C. Natural Stream Processes

Natural Stream Processes Guide No. 03

Streams in their natural state are dy- agency officials, and others to start a recycle nutrients from natural pollution namic ecosystems that perform many thoughtful inquiry into the true source sources, such as leaf fall, to purifying beneficial functions. Natural streams of local stream management problems. the water. The natural stream tends and their flood plains convey water The material contained in this guide to maintain itself through the flushing and sediment, temporarily store excess makes evident that the source of many flows of annual floods that clear the flood water, filter and entrap sediment stream problems is in the watershed, channel of accumulated sediments, and pollutants in overbank areas, far from the main stream channel. debris, and encroaching vegetation. recharge and discharge groundwater, Landowners, local officials, and oth- Extreme floods may severely disrupt naturally purify instream flows, and ers concerned with streams need to the stream on occasion, but the natural provide supportive habitat for diverse work together across property lines balance of the stream ecosystem is plant and animal species. The stream and jurisdictional boundaries to find restored rapidly when it is in a state of corridors wherein these beneficial func- suitable solutions to stream problems dynamic equilibrium. tions occur give definition to the land and to implement practices to protect, and offer “riverscapes” with aesthetic restore and maintain healthy stream qualities that are attractive to people. ecosystems. Channel Forming Human activities that impact stream and Reconditioning ecosystems can and often do cause Streams are problems by impairing stream functions Processes and beneficial uses of the resource. Dynamic Ecosystems Solving stream management problems Flowing water contributes sig- requires knowledge and understanding Streams in their natural condition nificantly to erosion and the shaping of of the stream’s natural processes, and typically exist in a state of dynamic most land masses. During the evolution since many problems originate beyond equilibrium. When a stream is in dy- of a landscape, stream characteristics the banks, a watershed approach. namic equilibrium, the amount of sedi- develop including: drainage density, This Ohio Stream Management ment delivered to the channel from the stream order, and longitudinal profile Guide provides an overview of the watershed is in long-term balance with (Figure 1). Erosion in watersheds un- stream’s natural processes and of the the capacity of the stream to transport affected by human disturbances takes human impacts on stream ecosystems. and discharge the sediment. A balance place at geologic rates. During any The information provided here can be also exists between communities of given year, the majority of waterborne used by land managers, watershed aquatic organisms inhabiting a stream sediment is redeposited within the groups, river conservationists, public and the biochemical processes that watershed as colluvium at the base

WATERSHED BOUNDARY 1 1 1 1 3 2 BASIN 3 DIVIDE 3 2 1 4 1 1 2 1 1 3 1 ION OS 2 1 ER AGGREGATION BASIN 1 OUTLET 1 1,2,3,4 = STRAHLER’S ALLUVIUM STREAM ORDER MOUTH OF STREAM (a) PLAN(a) VIEW Plan OF viewBASIN of basin (b) LONGITUDINAL(b) Longitudinal PROFILE ALONG profile MAIN along STREAM main stream

Figure 1. Drainage Basin and Longitudinal Profile Along Stream Bankfull flows play long-term regime of climate, landform, STORM RAINFALL a primary role in form- geology (including soils) and resultant TIME TO PEAK FLOW ing and reconditioning vegetation. Each channel reach has PEAK FLOW channels. Bankfull flows its own unique history of flow condi- in natural watersheds of tions and regime factors giving rise URBANIZED WATERSHED CONDITION humid areas, like Ohio, to its general features. A river system occur about every 1.5 may contain many different channel PEAK FLOW years on average. The full types each transitioning from one to NATURAL WATERSHED CONDITION range of rising and falling another. REDUCTION IN discharges associated Natural channels can be broadly BASE FLOW with these runoff events grouped into alluvial channels and is involved in the channel hard-bed or rock-bed channels. The STREAMFLOW DISCHARGE, Q forming and recondition- bed and banks of alluvial channels TIME, T ing processes. The fre- consist of riverine deposits that allow Natural watershed condition with high quency of bankfull flows for relatively rapid adjustment of chan- infiltration capacity, large amount of basin nel geometry in response to changes storage, and long travel time for runoff to may increase significantly reach stream station of hydrograph with changes in land use, in flow conditions and sediment load. disrupting stream stability. Hard-bed or rock-bed channels are Urbanized watershed condition with low infiltration capacity, minimal amount of basin Flood flows along streams relatively resistant to down cutting but storage, and short travel time for runoff to in response to precipi- may have alluvial banks that allow for reach stream station of hydrograph tation are a function of rapid lateral adjustments. Sediment many factors including: deposits may cover portions of a hard- Figure 2. Hydrographs of Streamflow Discharge basin area, infiltration ca- bed or rock-bed channel giving it the Before and After Urbanization pacity, and time of travel appearance of an alluvial channel. of slopes or as alluvium and sediment of flows (figure 2). Basins Alluvial channels in a given drainage bars along streams. The amount of with high infiltration capacity and a long basin tend to share similarity in their sediment discharged from the basin time of