings 7A. Site Assessment: Field Measurements and Interpretations Channel Cross Sections, Characterizing Channel-Bed Sediments and Channel-Bank Material, Preliminary Geotechnical Investigation, Project Site Risk Assessment Surface Sampling: Pebble counts using the grid method • Example field form, Newbury Creek, WA (Olympic NF) floodplain lower terrace

sample area

Bankfull water surface Stream bed water surface

100 terrace

e floodplain/lower terrace v i t sample area ela r XS8 elevation (m) elevation 95

10 15 20 25 41 distance from lb to rb (m)

April 20097A-41 USDA-FS: Wayne NF, Eastern Region Ohio Department of Transportation Designing for Aquatic Organism Passage at Road-Stream Crossings 7A. Site Assessment: Field Measurements and Interpretations Channel Cross Sections, Characterizing Channel-Bed Sediments and Channel-Bank Material, Preliminary Geotechnical Investigation, Project Site Risk Assessment Determining Particle-Size Distributions • Pebble count measurements are placed in size intervals • Calculate the percent frequency for each size interval count in interval Percent frequency = 100 total count

Example: Newbury Creek, (Olympic NF, WA) cumulative particle size interval size interval count or percent percent name (mm) frequency frequency finer Project Name: Newbury Creek Crossing medium boulders 512 to 724 0.00 100.00 Sample ID: PC (XS8, 4-21-03) 362 to 512 1 0.88 99.12 Sample Date: 4/21/2003 small boulders 256 to 362 6 5.31 93.81 Sampler Name: Cenderelli 181 to 256 7 6.19 87.61 Sample Locaton: XS8, riffle mid-section large cobbles 128 to 181 13 11.50 76.11 Sample Method: grid method, 30 cm interval, 1 m 90.5 to 128 17 15.04 61.06 spacing between transects, small cobbles 64.0 to 90.5 17 15.04 46.02 perpendicular to flow. 45.2 to 64.0 13 11.50 34.51 very coarse gravel 32.0 to 45.2 14 12.39 22.12 percentile particle size (mm) 22.6 to 32.0 9 7.96 14.16 d95 275 coarse gravel 16.0 to 22.6 3 2.65 11.50 d84 164 11.3 to 16.0 6 5.31 6.19 d50 71 medium gravel 8.0 to 11.3 4 3.54 2.65 d16 24 5.7 to 8.0 2 1.77 0.88 d5 10 fine gravel 4.0 to 5.7 0.00 0.88 2.8 to 4.0 0.00 0.88 % boulders 6.19 very fine gravel 2.0 to 2.8 0.00 0.88 % cobbles 47.79 sand, silt, or clay < 2 1 0.88 0.00 % gravels 45.13 Total count 113 100.00 % sands,silts,clays 0.88 42

April 20097A-42 USDA-FS: Wayne NF, Eastern Region Ohio Department of Transportation Designing for Aquatic Organism Passage at Road-Stream Crossings 7A. Site Assessment: Field Measurements and Interpretations Channel Cross Sections, Characterizing Channel-Bed Sediments and Channel-Bank Material, Preliminary Geotechnical Investigation, Project Site Risk Assessment Determining Particle-Size Distributions • At the largest size interval with NO measurements, set the cumulative percent finer interval to 100 % (100 % of the particles measured are smaller than this size interval) • Subtract the next smallest size interval percent frequency by the cumulative percent finer value of the previous larger size interval to obtain the cumulative percent finer value for that particular interval. Cumulative Percent Finer Cumulative Percent Finer of Percent Frequency =- of Size Interval i Previous Larger Size Interval of Size Interval i Example: Newbury Creek, (Olympic NF, WA) cumulative particle size interval size interval count or percent percent name (mm) frequency frequency finer Project Name: Newbury Creek Crossing medium boulders 512 to 724 0.00 100.00 Sample ID: PC (XS8, 4-21-03) 362 to 512 1 0.88 99.12 Sample Date: 4/21/2003 small boulders 256 to 362 6 5.31 93.81 Sampler Name: Cenderelli 181 to 256 7 6.19 87.61 Sample Locaton: XS8, riffle mid-section large cobbles 128 to 181 13 11.50 76.11 Sample Method: grid method, 30 cm interval, 1 m 90.5 to 128 17 15.04 61.06 spacing between transects, small cobbles 64.0 to 90.5 17 15.04 46.02 perpendicular to flow. 45.2 to 64.0 13 11.50 34.51 very coarse gravel 32.0 to 45.2 14 12.39 22.12 percentile particle size (mm) 22.6 to 32.0 9 7.96 14.16 d95 275 coarse gravel 16.0 to 22.6 3 2.65 11.50 d84 164 11.3 to 16.0 6 5.31 6.19 d50 71 medium gravel 8.0 to 11.3 4 3.54 2.65 d16 24 5.7 to 8.0 2 1.77 0.88 d5 10 fine gravel 4.0 to 5.7 0.00 0.88 2.8 to 4.0 0.00 0.88 % boulders 6.19 very fine gravel 2.0 to 2.8 0.00 0.88 % cobbles 47.79 sand, silt, or clay < 2 1 0.88 0.00 % gravels 45.13 43 Total count 113 100.00 % sands,silts,clays 0.88

