Assignment - Spend 30 minutes with each of these resources and outline their contents – in addition to required reading stated in syllabus
Bunte, Kristin, and Abt, Steven R., 2001, http://www.fs.fed.us/rm/pubs/rmrs_gtr74/
Barnes, Harry H., Jr., 1967, http://pubs.usgs.gov/wsp/wsp_1849/html/pdf.html
Jefferson N. Keaton, Terence Messinger, and Edward J. Doheny, 2005, http://pubs.water.usgs.gov/sir2005-5076/
Self-Formed vs. Relict/Non-fluvial Streams Bunte, Kristin, & Abt, Steven R., 2001
Self-formed streams Sediment almost entirely from upstream sources, bed, and erosion of banks. Sediment transported under current transport regime.
Stream morphology and sediment sizes are exclusively controlled by interaction between flow and sediment. Stream bed contains no particles larger than those moved during highest floods.
Because sediment in self-formed streams is not coupled to hillslopes and other non-fluvial sources, such systems are also referred to as uncoupled streams.
Relict/non-fluvial streams Bunte, Kristin, & Abt, Steven R., 2001 Relict/non-fluvial streams receive much of their sediment from non-fluvial sources, such as: mass movements (debris flows, rock-fall, landslides, etc.) intensive bank undercutting and slumping downcutting into glacial deposits that unearths large boulders that may be untransportable erosion of bank material deposited under a different regime of flow or sediment supply.
Streams receiving sediment supply from relict-fluvial and non-fluvial sources are often referred to as coupled. Coupled streams are common in mountain areas, where nearby hill slopes or glacial deposits contribute to sediment supply. Presence of large cobbles and boulders may cause unsystematic spatial variability of bed material size.
1 Bunte, Kristin, and Abt, Steven R., 2001, Sampling Surface and Subsurface Particle-Size DIstributions in Wadable Gravel- and Cobble-Bed Streams for Analysis in Sediment Transport, Hydraulic and Streambed Monitoring, U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service Rocky Mountain Research Station General Technical Report RMRS-GTR-74, 428 p.
Parent Directory for All Chapters: http://www.fs.fed.us/rm/pubs/rmrs_gtr74/
e.g. Particle size in φ-units: φ = -log2(Di)
Barnes, Harry H., Jr., 1967, Roughness Characteristics of Natural Channels, U.S. Geological Survey, Water Supply Paper 1849 http://pubs.usgs.gov/wsp/wsp_1849/html/pdf.html Compare http://pubs.usgs.gov/wsp/wsp_1849/pdf/wsp_1849_h.pdf http://pubs.usgs.gov/wsp/wsp_1849/pdf/wsp_1849_b.pdf
Manning Equation metric units V = (R0.667 S0.5) / n
"American" units
V = 1.49 (R0.667 S0.5) / n
Regional Curves (of Hydraulic Geometry)
Keaton, Jefferson N. , Messinger, Terence , and Doheny, Edward J. , 2005, Development and Analysis of Regional Curves for Streams in the Non-Urban Valley and Ridge Physiographic Province, Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia, U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2005-5076, 109 p. http://pubs.usgs.gov/sir/2005/5076/
Also see NRCS Regional Hydraulic Geometry Curves http://wmc.ar.nrcs.usda.gov/technical/HHSWR/Geomorphic/index.html
2 What is the Work of a Stream?
• Water-Delivery System • Sediment-Transport System – Ignore this function: other systems will not work properly • Framework for Ecosystem Structure • (More on this tonight)
ECOLOGICAL FUNCTION OF STREAMS Borrowing Heavily from Workshop Presentation by J. Todd Petty West Virginia University
Stream Habitats GEO 493/427
Lecture 6 Fall 2006
Blackwater River
3 THE HABITAT TEMPLATE: CROSS-SECTIONAL VIEW
Channel • Surface Water • Stream Bed • Hyporheic Zone Floodplain (Riparian) Zone Plant communities contiguous to and affected by streams. Usually has direct influence on stream structure & function.
THE HABITAT TEMPLATE: CROSS-SECTIONAL VIEW
RIPARIAN SHRUBS (alder, slippery elm, TERRACE ASSEMBLAGE box elder, red willow) (oak, sassafras, dogwood, mt. Laurel, white ash) FLOODPLAIN FOREST DEPOSITIONAL BAR (hackberry, black walnut (herbaceous vegetation; american elm, sycamore) willow, sycamore, or cottonwood seedlings)
T2 T2 T1 T1 Floodplain Floodplain
Alluvium Bedrock
Depositional Bar Channel Shelf
Eric N. Davis, 2000. Modified from Osterkamp and Hupp, 1984.