travel, tend to generate peak hydraulic geometry, that is, the mean generally represents a small percent- flood flows of lesser magnitude than depth, top width and velocity relation- age of the gross erosion occurring in those in similarly sized drainage areas ships for typical cross sections. Coarse the watershed. Longitudinal profiles of with lower infiltration capacities and materials characterize alluvial channel channel bottom elevation from stream shorter time of travel. beds in headwater areas; fine materials mouth to headwater divide typically dominate the lower channel reaches. exhibit upward concavity with steepest Channel Types and Natural channels in plan view can gradients in headwater areas and flat- be considered to be either straight, test gradients toward the mouth. This Patterns meandering or braided. The distinc- concave shape is the end result of tion between straight and meandering erosion and deposition as the stream General features of natural streams channels depends on the degree of matures. are the result of physical, chemical sinuosity, that is, the ratio of channel Down cutting or incising of a stream and biological processes reflecting a length to valley length. Channels with by erosion is ultimately controlled by its �� base level, that is, the elevation of a �� grade control such as resilient bedrock or the confluence with a larger, stable stream of the channel network. A stream �� that has adjusted its longitudinal profile �� to a local base level, sediment load and �� flow regime, and is no longer degrading �� (down cutting) or aggrading (rising due to sediment deposition) is referred to as �� a poised or graded stream. Under these conditions, the amount of sediment delivered to the stream is in balance with �� the capacity of the stream to discharge �� it. During periods of medium and low �� flow, tributaries may deliver sediment to the main channel where it is deposited as bars at the confluence until a flood occurs giving the main stream sufficient energy to dislodge and transport the Figure 3. Plan View of Staright, Braided and Meandering Channel Forms. sediment downstream. sinuosity greater BOUNDARY OF MEANDER BELT than 1.5 are generally considered to be SINE WAVE BANK BANK OVERFLOW meandering. Braided PATTERN BUILDING EROSION CHANNEL channels contain sediment bars that cause multiple channels to form during EROSION- low-flow conditions. RESISTANT DEPOSIT Straight, meandering EXISTING or braided channels CHANNEL FUTURE CHANNEL E POSITION may change from O AK XBOW L SILTED one form to another OXBOW over time such that a continuum exists between the three Figure 4. Meandering Stream in an Alluvial Floodplain channel patterns (Figure 3). the continuity equation, the energy equation, and Manning's equation. Meander forms of alluvial streams The continuity equation expresses tend to exhibit sine wave patterns of Stream flow one of the fundamental principles of predictable geometry, but non-unifor- Dynamics stream flow dynamics. It states that mities in the alluvial deposits along the discharge passing a channel cross streams and flood plains generally Flow in natural channels normally section is equal to the cross-sectional disrupts the regular pattern. Nonuni- occurs as turbulent, gradually-varied area multiplied by the average veloc- formities consisting of erosion resistant flow. Under conditions of gradually- ity of flow. Average velocity is used materials can slow the progression varied flow, the stream’s velocity, cross- in the equation because velocity is of bank erosion at meander bends section, bed slope, and roughness vary not uniformily distributed in a chan- causing cutoffs and oxbow channels from section to section, but the changes nel cross sections due to boundary to form making the stream develop occur gradually enough that formulae shear resistance and other factors. an irregular winding pattern. All of the for steady-uniform flow can be applied Velocity distribution at channel bends various positions that a meandering in analysis. Steady-uniform flow occurs is significantly affected by deflection of stream occupies over time defines a when conditions at any given point in faster moving water to the outside of the meander belt with outer boundaries at the channel remain the same over time bend due to centrifugal force (Figure the extreme meander positions (Figure and velocity of flow along any stream- 5). This redistribution of velocity and 4). The meandering pattern typical of line (line of flow) remains constant in energy is an essential part of meander many alluvial streams is an adjustment both magnitude and direction. Basic formation. of the stream to its most stable form. formulae used to analyze flow in natural Stream flow involves expenditure Meanders lengthen a stream’s course channels, as discussed below, include: of energy wherein potential energy of and decrease its gradient thereby effecting a balance between stream energy and sediment load. ACTIVE BANKFULL TERRACE It is possible to make qualitative FLOODPLAIN STAGE predictions of stream response to changes in discharge, sediment load, 2.5 2.0 1.5 base level and stream bank condi- 1.0 CHANNEL 0.5 1.0 = AVERAGE tion. For example, a sudden increase BOTTOM CHANNEL VELOCITY in sediment load to a stream typically causes an alluvial channel to widen, (a) STRAIGHT CHANNEL and with sufficient loading the stream may become braided. Lowering of the BANKFULL base level of an alluvial stream is typi- STAGE cally followed by channel down cutting 2.5 1.0 = AVERAGE 2.0 upstream along the main stem and 0.5 1.5 CHANNEL its tributaries. Removal of streamside CHANNEL 1.0 VELOCITY vegetation from a meandering alluvial BOTTOM channel generally accelerates the me- (b) CHANNEL BEND andering process.