April 20097A-43 USDA-FS: Wayne NF, Eastern Region Ohio Department of Transportation Designing for Aquatic Organism Passage at Road-Stream Crossings 7A. Site Assessment: Field Measurements and Interpretations Channel Cross Sections, Characterizing Channel-Bed Sediments and Channel-Bank Material, Preliminary Geotechnical Investigation, Project Site Risk Assessment Determining Particle-Size Distributions • Plot cumulative percent finer against the smallest value of a given size interval • Use plot to obtain percentile particle sizes (D95, D84, D50, D16, D5, etc.) and calculate particle-size distribution statistics (mean, sorting, skewness, kurtosis) Example:Example: Newbury Creek, (Olympic NF,NF, WA)WA) 100 cumulative particle size interval size interval count or percentD95 =percent 275 mm name (mm) frequency frequency finer Project Name: Newbury Creek Crossing 90 medium boulders 512 to 724 0.00 100.00 Sample ID: PC (XS8, 4-21-03) 362 to 512 1D84 = 0.88 164 mm 99.12 Sample Date: 4/21/2003 small80 boulders 256 to 362 6 5.31 93.81 Sampler Name: Cenderelli 181 to 256 7 6.19 87.61 Sample Locaton: XS8, riffle mid-section large cobbles 128 to 181 13 11.50 76.11 Sample Method: grid method, 30 cm interval, 1 m 70 90.5 to 128 17 15.04 61.06 spacing between transects, small cobbles 64.0 to 90.5 17 15.04 46.02 perpendicular to flow. 60 45.2 to 64.0 13 11.50 34.51 very coarse gravel 32.0 to 45.2 14 12.39 22.12 percentile particle size (mm) 22.6 to 32.0D50 9 = 71 7.96mm 14.16 d95 275 coarse50 gravel 16.0 to 22.6 3 2.65 11.50 d84 164 11.3 to 16.0 6 5.31 6.19 d50 71 medium gravel 8.0 to 11.3 4 3.54 2.65 d16 24 40 5.7 to 8.0 2 1.77 0.88 d5 10 finecumulative percent finer gravel 4.0 to 5.7 0.00 0.88 30 2.8 to 4.0 0.00 0.88 % boulders 6.19 very fine gravel 2.0 to 2.8 0.00 0.88 % cobbles 47.79 sand, silt, or clay < 2 1 0.88 0.00 % gravels 45.13 20 TotalD16 count = 24 113 mm 100.00 % sands,silts,clays 0.88

10 D5 = 10 mm

0 44 1 10 100 1000 particle size (mm)

April 20097A-44 USDA-FS: Wayne NF, Eastern Region Ohio Department of Transportation Designing for Aquatic Organism Passage at Road-Stream Crossings 7A. Site Assessment: Field Measurements and Interpretations Channel Cross Sections, Characterizing Channel-Bed Sediments and Channel-Bank Material, Preliminary Geotechnical Investigation, Project Site Risk Assessment Where To Get More Information on Sampling and Analyzing Channel-Bed Sediments •Bunte, K., Abt, S.R. 2001. Sampling Surface and Subsurface Particle- Size Distributions in Wadable Gravel- and Cobble-Bed Streams for Analyses in Sediment Transport, Hydraulics, and Streambed Monitoring. General Technical Report, RMRS-GTR-74. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. 428 p.

•Available online at: 45 http://www.stream.fs.fed.us/publications/PDFs/rmrs_gtr74.pdf

April 20097A-45 USDA-FS: Wayne NF, Eastern Region Ohio Department of Transportation Designing for Aquatic Organism Passage at Road-Stream Crossings 7A. Site Assessment: Field Measurements and Interpretations Channel Cross Sections, Characterizing Channel-Bed Sediments and Channel-Bank Material, Preliminary Geotechnical Investigation, Project Site Risk Assessment Channel-Bed Sediment

step Sampling Approaches pool step

pool step • Typically measure channel

pool step units such as riffles, pools, pool runs, and steps. • Largest particles of pool riffle crest transverse rib individual channel-bed

particle structures such as steps, cluster pool-tail crests or head of riffles, particle clusters, transverse bars, isolated boulders, etc. should be measured. • The subsurface material immediately below the channel bed should at a minimum be qualitatively described. 46

April 20097A-46 USDA-FS: Wayne NF, Eastern Region Ohio Department of Transportation Designing for Aquatic Organism Passage at Road-Stream Crossings 7A. Site Assessment: Field Measurements and Interpretations Channel Cross Sections, Characterizing Channel-Bed Sediments and Channel-Bank Material, Preliminary Geotechnical Investigation, Project Site Risk Assessment Surface Sampling: Measurement of Key Features • Measure the largest particles making up key hydraulic step features (e.g., steps, pool riffle crests, step pool transverse ribs or step microsteps, particle pool clusters, etc.) step • Measure between 10 pool to 25 particles • Measure the lengths riffle of the particles long-, pool crest intermediate-, and transverse rib short-axes

