EPA 841-B-07-002 July 2007

National Management Measures to Control Nonpoint Source Pollution from Hydromodification

Cover, Disclaimer, Table of Contents

Full document available at http://www.epa.gov/owow/nps/hydromod/index.htm

Assessment and Watershed Protection Division Office of Water U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

United States Environmental Protection Agency Office of Water Washington, DC 20460 (4503T)

EPA 841-B-07-002 July 2007

National Management Measures to Control Nonpoint Source Pollution from Hydromodification

Nonpoint Source Control Branch Office of Wetlands, Oceans and Watersheds U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Office of Water

July 2007

Disclaimer

This document provides technical guidance to states, territories, authorized tribes, and the public for managing hydromodification and reducing associated nonpoint source pollution of surface and ground water. At times, this document refers to statutory and regulatory provisions, which contain legally binding requirements. This document does not substitute for those provisions or regulations, nor is it a regulation itself. Thus, it does not impose legally-binding requirements on EPA, states, territories, authorized tribes, or the public and may not apply to a particular situation based upon the circumstances. EPA, state, territory, and authorized tribe decision makers retain the discretion to adopt approaches to manage hydromodification and reduce associated NPS pollution of surface and ground water on a case-by-case basis that differ from this guidance where appropriate. EPA may change this guidance in the future.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Chapter 1: Introduction...... 1-1 What is Hydromodification?...... 1-1 Why is NPS Guidance on Hydromodification Important? ...... 1-2 Purpose and Scope of the Guidance...... 1-4 Document Organization...... 1-4 Activities to Control NPS Pollution...... 1-5 Historical Perspective ...... 1-5 Federal Programs and Funding ...... 1-5 Introduction to Management Measures ...... 1-7 Channelization and Channel Modification (Chapter 3)...... 1-8 Dams (Chapter 4)...... 1-9 Streambank and Shoreline (Chapter 5)...... 1-9

Chapter 2: Background ...... 2-1 Key Geomorphic Functions of Streams...... 2-1 Discharge, Slope, and Sinuosity ...... 2-1 Erosion, Transport, and Deposition of Sediment...... 2-2 Dynamic Equilibrium...... 2-2 Longitudinal View of Channels...... 2-4 Disruption of Dynamic Equilibrium ...... 2-6 General Impacts of Channelization and Channel Modifications ...... 2-6 Physical Impacts ...... 2-6 Chemical Impacts...... 2-7 Biological and Habitat Impacts...... 2-8 Impacts Associated with Specific Hydromodification Actions...... 2-10 Channel Straightening and Deepening...... 2-10 Channel Lining...... 2-10 Channel Narrowing...... 2-11 Channel Widening ...... 2-11 Culverts and Bridges...... 2-11 Urbanization...... 2-12 Agricultural Drainage ...... 2-13 Shorelines...... 2-14 Shoreline Processes...... 2-14 Deposition and Erosion...... 2-15 Common Natural and Anthropogenic Causes of Coastal Land Loss ...... 2-16 Impacts Associated with Dams...... 2-16 Water Quality in the Impoundment/Reservoir...... 2-18 Water Quality Downstream of a Dam ...... 2-21 Suspended Sediment and Reduced Discharge ...... 2-21 Biological and Habitat Impacts...... 2-22 Impacts Associated with Dam Removal...... 2-23 Physical Changes: Upstream Impacts...... 2-24 Physical Changes: Downstream Impacts...... 2-24

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Biological Changes: Upstream Impacts...... 2-25 Biological Changes: Downstream Impacts...... 2-26

Chapter 3: Channelization and Channel Modification...... 3-1 Management Measure 1: Physical and Chemical Characteristics of Channelized or Modified Surface Waters ...... 3-2 Management Practices for Management Measure 1...... 3-3 Planning and Evaluation ...... 3-3 Operation and Maintenance Programs...... 3-4 Grade Control Structures ...... 3-4 Levees, Setback Levees, and Floodwalls...... 3-5 Noneroding Roadways...... 3-5 Streambank Protection and Instream Sediment Load Controls ...... 3-6 Vegetative Cover ...... 3-7 Summary of Physical and Chemical Practices...... 3-8 Management Measure 2: Instream and Riparian Habitat Restoration...... 3-10 Management Practices for Management Measure 2...... 3-10 Planning and Evaluation ...... 3-11 Biological Methods/Models...... 3-11 Temperature Restoration Practices ...... 3-12 Geomorphic Assessment Techniques ...... 3-13 Expert Judgment and Checklists...... 3-16 Operation and Maintenance Activities...... 3-16