Figure 5. Cross Sections of Natural Channels Showing Velocity Distributions the water due to position and force of 2 HORIZONTAL LINE PARALLEL TO DATUM gravity is converted to kinetic energy V1 h e = ENERGY LOSSES 2g ENERGY GRADE LINE of motion. The energy equation ex- WATER SURF presses the relationship between the ACE V 2 2 = VELOCITY HEAD elevation head, velocity head and en- V 2g ergy disipation required to move water 1 and sediment. Energy losses include d 1 = WATER DEPTH V2 d2 those due to friction and expansion or FLOW contraction of flow. Friction losses are CHANNEL determined by applying the Manning BOTTOM z equation. Simultaneous solution of the 1 =HEIGHT ABOVE ELEVATION DATUM z2 continuity equation, energy equation and Manning equation allows for cal- ELEVATION DATUM culation of water surface profiles and Continuity Equation average velocities of flow (Figure 6). Q = (V)(A) Flow disturbances caused by chan- where: Q = discharge; V = velocity; A = cross-sectional area of channel nel obstructions, sinuosity, and chan- Energy Equation 2 2 nel roughness, create different forms V1 V2 +d +z 1 = + d +z +h e of large-scale turbulence that are 2g 1 2g 2 2 important because of their connec- where: g = gravity constant tion to channel erosion and sediment h e = energy losses (friction losses + expansion and contraction losses) transport processes. All forms of z = elevation head turbulence originate with boundary Manning’s Equation 2 1 roughness, the most important being Q = (1.5/n)(A)(R 3 )(S 2 ) and R = A/P sinuosity and alternation of pools and where: n = Manning’s roughness coefficient, R = hydraulic radius bars. The strength of turbulence varies P = wetted perimeter, and S = friction slope with stream stage, increasing with each 2 2 Energy Dissipation V1 V2 rising stage to a peak when streams de- h e = (S)(L) + C 2g - 2g velop maximum energy. Forms of large- where L = reach length scale turbulence include: rhythmic and C = coefficient of expansion or contraction surges, bottom rollers, bank eddies, vortex action, transverse oscillation, Figure 6. Stream Channel Profile: Slope Relationships for Gradually helicoidal flow, standing waves, sand Varied Flow ripple waves, and antidunes. tends to armor banks and create flow Boils are a form of large-scale and increasing bank height. This leads retarding roughness that protects banks turbulence that play a significant role to instability and slumping of banks from scour. in the bank caving process. Boils de- when flow recedes, thus removing hy- velop when stream flow encounters drostatic support from the bank (Figure Sediment Load in obstructions or irregularities along the 7). Scouring of stream banks by fast Streams stream bed causing water to surge moving water can cause “pop-outs” vertically to the surface. Stream bed and slab-type failures of material from Sediment production in water- material adjacent to banks may be near vertical banks as well as undercut- sheds is generated by sheet, rill and moved upward into the current by boils ting and toppling of streamside trees. gully erosion including mass wasting causing deepening of the channel bed Dense root masses of streamside trees at gully headcuts. Mass movement of

��

Figure 7. Stream Boil Turbulence Resulting in Bank Failure material by slow, down slope creep and bars and crossing bars of meandering during passage of floods is referred to landslides may also contribute to sedi- alluvial streams. These depositional as bank storage and returns relatively ment production. Eroded material that features may undergo considerable dis- quickly to the stream after high flows reaches streams combines with mate- turbance during the passage of floods recede. rial eroded from channel bed and banks as sediment is eroded, transported, Alluvial flood plains and riparian to create the sediment load—boulders, and redeposited. In a stable sinuous wetlands are significant ground wa- cobbles, gravels, sand, silt, and clay channel, straightening of the axis of flow ter source areas that are effective in particles. The sediment load, dissolved occurs during floods so that material sustaining stream flows during dry minerals, and organic matter in streams on crossing bars and point bars may weather periods. Good sustained base constitutes the total solids load. be eroded, transported and redepos- flow is highly beneficial to many forms Dissolved minerals and suspended ited downstream leaving depositional of aquatic life. It lessens the impact of sediment (material kept in suspension features with new material but largely water quality problems caused by con- by fluid turbulence) are important fac- unchanged in form, size, and location centration of pollutants and depletion tors affecting the water quality of a (Figure 8). of dissolved oxygen during dry weather stream and often comprise a dispropor- periods. In addition, a stream with good tionately large