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Historical Channel Changes and Processes of the Central Bitterroot River Ravalli County Montana

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Historical Channel Changes and Processes of the Central Bitterroot River Ravalli County Montana University of Montana ScholarWorks at University of Montana Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers Graduate School 1997 Historical channel changes and processes of the central Bitterroot River Ravalli County Montana David Gaeuman The University of Montana Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.umt.edu/etd Let us know how access to this document benefits ou.y Recommended Citation Gaeuman, David, "Historical channel changes and processes of the central Bitterroot River Ravalli County Montana" (1997). Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers. 7743. https://scholarworks.umt.edu/etd/7743 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate School at ScholarWorks at University of Montana. It has been accepted for inclusion in Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks at University of Montana. For more information, please contact [email protected]. 1 L Maureen and Mike MANSFIELD LIBRARY The University ofIVIONTANA Pennission is granted by the author to reproduce tliis material in its entirety, provided that this material is used for scholarly purposes and is properly cited in published works and reports. ** Please check Tcj" or and provide signature** Yes, I grant permission ^ No, I do not grant permission Author’s Signât Date 9^ 9 y Any copying for commercial purposes or financial gain may be undertaken only wit the author's explicit consent. HISTORICAL CHANNEL CHANGES AND PROCESSES OF THE CENTRAL BITTERROOT RIVER, RAVALLI COUNTY, MONTANA by David Gaeuman B.A., The University of Colorado, 1988 Presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts The University of Montana 1997 Approved by: Dean, Graduate School 9 7 Date UMI Number: EP38544 All rights reserved INFORMATION TO ALL USERS The quality of this reproduction is dependent upon the quality of the copy submitted. In the unlikely event that the author did not send a complete manuscript and there are missing pages, these will be noted. Also, if material had to be removed, a note will indicate the deletion. UMT OiMtrtation Publiching UMI EP38544 Published by ProQuest LLC (2013). Copyright in the Dissertation held by the Author. Microform Edition © ProQuest LLC. All rights reserved. This work is protected against unauthorized copying under Title 17, United States Code ProQuest LLC. 789 East Eisenhower Parkway P.O. Box 1346 Ann Arbor, Ml 48106 - 1346 ABSTRACT Gaeuman, David, M.A., Summer, 1997 Historical Channel Changes and Processes of the Central Bitterroot River, Ravalli County, Montana Director: John J. Donahue A high rate of channel shifting on the Bitterroot River poses a threat to floodplain property between the towns of Hamilton and Stevensville, Montana. Aerial photography covering a 50-year interval, output from a hydrologie computer model, and physiographic data were analyzed by a variety of GIS and statistical methods to document historic changes in the channel network, derive morphometric parameters, and correlate these parameters with stream response. Through much of its length, the river exhibits a complex multi-thread channel pattern with characteristics of both braiding and anastomosis. A predominantly-braided main channel system is embedded in an anastomosing network of narrow, sinuous minor channels. The zone of non-vegetated gravels associated with the main braided channel system (the braid belt) has widened and straightened since 1937. In addition to this widening, severe bank erosion is indicated by frequent bank slumps and toppled trees. However, lateral channel migration appears to be relatively restricted. A tendency for cut-off chutes to eliminate bends counteracts the lateral bend displacement associated with bank erosion. Chutes and other forms of channel overflow are encouraged by the presence of low banks throughout the study area. Major changes in channel configuration outside the braid belt are characterized by widening of some channels coupled with narrowing of others, rather than by substantial changes in the positions of individual channels. The complex network of minor channels found on the valley bottom may be genetically related to groundwater discharge, which promotes basal sapping and headward retreat of small channel headcuts on the floodplain. Similar groundwater sapping also contributes substantially to bank failure and channel widening throughout the system. Channel multiplicity also appears to be controlled by irregularities in valley gradient. Bifurcation of independent floodplain channels is more pronounced in reaches where the valley gradient is abnormally steep. Conversely, reaches of abnormally low gradient are comparatively narrow, straight, and simple in channel pattern. Previous workers have attributed the channel pattern of the central Bitterroot River to tectonically-induced aggradation. This theory is not supported by the available evidence. II ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Access to some of the aerial photography used in this study was provided by staff at the Stevensville District of the Bitterroot National Forest. Thanks also to Pat Vahn and the staff at the Bitterroot Conservation District of the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation for the use of additional photography and other assistance. Valley cross sectional data, WSP2 computer software, and software documentation were provided by Joe Van Mullem of the USD A Natural Resources and Conservation Service. Mike Stickney of the Montana Bureau of Mines provided information concerning recorded seismicity in the study area. Well monitoring data were obtained from the USGS office in Helena. Finally I would like to thank my advisor. Professor John Donahue, for his guidance and Professors Don Potts and Jeff Gritzner for serving on my committee. in CONTENTS LIST OF FIGURES...............................................................................................................vii LIST OF TABLES................................................................................................................viii CHAPTER 1. INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................1 Problem Statement .............................................................................................................1 Overview of the Study Area..............................................................................................1 Summary of Previous Work ............................................................................................. 2 Project Objectives............................................................................................................. 5 Hypotheses..........................................................................................................................5 CHAPTER 2. PHYSIOGRAPHY OF THE BITTERROOT VALLEY........................... 6 Hydrologie Summary........................................................................................................6 Climate and Vegetation .....................................................................................................7 Structural Geology ............................................................................................................ 8 Surficial Geology ............................................................................................................... 9 Tertiary.........................................................................................................................9 Quaternary................................................................................................................... 9 CHAPTER 3. DATA AND METHODS .............................................................................. 11 Aerial Photography ..........................................................................................................11 DNRC/NRCS Data ...........................................................................................................13 Estimation ofBankfull Water Surface Elevation....................................................... 13 Digital Elevation Model Analysis ................................................................................... 16 Database Variables ...........................................................................................................17 Statistical Analysis ............................................................................................................19 Synthesis o f Valley Gradient Indices..........................................................................20 SGVR.....................................................................................................................20 Sk...........................................................................................................................22 Field Observation ............................................................................................................ 24 Well Level Data ................................................................................................................24 CHAPTER 4. QUALITATIVE DESCRIPTION AND OBSERVATIONS .................... 25 Channel Morphology ....................................................................................................... 25 IV Nodes of Braid Belt Branching ........................................................................................27 Braid Belt Discontinuity in 1937...................................................................................
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