• Describe the shape particle and roundness of cluster the particles measured 47

April 20097A-47 USDA-FS: Wayne NF, Eastern Region Ohio Department of Transportation Designing for Aquatic Organism Passage at Road-Stream Crossings 7A. Site Assessment: Field Measurements and Interpretations Channel Cross Sections, Characterizing Channel-Bed Sediments and Channel-Bank Material, Preliminary Geotechnical Investigation, Project Site Risk Assessment Surface Sampling: Measurement of Key Features • Measure the length of the particle’s long-axis (a), intermediate-axis (b), and short axis (c)

from Bunte and Abt, 2001

April 20097A-48 USDA-FS: Wayne NF, Eastern Region Ohio Department of Transportation Designing for Aquatic Organism Passage at Road-Stream Crossings 7A. Site Assessment: Field Measurements and Interpretations Channel Cross Sections, Characterizing Channel-Bed Sediments and Channel-Bank Material, Preliminary Geotechnical Investigation, Project Site Risk Assessment Surface Sampling: Measurement of Key Features • Describe the roundness of the particles measured

from Bunte and Abt, 2001

April 20097A-49 USDA-FS: Wayne NF, Eastern Region Ohio Department of Transportation Designing for Aquatic Organism Passage at Road-Stream Crossings 7A. Site Assessment: Field Measurements and Interpretations Channel Cross Sections, Characterizing Channel-Bed Sediments and Channel-Bank Material, Preliminary Geotechnical Investigation, Project Site Risk Assessment

Surface Sampling: Measurement of Key Features •Describe the shape of the particles measured –F quantifies the particles form as platy (i.e., disc shaped), bladed (i.e., ellipsoid), or elongated (i.e., rod-shaped). –S quantifies the particle’s degree of platyness, bladedness, and elongatedness or deviation from compactness – quantifies the particles sphericity

a = particle long axis b = particle intermediate axis

c = particle short axis from Bunte and50 Abt, 2001

April 20097A-50 USDA-FS: Wayne NF, Eastern Region Ohio Department of Transportation Designing for Aquatic Organism Passage at Road-Stream Crossings 7A. Site Assessment: Field Measurements and Interpretations Channel Cross Sections, Characterizing Channel-Bed Sediments and Channel-Bank Material, Preliminary Geotechnical Investigation, Project Site Risk Assessment Surface Sampling: Measurement of Key Features • Example field form: Newbury Creek, WA (Olympic NF)

floodplain lower terrace

Bankfull water surface Stream bed 51 water surface

April 20097A-51 USDA-FS: Wayne NF, Eastern Region Ohio Department of Transportation Designing for Aquatic Organism Passage at Road-Stream Crossings 7A. Site Assessment: Field Measurements and Interpretations Channel Cross Sections, Characterizing Channel-Bed Sediments and Channel-Bank Material, Preliminary Geotechnical Investigation, Project Site Risk Assessment Procedure for determining the distribution of measured key pieces Summary of 20 largest particles measured along upper riffle (from XS8 to riffle crest). average long 1) Determine the d95, inter- cubic axis/interm d84, d50, and d16 particle long axis mediate short axis dimension ediate axis number (mm) axis (mm) (mm) (mm) ratio particle shape; roundness percentile sizes for 1 580 410 205 365 1.41 disk shaped, subangular the axes of the 2 550 420 210 365 1.31 disk shaped, subangular particles measured 3 525 350 105 268 1.50 blade shaped, subangular 4 350 270 110 218 1.30 disk shaped, subangular (this can be done 5 350 290 90 209 1.21 disk shaped, subangular using the percentile 6 375 300 120 238 1.25 disk shaped, subangular 7 340 310 100 219 1.10 disk shaped, subangular function in Excel). 8 360 300 105 225 1.20 disk shaped, subangular 9 350 290 110 224 1.21 disk shaped, subangular 2) Determine the average 10 300 250 70 174 1.20 disk shaped, subrounded 11 290 230 90 182 1.26 disk shaped, subrounded cubic dimension and 12 260 200 80 161 1.30 disk shaped, subrounded long-axis/intermediate 13 280 240 85 179 1.17 disk shaped, subrounded 14 280 230 80 173 1.22 disk shaped, subangular axis ratio of each 15 315 210 60 158 1.50 blade shaped, subrounded particle measured. 16 280 180 80 159 1.56 blade shaped, subrounded 17 270 180 75 154 1.50 blade shaped, subrounded 18 250 175 70 145 1.43 disk shaped, subangular 3) Determine the average 19 240 160 70 139 1.50 blade shaped, subrounded cubic dimension d95, 20 250 155 55 129 1.61 blade shaped, subrounded average 204 1.34 d84, d50, and d16 percentile sizes of the 552 411 205 d95 percentile (mm) 374 310 110 d84 percentile (mm) particles measured. 308 245 88 d50 percentile (mm) 260 180 70 d16 percentile (mm) 4) Determine the average 365 average cubic dimension of d95 percentile of the particles long 238 average cubic dimension of d84 percentile axis to intermediate52 180 average cubic dimension of d50 percentile 154 average cubic dimension of d16 percentile axis ratio.