amount of the total solids Base-Flow base-flow characteristics that ceases load, but it is the bed load sediment that flowing during drought may continue is of primarily significance for channel Characteristics of to discharge water along its course stability. Bed load consists of mate- Streams through porous bed material. This sub- rial that is moved by sliding, rolling or surface flow is important for survival bouncing along the bed. Tractive force During dry weather periods, flow in of many aquatic animals that normally developed by the stream acts in the natural streams is sustained primarily by inhabit the stream bed or burrow into it direction of flow on the channel bed and ground water discharging from quifers during drought. banks, dislodging and moving material (water bearing formations) intercepted downstream. Calculations can be made by the channels. These dry weather Stream Ecology and to determine allowable tractive forces flows, or base flows, typically exhibit and permissible velocities for stable the chemical properties of the ground- Natural Purification channels. water. Streams flowing on bedrock Processes Stream power is the energy ex- generally have relatively low sustained pended by the stream in discharging base flows, whereas streams formed in Natural streams are dynamic sys- water and sediment. The more energy glacial outwash material consisting of tems that convey, store, and transform the stream has, the more sediment it sands and gravel have relatively high water, sediment, and organic matter. can carry. During floods, when a stream base flows. Streams flowing across The transformations involve: physical has higher energy levels, it may erode glacial till and along end moraines processes—aeration, dispersion cur- the bed and banks of the channel to may receive moderate contributions of rents, sedimentation; chemical pro- balance the energy and sediment load. ground water to sustain base flows from cesses—photosynthesis, metabolism; Straightening a meandering channel sand and gravel lenses in the glacial and biological processes—biological generally increases stream energy and deposits. The natural base-flow regime flocculation and precipitation that act the potential for erosion. Over a long of many streams is significantly altered in concert to naturally purify the water. period of time, the majority of sediment by regulation caused by reservoirs, Aerobic purification processes require transported by a stream is carried by stream intakes, well fields, wastewater free oxygen and are dominant in natural the bankfull flows. Stream competence treatment plants and other facilities. streams, although important anaerobic refers to the sediment load a stream The amount of ground water con- processes occur as well where free can carry at bankfull flow. tributing to stream flow varies along oxygen is absent. When flood flows recede, stream the channel and according to the Organic matter and nutrients in energy is dissipated and sediment is hydraulic gradient in the contributing streams are decomposed and resyn- deposited. The deposits are of predict- aquifer. When stream level is below thesized through chemical reactions able form and location such as the point the bordering ground water table, a in association with aquatic organisms. positive gradient The material is transformed by the CONCAVE BANK exists and ground cycles of nitrogen, phosphorus, carbon water flows into and sulfur in aerobic decomposition. POINT BAR ON CONVEX BANK the stream. If the These processes create biochemical A B bordering water oxygen demand that depletes dissolved B A table declines be- oxygen in the water. Reoxygenation is THALWEG low stream level, effected through aeration, absorption CROSSING BAR seepage may flow and photosynthesis. Riffles and other A - A = MEDIUM TO LOW FLOWS B - B = RISING FLOOD STAGES from the stream natural turbulence in streams enhance into the aquifer. aeration and oxygen absorption. Aquatic Figure 8. Axis of Main Current Along a Sinuous Channel Water that seeps plants add oxygen to the water through into stream banks transpiration. Oxygen production from photosynthesis of aquatic plants, pri- • viruses (poliomyelitis) its biological integrity. Biological integ- marily blue-green algae, slows down rity has been defined as “the ability of or ceases at night creating a diurnal Streams in their natural state tend an aquatic ecosystem to support and or daily fluctuation in dissolved oxy- to maintain a dynamic balance between maintain a balanced, integrated, adap- gen levels in streams. The amount of populations of aquatic organisms and tive community of organisms having dissolved oxygen a stream can retain available food. The population dynam- a species composition, diversity, and increases as water temperatures cool ics of the communities of aquatic organ- functional organization comparable and concentration of dissolved