4 THE HABITAT TEMPLATE: CROSS-SECTIONAL VIEW
Concrete Bank: Wyoming Co.,8 July 2002. Photo 7/8/0023
S. Kite Photo
Indian Crk., Rt 16, S of Woosley, Photo 7/ 8 0025 Wyoming Co., 8 July 2002 UTM 451341mE 4150501mN
S. Kite Photo
5 Indian Crk., Rt 16, S of Woosley, WyomingPhoto Co.,7/ 8 July0027 2002. UTM 451341mE 4150501mN
S. Kite Photo
Photo 5/19/0041
Anthony Creek near Alvon, Greenbrier Co. S. Kite Photo
Anthony Creek near Alvon, GreenbrierPhoto Co. 5/19/0023
S. Kite Photo
6 Anthony Creek near Alvon, GreenbrierPhoto 5/19/0011 Co.
Never does nature say one way and wisdom the other. - Juvenal (A.D. 60?-140)
S. Kite Photo
STREAM-CHANNEL HABITATS
Surface Water
Bed Surface
HYPORHEIC ZONE: channel sediment below the bed surface and above bedrock.
HABITAT FUNCTION OF STRUCTURAL COMPONENTS OF A STREAM
COMPONENT FUNCTIONAL ROLE
Dissipates flood energy and water storage; Source FLOODPLAIN of Dissolved Organic Carbon and Nutrients Source of Organic Matter, LWD, and Nutrients; RIPARIAN ZONE Moderates flood flow; Filter sediments and toxic materials; Moderates water temperature (shading) Provide aquatic habitat; Delivers dissolved SURFACE WATER materials (nutrients, carbon, oxygen, ions); Creates habitat complexity via sediment transport Determines flow patterns; Influences accumulation BED SURFACE & retention of organic matter; Substrate for attachment by algae, bacteria, & invertebrates Interchange between surface water & ground water; Nutrient cycling; Refuge for insects & fishes HYPORHEIC ZONE during high flows & if surface water freezes; Nesting for fishes & insects
7 STREAM FOOD WEBS
Allocthonous vs. CPOM Autochthonous
FPOM
STREAM FOOD WEBS
BIOTIC FUNCTIONAL ROLE COMPONENT PRIMARY PRODUCERS ALGAE, PERIPHYTON & (CONVERT LIGHT ENERGY TO BIOMASS) MACROPHYTES
DECOMPOSERS BACTERIA AND FUNGI (PROCESS PARTICULATE AND DISSOLVED ORGANIC MATTER)
PRIMARY & SECONDARY CONSUMERS MACROINVERTEBRATES (CONSUME BACTERIA, ALGAE, AND DETRITUS)
SECONDARY AND TERTIARY VERTEBRATES CONSUMERS (TOP PREDATORS)
INVERTEBRATE FUNCTIONAL FEEDING GROUPS
GROUP FOOD SOURCE SHREDDER CPOM SCRAPER PERIPHYTON COLLECTOR- FPOM GATHERER COLLECTOR- FPOM FILTERER PREDATOR OTHER INSECTS
8 LONGITUDINAL HABITAT VARIATION
RIVER CONTINUUM CONCEPT VANNOTE ET AL. (1980)
Changes in organic matter processing and biological communities are linked to predictable changes in stream habitat continuum.
RIVER CONTINUUM CONCEPT Headwater Streams Groundwater Inputs (& Outputs) Cold-Water Species Narrow Channel Riparian Vegetation High CPOM inputs Shading Allochthonous Energy Important Bacteria, Fungi, & Shredders Important Biological Components of Community Dominant “Energy” Flux: Convert CPOM to FPOM & Biomass; Downstream FPOM Transport
9 RIVER CONTINUUM CONCEPT Mid-Order Streams Wider, Increased Light Increased Temperatures CPOM Inputs Decrease FPOM from Upstream Autotrophic Energy Sources Important Increased Importance of Grazers Communities Diverse & Variable; Overlap of cold- Water, Warm-Water, & Eurythermal Species Dominant “Energy” Flux: Convert FPOM & Periphyton to Biomass.
RIVER CONTINUUM CONCEPT
Large Rivers Extremely Wide & Deep Increased Importance of Turbidity High Temperatures CPOM Inputs Very Low FPOM Accumulation from Upstream Extremely Important Collectors Dominate Low Diversity Communities; Warm- Water Species Dominate Important Floodplain Links Dominant “Energy” Flux: Convert FPOM to Biomass.
10 Mississippi River at Vicksburg, MS
Hierarchy of Streams (after Frissel et al., 1986) Image from Baptist, M.J., 2001
HABITAT SCALES
Stream Segment: Stream section bounded upstream and downstream by the confluence of a perennial tributary or change in valley type.