April 20097A-52 USDA-FS: Wayne NF, Eastern Region Ohio Department of Transportation Designing for Aquatic Organism Passage at Road-Stream Crossings 7A. Site Assessment: Field Measurements and Interpretations Channel Cross Sections, Characterizing Channel-Bed Sediments and Channel-Bank Material, Preliminary Geotechnical Investigation, Project Site Risk Assessment Channel-Bed Sediment

step Sampling Approaches pool step

pool step • Typically measure channel

pool step units such as riffles, pools, pool runs, and steps. • Largest particles of individual pool riffle crest transverse rib channel-bed structures such

particle as steps, pool-tail crests or cluster head of riffles, particle clusters, transverse bars, isolated boulders, etc. should be measured. • The subsurface material immediately below the channel bed should at a minimum be qualitatively described. 53

April 20097A-53 USDA-FS: Wayne NF, Eastern Region Ohio Department of Transportation Designing for Aquatic Organism Passage at Road-Stream Crossings 7A. Site Assessment: Field Measurements and Interpretations Channel Cross Sections, Characterizing Channel-Bed Sediments and Channel-Bank Material, Preliminary Geotechnical Investigation, Project Site Risk Assessment

Channel-Bed Material Surface layer • Typically coarser than the subsurface layer because of the scour of fines between the larger particles • Thickness is usually defined by the depth of the largest particle Subsurface layer • Typically finer than the surface layer because of the presence of fines in the voids between the larger particles • Winnowing flows do not scour fines

surface layer subsurface layer subsurface layer

surface percent finer layer from Bunte and Abt, 2001 54 particle size

April 20097A-54 USDA-FS: Wayne NF, Eastern Region Ohio Department of Transportation Designing for Aquatic Organism Passage at Road-Stream Crossings 7A. Site Assessment: Field Measurements and Interpretations Channel Cross Sections, Characterizing Channel-Bed Sediments and Channel-Bank Material, Preliminary Geotechnical Investigation, Project Site Risk Assessment Sampling Subsurface Channel-Bed Material • Remove surface layer and sample subsurface layer at varying depths Volumetric or Bulk Sampling • Methods: grab samples, freeze cores, resin cores, frame and barrel samplers • Multiple samples needed to obtain a representative sample. • Samples can be sieved in the field or brought back to the laboratory to determine the particle-size distribution. • Normally not necessary to quantify for design purposes! Visual Estimates • Estimate relative abundance by three main constituents: gravels (2 to 8 mm), sands (0.063 to 2 mm), and silt/clay (<0.063 mm) • Usually sufficient for design purposes 55

April 20097A-55 USDA-FS: Wayne NF, Eastern Region Ohio Department of Transportation Designing for Aquatic Organism Passage at Road-Stream Crossings 7A. Site Assessment: Field Measurements and Interpretations Channel Cross Sections, Characterizing Channel-Bed Sediments and Channel-Bank Material, Preliminary Geotechnical Investigation, Project Site Risk Assessment Characterizing Channel-Bank Sediments • Delineate distinct bank layers Volumetric or Bulk Sampling • Suitable for sand and fine gravel bank sediments • Samples can be sieved in the field or in the laboratory to determine the particle-size distribution. • Normally not necessary to quantify for design purposes! Visual Estimates • Estimate relative abundance by major particle constituents: boulders (>256 mm), cobbles (64 to 256 mm), gravels (2 to 64 mm), sands (0.063 to 2 mm), and silt/clay (<0.063 mm) • Usually sufficient for design 56 purposes

April 20097A-56 USDA-FS: Wayne NF, Eastern Region Ohio Department of Transportation Designing for Aquatic Organism Passage at Road-Stream Crossings 7A. Site Assessment: Field Measurements and Interpretations Channel Cross Sections, Characterizing Channel-Bed Sediments and Channel-Bank Material, Preliminary Geotechnical Investigation, Project Site Risk Assessment Assessing and Describing Wood Characteristics •Describe and measure logs wood and trees where they are key step channel features controlling fluvial processes. •Delineate key wood features on the geomorphic map and pool longitudinal profile Geomorphic Considerations •Hydraulic grade control •Channel and bank roughness •Bank stability •Constricts and deflects flow Measurements, Descriptions •Measure diameter, length, and depth of embedment. •Describe the type and condition (minimal, moderate, extensive decay) of the wood. •Assess overall stability 57

April 20097A-57 USDA-FS: Wayne NF, Eastern Region Ohio Department of Transportation Designing for Aquatic Organism Passage at Road-Stream Crossings 7A. Site Assessment: Field Measurements and Interpretations Channel Cross Sections, Characterizing Channel-Bed Sediments and Channel-Bank Material, Preliminary Geotechnical Investigation, Project Site Risk Assessment Nonalluvial Material • Mass Wasting rockfall – Material transported by gravitational processes (e.g., rockfall, landslides, debris flows, debris torrents, etc.) – Potential substantial slope/stream interaction in confined channels • Glacial Erratics – Material transported and deposited in channel under different hydrological conditions in the past glacial erratics

April 20097A-58 USDA-FS: Wayne NF, Eastern Region Ohio Department of Transportation Designing for Aquatic Organism Passage at Road-Stream Crossings 7A. Site Assessment: Field Measurements and Interpretations Channel Cross Sections, Characterizing Channel-Bed Sediments and Channel-Bank Material, Preliminary Geotechnical Investigation, Project Site Risk Assessment Nonalluvial Material Properties rockfall • Typically are the largest material present • Particles are typically angular to subangular, but can be rounded • Significant outliers on the particle-size distribution curve Important Questions to Address • Do the particles control channel glacial form and stabilize the channel erratics bed? • Where is the source area of the particles?