solids isms in stream ecosystems involve: to that of the natural habitats of the diminish. substrate utilization, the food web, nutri- region.” (Karr and Dudley, 1981) Fish and other aquatic organisms ent spiraling, and the growth curve. Survival of the many species of that utilize the dissolved oxygen in Waste organic substances in organisms found in natural streams water for respiration may suffocate if streams form the substrate on which depends on the integrity of the water oxygen levels are severely depleted. microorganisms grow and become resource. Five principal factors and Excessive loading of streams with or- part of the food web. Growth of micro- some of their important chemical, physi- ganic matter and nutrients from point organisms follows sequent portions of cal and biological components that and nonpoint-source discharges can the growth curve including: nutriently influence and determine the integrity create significant biochemical oxygen unrestricted exponential growth, nutri- of surface water resources (from Yoder demand and reduce dissolved oxygen ently restricted growth, and stationary and Rankin, 1995) are as follows: to critical levels. Nu- or declining growth due trient enrichment of Streams that are to environmental condi- flow regime streams may cause al- physically complex tions. Population growth precipitation and runoff, high- or low- gae to rapidly multiply, of the microorganisms flow extremes, velocity of flow, ground bloom, die and decom- and healthy have is a metabolic response water component, land use. pose during low-flow to food under specific habitat structure periods resulting in a relatively high stream conditions. channel morphology, pool-riffle se- severe oxygen deple- nutrient assimilative Nutrients circulate quence, bed material, gradient, in- tion and fish kills. from surface to substrate stream cover, canopy, substrate, Aquatic organ- capacity, which is as they flow downstream current, sinuosity, siltation, riparian isms that inhabit natu- needed to maintain and are continuously vegetation, channel width/depth ratio, ral streams may be available to bacteria, al- bank stability. grouped (from Fair, good water quality. gae, fungi, invertebrates, Geyer, and Okun, fish and other aquatic energy source 1968) as follows: organisms. The circulation, capture, sunlight, organic matter inputs, nu- release and recapture of nutrients is trients, seasonal cycles, primary and aquatic plants termed nutrient spiraling. The ability secondary production. • seed bearing plants of a stream to assimilate nutrients and plants attached to stream bed or store them in the living tissue of plants chemical variables banks and animals is termed its assimilative dissolved oxygen, temperature, pH, free floating plants (duckweed) capacity. Streams that are physically alkalinity, solubilities, adsorption, nutri- • mosses and liverworts complex and healthy have a relatively ents, organics, hardness, turbidity. • ferns and horsetails high nutrient assimilative capacity, • primitive plants (algae) which is needed to maintain good water biotic factors quality. reproduction, disease, parasitism, aquatic animals The quality of water in a stream is feeding, predation, competition. • vertebrates manifest by its physical and chemical fish properties, and by the composition and The status of factors determining amphibians health of the aquatic organisms that live the integrity of the stream resource • invertebrates in the stream. The presence of larvae of depend in large measure on the con- mollusks (mussels, snails, slugs) stoneflies, caddisflies, and dragonflies, dition of riparian zones, flood plains, arthropods (crustaceans, insects, for example, generally indicates good valleys and watersheds. Vegetated spiders, mites) quality water; whereas, large popula- riparian zones filter overland runoff, worms tions of rat tail maggot, blood worm, trap sediment, and utilize phosphorus protozoa and sewage fungus indicate polluted adhering to sediment particles. Ground aquatic molds, bacteria, vi- water. Ecological interpretations can water near the surface in riparian ruses be made based on what associations of areas creates conditions that support • true fungi (phycomycetes, fungi organisms should be in the stream, and cyclical transformations of nitrogen, imperfecti) recognition of abnormal numbers, asso- phosphorus, carbon and sulfur. De- • bacteria(streptococcus, escherichia ciations, and conditions of living things. nitrification of nitrates is one of these coli, nitrosomanas, nitrobacter, In other words, the condition or health beggiatoa) of a stream ecosystem is reflected by important transformations. Vegetated • excessive nonpoint-source pollution this overall objective will require that riparian zones, vital to the health of including siltation and nutrient enrich- attention be given to all of the principal streams, may nevertheless