Stream Reach: Section within a stream segment that is >30- mean stream widths. Should contain 3-4 pool-riffle-pool sequences and / or 3-4 meander bends. (Focus of Rosgen classes)
Hydraulic Channel Unit (= Facet): Relatively homogeneous area within a reach that differs significantly in depth, flow, or bed composition from adjacent areas. An HCU must be at least as long as one mean stream width.
Microhabitat: Relatively homogeneous area within a hydraulic channel unit that differs significantly from surrounding areas. This is scale at which most aquatic organisms make habitat selection decisions.
11 HYDRAULIC CHANNEL UNIT CLASSIFICATION Hawkins et al. (1993)
Slow Water Fast Water
Scour Pools Dammed Pools Turbulent Non-Turbulent
Eddy Debris Falls Sheet Trench Beaver Cascade Run Convergence Landslide Rapids Lateral Backwater Riffle Plunge Abandoned Chute Channel
*** Works well in small (<10 m wide), high gradient (>2% slope) streams.
HYDRAULIC CHANNEL UNIT CLASSIFICATION Petty et al. (2002)
Low Gradient / Slow High Gradient / Fast
Narrow Wide Narrow Wide
Non- Complex Non- Complex Non- Complex Non- Complex Complex Complex Complex Complex
Glide Pocket Water Run Bluff Pool Low Gradient Riffle High Gradient Riffle Bluff Pool / Run Pool Complex
Complex = high microhabitat scale variability in depth, current velocity, and substrate composition Riffle / Run Complex
Designed for larger (>10 m wide), lower gradient (0.5 – 1.5 % slope) streams.
STREAM-CHANNEL HABITATS
G L RUN POOL I RIFFLE D E HYPORHEIC ZONE: channel sediment below the bed surface and above bedrock.
12 RIFFLERIFFLE
RUNRUN
Sustainable Watershed Planning in Ohio - Fundamentals of Aquatic Ecology - www.epa.state.oh.us/dsw/documents/AQECOL_FINAL1.pdf#search=%22riffle%20pool%20glide%20run%22
DRAINAGE-SCALE HETEROGENEITY:
Basin Area = 1,465 ha
DBHW = 6.6 km
Discharge = 0.35 cm3/s W = 8.1 m
Basin Area = 48 ha
DBHW = 1.2 km Basin Area = 1,043 ha
Discharge = 0.01 cm3/s DBHW = 4.8 km W = 2.5 m Discharge = 0.19 cm3/s W = 7.3 m
DRAINAGE-SCALE HETEROGENEITY
Basin Area = 10,300 ha
DBHW = 26.4 km
Discharge = 2.36 cm3/s W = 21.4 m
Basin Area = 1,640 ha
DBHW = 9.5 km
Discharge = 0.58 cm3/s Basin Area = 5,106 ha W = 11.7 m DBHW = 18.1 km
Discharge = 1.00 cm3/s
W = 17.2 m
13 HETEROGENEITY: REACH SCALE
HETEROGENEITY: CHANNEL UNIT SCALE
HCU Tour RIFFLE / CASCADE with PLUNGE POOL
14 RIFFLE
CASCADE
PLUNGE POOL
STEP
STEP & POOL
15 “FORCED” LARGE WOODY DEBRIS (LWD) POOL
LATERAL SCOUR POOL (w/ UNDERCUT BANK)
LOW GRADIENT RIFFLE (LG / WIDE / SIMPLE)
16 GLIDE: (LG / WIDE / SIMPLE)
BLUFF POOL (LG / NARROW / COMPLEX)
LATERAL SCOUR POOL (LG / WIDE / SIMPLE)
17 “POCKET WATER” (LG / WIDE / COMPLEX)
INTERMEDIATE GRADIENT RIFFLE (HG / WIDE / SIMPLE)
BLUFF POOL / RIFFLE COMPLEX (HG / NARROW / COMPLEX)
18 RIFFLE / RUN COMPLEX (HG / WIDE / COMPLEX)
RIFFLE
RUN
Sustainable Watershed Planning in Ohio - Fundamentals of Aquatic Ecology - www.epa.state.oh.us/dsw/documents/AQECOL_FINAL1.pdf#search=%22riffle%20pool%20glide%20run%22
FUNCTIONAL ROLES OF HYDRAULIC CHANNEL UNITS
CHANNEL UNIT FUNCTIONAL ROLE
1. Refuge from high and low flows 2. Refuge from temperature extremes POOLS 3. Refuge from predators & RIFFLE-RUN 4. CPOM capture & retention COMPLEXES 5. Foraging Habitat for drift-feeding fishes and piscivores 1. Fish-spawning habitat 2. High insect productivity RIFFLES 3. FPOM capture & retention in interstitial spaces of bed material 4. Foraging areas for benthic fishes
19 FACTORS INFLUENCING STREAM FISHES 1. Geography and Evolutionary History 2. Stream Size 3. Temperature 4. Oxygen 5. Water Chemistry (particularly acidity in WV) 6. Stream Flow Conditions 7. Substrate 8. Habitat Complexity 9. Food Availability 10.Predator-Prey and Competitive Interactions
GEOGRAPHY AND EVOLUTIONARY HISTORY • 700 freshwater fish species in North America. • Species richness is highest in the Mississippi Basin, within which there are numerous “hotspots” all of which are on the eastern side of the basin (Tennessee River, Clinch River, Elk River, New River).