April 20097A-59 USDA-FS: Wayne NF, Eastern Region Ohio Department of Transportation Designing for Aquatic Organism Passage at Road-Stream Crossings 7A. Site Assessment: Field Measurements and Interpretations Channel Cross Sections, Characterizing Channel-Bed Sediments and Channel-Bank Material, Preliminary Geotechnical Investigation, Project Site Risk Assessment Stream Simulation Site Assessment Process • Initial Site Assessment • Site Assessment –Site Maps and Channel Planform A Characteristics –Reference Reach –Roadway Considerations –Longitudinal Profile –Channel Cross Sections –Characterizing Channel-Bed Sediments B and Channel-Bank Material –Preliminary Geotechnical Investigation –Project Site Risk Assessment

April 20097A-60 USDA-FS: Wayne NF, Eastern Region Ohio Department of Transportation Designing for Aquatic Organism Passage at Road-Stream Crossings 7A. Site Assessment: Field Measurements and Interpretations Channel Cross Sections, Characterizing Channel-Bed Sediments and Channel-Bank Material, Preliminary Geotechnical Investigation, Project Site Risk Assessment What is the purpose of a preliminary geotechnical investigation? 1) Characterizes the sedimentologic and stratigraphic properties of the material below the channel. 2) Identifies potential subsurface conditions that may require further geotechnical analysis. – Clay soils – Organic-rich material – Saturated material – Bedrock 3) Subsurface observations and data are important for selecting the type of structure and designing the foundation for the structure.

April 20097A-61 USDA-FS: Wayne NF, Eastern Region Ohio Department of Transportation Designing for Aquatic Organism Passage at Road-Stream Crossings 7A. Site Assessment: Field Measurements and Interpretations Channel Cross Sections, Characterizing Channel-Bed Sediments and Channel-Bank Material, Preliminary Geotechnical Investigation, Project Site Risk Assessment Preliminary Geotechnical Investigation for Soils (unconsolidated sediment) • Soil Auger-portable or Hand Shovel –Hand samples; describe materials and thickness of units • Drive Probe –Relative density of material; estimates material type and thickness of units –Probe pool scour holes and undercuts in banks

April 20097A-62 USDA-FS: Wayne NF, Eastern Region Ohio Department of Transportation Designing for Aquatic Organism Passage at Road-Stream Crossings 7A. Site Assessment: Field Measurements and Interpretations Channel Cross Sections, Characterizing Channel-Bed Sediments and Channel-Bank Material, Preliminary Geotechnical Investigation, Project Site Risk Assessment Preliminary Geotechnical Investigation for Soils (unconsolidated sediment) •Stratigraphic Descriptions – At exposed surfaces, describe the materials (size, sorting, weathering, saturation, etc.) – measure the thickness and lateral extent of the units •Location and Extent – Locate areas on plan map, contour map, and longitudinal profile – Tie into existing survey data so elevation of units are known

April 20097A-63 USDA-FS: Wayne NF, Eastern Region Ohio Department of Transportation Designing for Aquatic Organism Passage at Road-Stream Crossings 7A. Site Assessment: Field Measurements and Interpretations Channel Cross Sections, Characterizing Channel-Bed Sediments and Channel-Bank Material, Preliminary Geotechnical Investigation, Project Site Risk Assessment Preliminary Geotechnical Investigation (Bedrock) • Rock Hammer (outcrops) – Universal Rock Classification System (URCS) compressive strength test for different rock types • Drive Probe – Is bedrock shallow and covered by a veneer of material? Estimate the thickness of materials overlying the bedrock. – Probe pool scour holes and undercuts in banks.

box culvert inlet (2 ea.)

bedrock

April 20097A-64 USDA-FS: Wayne NF, Eastern Region Ohio Department of Transportation Designing for Aquatic Organism Passage at Road-Stream Crossings 7A. Site Assessment: Field Measurements and Interpretations Channel Cross Sections, Characterizing Channel-Bed Sediments and Channel-Bank Material, Preliminary Geotechnical Investigation, Project Site Risk Assessment Preliminary Geotechnical Investigation (Bedrock) •Description of Rock Type and Properties –Igneous, sedimentary, metamorphic –Durability and weathering bedrock –Jointing and fracturing patterns –Unit weight –Make sure its bedrock; if probing or digging use multiple sites to verify •Location and Extent –Locate areas on plan map, contour map, and longitudinal profile –Tie into existing survey data so elevation of units bedrock are known

April 20097A-65 USDA-FS: Wayne NF, Eastern Region Ohio Department of Transportation Designing for Aquatic Organism Passage at Road-Stream Crossings 7A. Site Assessment: Field Measurements and Interpretations Channel Cross Sections, Characterizing Channel-Bed Sediments and Channel-Bank Material, Preliminary Geotechnical Investigation, Project Site Risk Assessment Stream Simulation Site Assessment Process • Initial Site Assessment • Site Assessment –Site Maps and Channel Planform A Characteristics –Reference Reach –Roadway Considerations –Longitudinal Profile –Channel Cross Sections –Characterizing Channel-Bed Sediments B and Channel-Bank Material –Preliminary Geotechnical Investigation –Project Site Risk Assessment

April 20097A-66 USDA-FS: Wayne NF, Eastern Region Ohio Department of Transportation Designing for Aquatic Organism Passage at Road-Stream Crossings 7A. Site Assessment: Field Measurements and Interpretations Channel Cross Sections, Characterizing Channel-Bed Sediments and Channel-Bank Material, Preliminary Geotechnical Investigation, Project Site Risk Assessment What is the purpose of performing a site risk assessment for the project? 1) Predict past and potential channel changes at the road- stream crossing with respect to channel stability, channel-bed vertical adjustment, channel headcutting, channel lateral adjustment, and floodplain inundation/connectivity. 2) Identify potential channel changes that pose significant risks to the stability of the road-stream crossing, design channel bed, and aquatic organism passage so that they are accommodated for in the road-stream crossing design.