be over- ment; factors influencing and determining the whelmed by accelerated runoff, sedi- • deterioration of stream substrate integrity of the water resource, that is, ment, and pollution from mismanaged quality and stability; flow regime, habitat structure, energy watersheds. The health of stream source, chemical variables and biotic ecosystems and the condition of ripar- • destabilization of stream banks and factors. An important first step in the ian zones, flood plains, valleys, and channel bottom directly by such things stream management process is defin- watersheds are interdependent. as livestock grazing and instream min- ing specific management objectives. ing or indirectly by land use changes Stream management objectives that and damaging land management will apply in most situations include Human Impacts on practices; the following: Stream Systems • separation of streams from their nor- • to increase public awareness of the Planned and unplanned changes in mal ground water table and elimination value of natural stream corridors and one or more features of a stream eco- of riparian wetlands by dredging and their beneficial functions; system by human activity generally trig- induced down cutting of streams; gers additional changes in other stream • to promote acceptance of streams as features that can disrupt the stream’s • modification of normal water tempera- dynamic systems that inherently flood natural processes, impair natural func- ture regime by removal of tree canopy and meander; tions and result in loss of beneficial or alteration of base flow regime; uses. These negative consequences • to effect wide-spread adoption of best are often unanticipated by people in • introduction of exotic species that management practices in watersheds the watershed community. disrupt the dynamic balance of the in order to minimize human impacts on Stream systems are impacted by hu- riverine ecosystem. stream ecosystems; man activities that make use of stream resources, and by human occupancy The cumulative results of damaging • to protect existing stream resources and use of flood plains and uplands. Im- human impacts on stream systems from unnecessary degradation and pacts can result from direct disturbance include the following: restore stream resources where ap- of natural streams through such things propriate and feasible; as channelization and point discharge • degradation of the physical, chemical of pollutants to receiving waters. Im- and biological integrity of the water • to work with the stream in an environ- pacts may also arise more indirectly resource; mentally sensitive manner consistent through damaging land management with the stream’s natural processes; practices and nonpoint-source pollu- • reduction of life-supporting complexity tion in watersheds. In many situations, and diversity of the riverine ecosystem, • to have active citizen involvement streams are responding in a complex that is, ecosystem simplification; in stream monitoring, protection, and manner to multiple disturbances and restoration efforts. sources of pollution that have occurred • impairment of beneficial functions and over a long period of time. natural stream processes; Watershed The most damaging impacts result from changes in the basic structure and • loss of beneficial uses of stream Approach to Stream functioning of the stream ecosystem. resources, that is, water supply, rec- Management (Doppelt, et al., 1993) These impacts reation, fish consumption and aquatic include the following: life uses. When trying to understand the stream’s natural processes and how • changes in water quantity and flow Stream Management stream management problems might regime by diversions, drainage proj- be addressed, it is generally useful ects and land use changes (see Figure Objectives to take a watershed perspective and 2); look at the stream as a system, both The overall objective of stream spatially and in time. Stream restoration • modification of channel and riparian management coincides with the princi- measures are more likely to succeed ecosystem morphology by channel- pal objective of the Clean Water Act—to if formulated with a good knowledge ization, damming, and removal of restore and maintain the physical, of the past history of the stream, and streamside vegetation; chemical and biological integrity of the an accurate assessment of its current water resource and achieve full attain- status and likely future tendencies. • degradation of chemical water quality ment for designated uses. Achieving Factors affecting stream processes that by addition of contaminants; can be changed, such as land management practices, must be distinguished from factors that generally cannot be Press, Washington D. C. changed—geology and climate. In most Fair, Gordon M., J. C. Geyer, D. A. Okun, ~ cases, it is more practical and advisable 1968. Water and Wastewater Engi- Resources. Single copies are available to work with the stream, rather than neering, Vol.2, Chapter 32, “Aquatic free of charge and may be reproduced. against it. Biology” and Chapter 33, “Ecology Please contact: Management of stream resources and Management of Receiving Wa- requires multi-disciplinary knowledge ters,” John Wiley & Sons, New York, ODNR of: (1) the climatic environment; (2) New York. Division of Soil and Water Resources geologic factors, including soil condi- Harvey, Michael D., C. C. Watson, 1986. 