Chapter 4: Dams ...... 4-1 Management Measure 3: Erosion and for the Construction of New Dams and Maintenance of Existing Dams...... 4-4 Management Practices for Management Measure 3...... 4-5 Practices ...... 4-5 Runoff Control...... 4-7 Erosion and Sediment Control (ESC) Plans ...... 4-8 Management Measure 4: Chemical and Pollutant Control at Dams...... 4-10 Management Practices for Management Measure 4...... 4-11 Management Measure 5: Protection of Surface Water Quality and Instream and Riparian Habitat...... 4-12 Management Practices for Management Measure 5...... 4-14 Practices for Improving Water Quality...... 4-14 Watershed Protection Practices...... 4-15 Reservoir Aeration Practices...... 4-16 Practices to Improve Oxygen Levels in Tailwaters ...... 4-16 Practices to Restore or Maintain Aquatic and Riparian Habitat...... 4-17 Practices to Maintain Fish Passage...... 4-18 Removal of Dams ...... 4-19

Chapter 5: Streambank and Shoreline Erosion ...... 5-1 Management Measure 6: Eroding Streambanks and Shorelines...... 5-3 Management Practices for Management Measure 6...... 5-5

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Vegetative Practices...... 5-5 Structural Approaches...... 5-7 Integrated Systems...... 5-8 Planning and Regulatory Approaches...... 5-9

Chapter 6: Guiding Principles...... 6-1 Using a Watershed Approach ...... 6-3 Smart Growth...... 6-6 Low Impact Development...... 6-7 Project Design Considerations...... 6-8 General Design Factors...... 6-8 Assessment...... 6-9 Engineering Considerations...... 6-10 Incorporating Monitoring and Maintenance of Structures...... 6-11

Chapter 7: Practices for Implementing Management Measures...... 7-1 Advanced Hydroelectric Turbines ...... 7-7 Bank Shaping and Planting...... 7-9 Beach Nourishment...... 7-10 Behavioral Barriers ...... 7-12 Branch Packing ...... 7-14 Breakwaters...... 7-15 Brush Layering...... 7-17 Brush Mattressing ...... 7-19 Bulkheads and Seawalls...... 7-21 Check Dams...... 7-22 Coconut Fiber Roll...... 7-23 Collection Systems...... 7-25 Construct Runoff Intercepts...... 7-26 Constructed Spawning Beds ...... 7-27 Construction Management...... 7-28 Dormant Post Plantings...... 7-29 Encourage Drainage Protection ...... 7-30 Equipment Runoff Control ...... 7-31 Erosion and Sediment Control (ESC) Plans ...... 7-32 Erosion Control Blankets...... 7-35 Establish and Protect Stream Buffers ...... 7-37 Fish Ladders...... 7-38 Fish Lifts ...... 7-40 Flow Augmentation ...... 7-41 Fuel and Maintenance Staging Areas ...... 7-43 Gated Conduits...... 7-44 Groins...... 7-45 Identify and Address NPS Contributions...... 7-46 Erosion Control ...... 7-46 Mine Reclamation...... 7-46 Animal Waste Control ...... 7-47

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Correcting Failing Septic Systems...... 7-47 Land Use Planning...... 7-47 Identify and Preserve Critical Areas...... 7-48 Conservation Easements ...... 7-48 Leases...... 7-49 Deed Restrictions...... 7-49 Covenants...... 7-49 Transfer of Development Rights (TDRs) ...... 7-49 Joint Planting ...... 7-50 Labyrinth Weir...... 7-51 Levees, Setback Levees, and Floodwalls...... 7-52 Live Cribwalls...... 7-54 Live Fascines ...... 7-56 Live Staking...... 7-58 Locate Potential Land Disturbing Activities Away from Critical Areas...... 7-60 Marsh Creation and Restoration ...... 7-61 Modifying Operational Procedures...... 7-62 Mulching...... 7-63 Noneroding Roadways...... 7-64 General Road Construction Considerations...... 7-64 Road Shape and Composition...... 7-65 Slope Stabilization ...... 7-65 Wetland Road Considerations...... 7-66 Pesticide and Fertilizer Management...... 7-67 Phase Construction...... 7-69 Physical Barriers ...... 7-70 Pollutant Runoff Control...... 7-72 Preserve Onsite Vegetation...... 7-73 Reregulation Weir...... 7-74 Reservoir Aeration...... 7-75 Retaining Walls...... 7-77 Return Walls ...... 7-78 Revegetate...... 7-79 Revetment ...... 7-80 Riparian Improvements...... 7-82 Riprap...... 7-83 Root Wad Revetments ...... 7-84 Rosgen’s Stream Classification Method...... 7-86 Scheduling Projects...... 7-88 Sediment Basins/Rock Dams...... 7-89 Sediment Fences ...... 7-91 Sediment Traps ...... 7-92 Seeding...... 7-93 Selective Withdrawal...... 7-94 Setbacks ...... 7-95 Shoreline Sensitivity Assessment ...... 7-97