April 20097A-67 USDA-FS: Wayne NF, Eastern Region Ohio Department of Transportation Designing for Aquatic Organism Passage at Road-Stream Crossings 7A. Site Assessment: Field Measurements and Interpretations Channel Cross Sections, Characterizing Channel-Bed Sediments and Channel-Bank Material, Preliminary Geotechnical Investigation, Project Site Risk Assessment Site Risk Assessment: Channel Responses to Consider • Channel stability: Is the overall channel stable or unstable because of system-wide degradation and aggradation? • Vertical adjustment potential: What is the potential range of channel-bed elevations over the service life of the structure from scour and fill processes during floods, sediment and wood inputs from debris flows and/or debris torrents, loss or formation of debris jams, land-use changes, etc.? • Headcut potential: What are the ecological implications for allowing headcutting to occur as the channel adjusts to establish a new equilibrium condition? • Lateral adjustment potential: Can channel migration or lateral shifting over the service life of the structure affect stream/culvert alignment? • Floodplain inundation/connectivity: Is floodplain function

and connectivity important to the fluvial system and 68 ecological processes?

April 20097A-68 USDA-FS: Wayne NF, Eastern Region Ohio Department of Transportation Designing for Aquatic Organism Passage at Road-Stream Crossings 7A. Site Assessment: Field Measurements and Interpretations Channel Cross Sections, Characterizing Channel-Bed Sediments and Channel-Bank Material, Preliminary Geotechnical Investigation, Project Site Risk Assessment Site Risk Assessment: Channel Instability

•Important to recognize channel instability and disequilibrium •Climate change, base-level changes, land-use practices, etc. can 69 cause local and system-wide channel degradation and aggradation

April 20097A-69 USDA-FS: Wayne NF, Eastern Region Ohio Department of Transportation Designing for Aquatic Organism Passage at Road-Stream Crossings 7A. Site Assessment: Field Measurements and Interpretations Channel Cross Sections, Characterizing Channel-Bed Sediments and Channel-Bank Material, Preliminary Geotechnical Investigation, Project Site Risk Assessment Site Risk Assessment: Channel Instability

from FISRWG, 1998 Channel Evolution Model

April 20097A-70 USDA-FS: Wayne NF, Eastern Region Ohio Department of Transportation Designing for Aquatic Organism Passage at Road-Stream Crossings 7A. Site Assessment: Field Measurements and Interpretations Channel Cross Sections, Characterizing Channel-Bed Sediments and Channel-Bank Material, Preliminary Geotechnical Investigation, Project Site Risk Assessment Site Risk Assessment: Channel Instability

Channel Evolution Model

71 from FISRWG, 1998

April 20097A-71 USDA-FS: Wayne NF, Eastern Region Ohio Department of Transportation Designing for Aquatic Organism Passage at Road-Stream Crossings 7A. Site Assessment: Field Measurements and Interpretations Channel Cross Sections, Characterizing Channel-Bed Sediments and Channel-Bank Material, Preliminary Geotechnical Investigation, Project Site Risk Assessment Site Risk Assessment: Channel Stability Is the overall channel stable or unstable because of system-wide degradation and aggradation?

Qbankfull

Vertical Qbankfull offset

April 20097A-72 USDA-FS: Wayne NF, Eastern Region Ohio Department of Transportation Designing for Aquatic Organism Passage at Road-Stream Crossings 7A. Site Assessment: Field Measurements and Interpretations Channel Cross Sections, Characterizing Channel-Bed Sediments and Channel-Bank Material, Preliminary Geotechnical Investigation, Project Site Risk Assessment Site Risk Assessment: Vertical Adjustment Potential What is the potential range of channel-bed elevations over the service life of the structure from scour and fill processes during floods, sediment and wood inputs from debris flows and/or debris torrents, loss or formation of debris jams, land-use changes, etc.?