2045 Morse Road, Bldg B tions; (3) surface water and ground “Fluvial Processes and Morphological Columbus, Ohio 43229-6693 water hydrology; (4) stream channel Thresholds in Incised Channel Res- hydraulics; (5) sedimentation; (6) fluvial toration,” Water Resources Bulletin, The guides are also available on- geomorphology; (7) stream ecology; American Water Resources Associa- line as web pages and PDF files so (8) watershed management; and (9) tion, Herndon, Virginia. you may print high quality originals at social, cultural, economic and political Heede, Burchard H., 1986. “Designing your location. You will find the guides constraints. A team of knowledgeable for Dynamic Equilibrium in Streams,” on-line at: individuals is generally needed to accu- Vol. 22, No.3, Water Resources Bul- rately assess the factors contributing to letin, American Water Resources http://www.ohiodnr.gov/soilandwater/ stream problems and to find suitable so- Association, Herndon, Virginia. lutions. Stream management depends Leopold, Luna B., 1994. A View of the upon bringing together people with a River, Harvard University Press, great diversity of interests, knowledge, Cambridge, Massachusetts. and background of experience. Maidment, David R., Editor, 1993. Hand- There are many stream manage- book of Hydrology, McGraw-Hill, Inc., ment techniques and remedial action New York, New York. measures for addressing specific Ohio Department of Natural Resources, problem areas. Management initiatives, 1993. “Stream Management Policy,” however, must do more than simply Columbus, Ohio. treat symptoms of problems; they Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, must address the root causes of the 1994. “Natural Channel Systems: problems to be of lasting effect. Suc- An Approach to Management and cess in stream management requires a Design,” Toronto, Ontario. strategy for protecting existing stream Rosgen, David L., 1996. Applied River resources from further degradation by Morphology, Wildland Hydrology, addressing the causes of problems Pagosa Springs, Colorado. while selectively restoring impaired Simons, Daryl B., F. Senturk, 1992. Sedi- channel reaches to the extent fea- ment Transport Technology: Water sible and appropriate. Implementation and Sediment Dynamics, Water of such basin-wide strategies may Resources Publications, Highlands best be accomplished through com- Ranch, Colorado. munity-based, watershed-ecosystem Yoder, Chris O., E. T. Rankin, 1995. “The approaches. Above all, to be effective, Role of Biological Criteria in Water Prepared by the Ohio Department of stream management activities and sup- Quality Monitoring, Assessment, and Natural Resources, Michael Schiefer, P.E., portive public policies and programs Regulation,” Ohio Environmental Pro- Division of Soil and Water Resources, must be connected to how streams tection Agency, Columbus, Ohio. principal author. Input from staff of several actually function. ODNR divisions, and local, state and federal agencies are used in the development This Guide is one of a series of Ohio of the Ohio Stream Management Guides. REFERENCES Stream Management Guides covering Funding for the production of the Ohio a variety of watershed and stream Stream Management Guides is provided management issues and methods of in part through a grant under Section 319 Beschta, Robert L., W .S. Platts, 1968. of the federal Clean Water Act. addressing stream related problems. “Morphological Features of Small Guides are available on-line at: Streams: Significance and Function,” The overview Guides listed below, are http://www.ohiodnr.gov/soilandwater/ Water Resources Bulletin, Vol.22, intended to give the reader an under- No.3, American Water Resources standing of the functions and values of Association, Herndon, Virginia. streams. For more information about Chow, Ven T., 1959. Open Channel Hy- stream management programs, issues and methodologies, see Guide 05 S draulics, McGraw-Hill, Inc., New York, S O O E I s h L C e i R c o A r Index of Titles or call the ODNR Divi- D U u N o New York. e D O s p S e E R a r W A T R R l t m E r a Dopplet, Bob et al., 1993. Entering the sion of Soil and Water Resources at e n t o f N a t u Watershed: A New Approach to Save 614/265-6739. All Guides are available An equal opportunity employer--M/F/H. America’s River Ecosystems, Island from the Ohio Department of Natural Printed on recycled paper