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Environmental Sensitivity Mapping ...... 7-97 USGS Coastal Classification (Coastal & Marine Geology Program) ...... 7-98 USGS National Assessment of Coastal Vulnerability to Sea-Level Rise...... 7-98 Site Fingerprinting ...... 7-99 Sodding ...... 7-100 Soil Protection...... 7-101 Spill and Water Budgets ...... 7-102 Spill Prevention and Control Program...... 7-103 Spillway Modifications...... 7-104 Surface Roughening...... 7-105 Toe Protection...... 7-106 Training—ESC ...... 7-107 Transference of Fish Runs ...... 7-108 Tree Armoring, Fencing, and Retaining Walls or Tree Wells...... 7-109 Tree Revetments ...... 7-110 Turbine Operation...... 7-112 Turbine Venting...... 7-113 Vegetated Buffers ...... 7-114 Vegetated Filter Strips ...... 7-115 Vegetated Gabions...... 7-116 Vegetated Geogrids...... 7-118 Vegetated Reinforced Soil Slope (VRSS) ...... 7-120 Water Conveyances ...... 7-121 Wildflower Cover ...... 7-122 Wind Erosion Controls ...... 7-123 Wing Deflectors...... 7-124

Chapter 8: Modeling Information ...... 8-1 Available Models and Assessment Approaches ...... 8-2 Examples of Channel Modification Activities and Associated Models/Practices...... 8-15 Modeling for Impoundments ...... 8-15 Modeling for Estuary Tidal Flow Restrictions ...... 8-15 Modeling for Estuary Flow Regime Alterations...... 8-16 Temperature Restoration Practices ...... 8-16 Selecting Appropriate Models ...... 8-17

Chapter 9: Dam Removal Requirements, Process, and Techniques...... 9-1 Requirements for Removing Dams...... 9-1 Dam Removal Process ...... 9-2 Sediment Removal Techniques...... 9-3

References Cited ...... References-1

Additional Resources...... Resources-1

Appendix A: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Contacts...... A-1

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Figures Figure 2.1 Cross-section of a Stream Channel...... 2-1 Figure 2.2 Factors Affecting Channel Degradation and Aggradation ...... 2-3 Figure 2.3 Example of Aggradation...... 2-4 Figure 2.4 Three Longitudinal Profile Zones ...... 2-5 Figure 2.5 Overview of a Pool, Riffle, and Run ...... 2-5 Figure 5.1 Shoreline Erosion: Before and After Photos ...... 5-1 Figure 7.1 Dune Nourishment...... 7-10 Figure 7.2 Dry Beach Nourishment...... 7-10 Figure 7.3 Profile Nourishment ...... 7-11 Figure 7.4 Nearshore Bar Nourishment...... 7-11 Figure 7.5 Branch Packing...... 7-14 Figure 7.6 Breakwaters – View of Presque Isle, Pennsylvania ...... 7-15 Figure 7.7 Single and Multiple Breakwaters ...... 7-16 Figure 7.8 Brush Layering: Plan View ...... 7-17 Figure 7.9 Brush Layering: Fill Method...... 7-18 Figure 7.10 Brush Mattress...... 7-20 Figure 7.11 Typical Bulkhead Types...... 7-21 Figure 7.12 Coconut Fiber Roll ...... 7-23 Figure 7.13 Coconut Fiber Roll ...... 7-24 Figure 7.14 Live Posts ...... 7-29 Figure 7.15 Erosion Control Blanket...... 7-35 Figure 7.16 Fish Ladder at Feather River Hatchery, Oroville Dam, CA...... 7-38 Figure 7.17 Possible Planform Shapes for Groins...... 7-45 Figure 7.18 Transition from Groin Field to Natural Shoreline...... 7-45 Figure 7.19 Joint Planting...... 7-50 Figure 7.20 Live Cribwall...... 7-55 Figure 7.21 Live Fascine...... 7-57 Figure 7.22 Live Staking...... 7-59 Figure 7.23 Types of Road Surface Shapes...... 7-65 Figure 7.24 Revetment Alternatives ...... 7-81 Figure 7.25 Riprap Diagram ...... 7-83

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Figure 7.26 Root Wad, Log, and Boulder Revetment with Footer: Plan View...... 7-84 Figure 7.27 Rootwad, Log, and Boulder Revetment with Footer: Section...... 7-85 Figure 7.28 Tree Revetment ...... 7-110 Figure 7.29 Tree Revetment: Section View...... 7-111 Figure 7.30 Vegetated Gabion ...... 7-116 Figure 7.31 Vegetated Geogrid...... 7-119 Figure 7.32 VRSS Structure After Construction ...... 7-120 Figure 7.33 Established VRSS Structure...... 7-120

Tables Table 1.1 Leading Sources of Water Quality Impairment Related to Human Activities for Rivers, Lakes, and Estuaries ...... 1-3 Table 2.1 Common Causes of Coastal Land Loss ...... 2-16 Table 4.1 Types of Dams...... 4-2 Table 4.2 Examples of Erosion and Sediment Control Plan Requirements for Select States ..... 4-8 Table 7.1 Practices for Hydromodification Management Measures ...... 7-2 Table 8.1 Models Applicable to Hydromodification Activities...... 8-2 Table 8.2 Assessment Models and Approaches...... 8-10

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