% gradient channel-bed profile difference maximum pool elevation segment between residual number distance between top of bank/floodplain distance downstream (ft) change length successive pool depth of grade grade controls 2 cross section location 164.1grade control 328.1492.2segment (m) (m) 656.2 gradient segments (m) controls 820.3(m) 984. 3 ptc-H pool tail crest, high stability A 0.29 16.21 0.0178 n/a 0.47 2 16.2 ptc-M pool tail crest, moderate stability B 0.12 24.85 0.0050 -71.9 0.10 2 24.9 st-H step, high stability C 0.82 56.45 0.0145 190.4 0.33 4 18.9, 31.0, 6.6 lw-M log weir, moderate stability D 0.54 28.25 0.0193 32.9 0.70 3 17.6, 10.6 lw-L log weir, low stability E 0.22 3.35 0.0665 245.2 0.30 2 3.4 slope segments (A,B,C,D,E,F,G,H) culvert 0.08 21.97 0.0037 -94.4 1.34 2 22.0 upper vertical adjustment potential line downstream lower vertical adjustment potential line F 1.74 71.40 0.0243 551.5 0.25 3 44.4, 27.0 ExGisting 0.39 culv 20.19ert 0.0192design -21.0 0.52elevation 2 20.2 a design channel-bed profile 1 (S=0.0226) diameterF,G 2.12 3.1 91.60m 0.0232 -4.6 0.52 4 44.4, 27.0, 20.2 60.8b,c ptc-H H 1.43 46.12 0.0309 0.21 3 28.1, 18.0

lw-M design bedform locations (head of riffles) control point length 22 m A fill plungelw-M pool with channel-bed material a. Percent gradient difference when compared to slope segment F. base of footing of replacement structure (on bedrock) b. Percent gradient difference when compared to slope segment G. B lw-M predicted long-termC bed surface (headcut,ptc-M erosion) c. When comparedculvert to combined slope segmentsrock of F and G, the percent gradient difference is 33.3% lw-L ptc-M

2 lw-L D distance downstream (ft) weir 3 4 0 164.1 328.1492.2E 656.2 820.3reference 984.3 103 reach 337.9 5 ptc-H 102 6 334.7 tributary downstream 101 { Existing culvert st-H design elevation 331.4 bedrock diameter 3.1 m F ptc-M ptc-H

lw-M control point 100 sedimentlength 22 m A lw-M 328.1

B lw-M t) ptc-M ptc-M 99 C wedge culvert rock f lw-L

ptc-M 324.8 lw-L 2 ptc-H D weir 8 98 3 4 G ock E reference 321.5 upstream 7 reach nel 97 5 ptc-H 6 9 318.3 tributary plunge bedrock along { 96design elevation bedrock F right bank sedimentpool bedrock,ptc-M left bank 315.010 95 control point 1 wedge ptc-M elative elevation( 8 of plunge pool ptc-H 311.7 elative elevation (m) elevation elative r r G bedrock 7

upstream ptc-H 94 channel plunge 9 308.4 design elevation bedrock along H ptc-H eration = 10 93 right bank pool bedrock, left bank 10 control point 1 of plunge pool 305.1 92 301.9 vertical exaggeration = 10 73 5091 100 150 200 250298.6 300 0 50 100 150 200 250 300 distancedistance downstream downst ream (m) (m)

April 20097A-73 USDA-FS: Wayne NF, Eastern Region Ohio Department of Transportation Designing for Aquatic Organism Passage at Road-Stream Crossings 7A. Site Assessment: Field Measurements and Interpretations Channel Cross Sections, Characterizing Channel-Bed Sediments and Channel-Bank Material, Preliminary Geotechnical Investigation, Project Site Risk Assessment Site Risk Assessment: Headcut Potential What are the ecological implications for allowing headcutting to occur as the channel adjusts to establish a new equilibrium condition? Existing culvert design elevation diameter 3.1 m ptc-H

lw-M control point length 22 m A lw-M

B lw-M C ptc-M culvert rock lw-L ptc-M

2 lw-L D weir 3 4 E reference reach 5 ptc-H 6

tributary { bedrock F sediment ptc-M

wedge ptc-M

8 ptc-H G ck upstream 7 nel plunge 9 design elevation bedrock along right bank pool bedrock, left bank control point 1 of plunge pool eration = 10 74 50 100 150 200 250 distance downstream (m)

April 20097A-74 USDA-FS: Wayne NF, Eastern Region Ohio Department of Transportation Designing for Aquatic Organism Passage at Road-Stream Crossings 7A. Site Assessment: Field Measurements and Interpretations Channel Cross Sections, Characterizing Channel-Bed Sediments and Channel-Bank Material, Preliminary Geotechnical Investigation, Project Site Risk Assessment XS3 Site Risk Assessment: t

Lateral Adjustment Potential a rf/nm o

o XS4 l Can channel migration or lateral

l shifting over the service life of O t the structure affect existing XS5 Interpreted stream/culvert alignment? culvert channel XS6 pattern rf/nm 220 S Rd 2 SF U rf/nm XS7 rf/nm N Proposed

placement XS8 fp/lt of structure EXPLANATION valley margin t bedrock bankfull flow floodprone width fp/lt XS9 large woody debris pool tail crest t step t terrace fp/lt floodplain or low terrace rf/nm road fill or75 native material culvert XS10 log weir

April 20097A-75 USDA-FS: Wayne NF, Eastern Region Ohio Department of Transportation Designing for Aquatic Organism Passage at Road-Stream Crossings 7A. Site Assessment: Field Measurements and Interpretations Channel Cross Sections, Characterizing Channel-Bed Sediments and Channel-Bank Material, Preliminary Geotechnical Investigation, Project Site Risk Assessment Site Risk Assessment: Floodplain Inundation/Connectivity Is floodplain function and connectivity important to the fluvial system and ecological processes?

April 20097A-76 USDA-FS: Wayne NF, Eastern Region Ohio Department of Transportation Designing for Aquatic Organism Passage at Road-Stream Crossings 7A. Site Assessment: Field Measurements and Interpretations Channel Cross Sections, Characterizing Channel-Bed Sediments and Channel-Bank Material, Preliminary Geotechnical Investigation, Project Site Risk Assessment Stevens Creek Site Risk Assessment: Olympic NF Washington Floodplain Inundation/Connectivity fp/lt Is floodplain function and connectivity XS2

tributary fp/lt important to the fluvial system and Interpreted ecological processes? channel XS3 pattern pond fp/lt

XS4

XS5 N

0 20 m XS6 berm

pond existing culvert XS7

EXPLANATION rm tributary valley margin e bankfull flow b XS8 fp/lt floodplain/lo w terrace

fp/lt debris jam pond

XS9 berm

fp/lt

debris jam 77

April 20097A-77 USDA-FS: Wayne NF, Eastern Region Ohio Department of Transportation Designing for Aquatic Organism Passage at Road-Stream Crossings 7A. Site Assessment: Field Measurements and Interpretations Channel Cross Sections, Characterizing Channel-Bed Sediments and Channel-Bank Material, Preliminary Geotechnical Investigation, Project Site Risk Assessment Stevens Creek Site Risk Assessment: Olympic NF Washington Floodplain Inundation/Connectivity fp/lt

XS3 XS2 tributary fp/lt Interpreted channel fp/lt XS3 pattern pond pond XS4 construct fp/lt

side channels XS4

XS5 N XS5 N

0 20 m

XS6 020 m berm

XS6 remove existing culvert berm XS7 EXPLANATION

tributary valley margin remove culvert bankfull flow XS8 fp/lt floodplain/lo w terrace

debris jam XS7 fp/lt install wider structure pond XS9 berm

EXPLANATION fp/lt tributary construct valley margin debris78 jam channel bankfull flow XS8

April 20097A-78 USDA-FS: Wayne NF, Eastern Region Ohio Department of Transportation Designing for Aquatic Organism Passage at Road-Stream Crossings 7A. Site Assessment: Field Measurements and Interpretations Channel Cross Sections, Characterizing Channel-Bed Sediments and Channel-Bank Material, Preliminary Geotechnical Investigation, Project Site Risk Assessment Site Assessment Summary • Describe channel features well upstream and downstream from the road crossing. • Take the appropriate number of measurements that sufficiently represents site variability and complexity. • Predict past and potential channel changes at the road- stream crossing with respect to channel stability, channel-bed vertical adjustment, channel headcutting, channel lateral adjustment, and floodplain inundation/connectivity. • Integrate channel characteristics and dimensions from the natural channel in the design channel so it has the capability to laterally and vertically adjust to a wide range floods and sediment/wood inputs without compromising the movement and habitat needs of fish and other aquatic organisms. 79

April 20097A-79 USDA-FS: Wayne NF, Eastern Region Ohio Department of Transportation Designing for Aquatic Organism Passage at Road-Stream Crossings 7A. Site Assessment: Field Measurements and Interpretations Channel Cross Sections, Characterizing Channel-Bed Sediments and Channel-Bank Material, Preliminary Geotechnical Investigation, Project Site Risk Assessment Selected References and Recommended Readings • Bunte, K.; Abt, S.R.; 2001. Sampling Surface and Subsurface Particle-Size Distributions in Wadable Gravel- and Cobble-Bed Streams for Analyses in Sediment Transport, Hydraulics, and Streambed Monitoring. USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station General Technical Report RMRS-GTR-74. Fort Collins, CO. • Federal Interagency Stream Restoration Working Group (FISRWG). 1998. Stream Corridor Restoration: Principles, Processes, and Practices. Federal Interagency Stream Restoration Working Group (15 Federal agencies of the United States Government). ISBN-0-934213-59-3. • Harrelson, C.; Rawlins, C.; Potyondy, J. 1994. Stream Channel Reference Sites: an Illustrated Guide to Field Technique. USDA Forest Service General Technical Report RM-245. Fort Collins, CO. 61 p. • Knighton, D. 1998. Fluvial Forms and Processes. New York: John Wiley and Sons. 383 p. • Montgomery, D.R.; Buffington, J.M. 1997. Channel-reach morphology in mountain drainage basins. Geological Society of America Bulletin. 109. 596-611. • Montgomery, D.R.; MacDonald, L.H. 2002. Diagnostic approach to stream channel assessment and monitoring. Journal of the American Water Resources Asssociation. 38. 1-16. • Ritter, D.F.; Kochel, R.C.; Miller, J.R. 1995. Process Geomorphology. Dubuque, IA: Brown Publishers. 538 p. • Rosgen, D. 1996. Applied River Morphology. Pagosa Springs, CO: Wildland Hydrology. • Simon, A. 1989. A model of channel response in disturbed alluvial channels. Earth Surface Process and Landforms. 14. 11-26. • Simon, A.; Downs, P.W. 1995. An interdisciplinary approach to evaluation of potential instability in alluvial channels. Geomorphology. 12. 215-232. • Thorne, C.R.; Hey, R.D.; Newsom, M.D. 1997. Applied Fluvial Geomorphology for80 River Engineering and Management (Editors). John Wiley and Sons. New York, NY.

April 20097A-80 USDA-FS: Wayne NF, Eastern Region Ohio Department of Transportation