Teays River Valley
Michael C. Hansen – Ohio Geological Survey November 1995
www.dnr.state.oh.us/ geosurvey/images/ geofacts/no10a.gif
Teays Paleo- Valley
20 Pleistocene Glaciers and Geography Steven Dutch, Natural and Applied Sciences, University of Wisconsin - Green Bay www.uwgb.edu/dutchs/GRAPHIC0/ GEOMORPH/MPLRIVS.GIF
Pleistocene Glaciers and Geography Steven Dutch, Natural and Applied Sciences, University of Wisconsin - Green Bay www.uwgb.edu/dutchs/GRAPHIC0/ GEOMORPH/EPLRIVS.GIF
STREAM SIZE Fish species richness tends to increase downstream as gradient decreases and stream size increases.
Stream Size and Fish Explanation Community Headwater Streams High environmental variability Diversity is lowest Few links among tributaries (isolation) (1 – 2 species) Fish species can withstand extremes, Brook Trout, Sculpin respond quickly to disturbance, and find all they need locally Higher Order Streams Fish diversity increases Increased environmental stability dramatically Increased diversity of food types (7-30 species) (omnivory and piscivory) Suckers, chubs, daces, Increased habitat complexity darters, minnows, shiners, Increased links with tributaries basses, sunfishes (reduced isolation).
21 TEMPERATURE One of most important factors influencing fish distribution
FACTORS INFLUENCING STREAM TEMPERATURE 1. Ambient air temperature 2. Altitude 3. Latitude (insolation) 4. Origin of water (groundwater, runoff, impoundment) 5. Stream depth 6. Stream width 7. Riparian cover
FISH THERMAL PREFERENCES THERMAL CATEGORY EXAMPLES
Coldwater Species (<240C) Trout, Sculpin (do not like it hot)
Warmwater Species (>280C) Largemouth and Smallmouth (do not like it cold) Bass, Carp, Sunfishes, Catfish
Eurythermal Species (22- Creek chub, Blacknose Dace, 300C) (wide thermal tolerance) White Sucker, Fantail Darter
• Preferred / Tolerable ranges vary dramatically among fish species. • Produces predictable changes in fish community structure along an upstream to downstream continuum. • Coldwater species are highly susceptible to habitat degradation because most degradation leads to higher summer temperatures.
THERMAL PREFERENCES
Brook Trout Preferred Range (Salvelinus fontinalis) Trout: 15 – 20 C
1.2 Trout 1
0.8
0.6
Suitability 0.4
0.2
0 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 Temperature (C)
22 THERMAL PREFERENCES
Smallmouth Bass (Micropterus dolomieui)
1.2 Trout 1 SMB Preferred Range 0.8
20 – 26 C 0.6
Suitability 0.4
0.2
0 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 Temperature (C)
SUBSTRATES FUNCTIONAL ROLES OF SURFACE SEDIMENTS 1. Determine surface and interstitial flow patterns (i.e., create flow complexities).
2. Influence organic matter accumulation & retention.
3. Substrate for attachment by primary producers, decomposers, & consumers.
4. Predator, thermal, and flow refugia for fishes & invertebrates.
5. Nest material for fishes and invertebrates.
Fine Sand and silt = least favorable substrates. Gravel, Cobble and Boulder = most favorable. LWD = very import in forested watersheds.
Halliburton, a major oil drilling company will have a representative at the Career Fair in the WVU Engineering Building on Evansdale Campus tomorrow, Oct. 11. They are hiring Summer and permanent employees, and are interested in Geology students with a BS or MS. They are hiring for jobs in the Gulf Coast and the starting salary is around $40,000. The representative, Mr. Emmett Keener will be at the Career Fair from 9 am to 3 pm on Wednesday, Oct. 11.
23 HABITAT SUITABILITY CURVES (Brook Trout)
1 1 0.9 0.9 0.8 0.8 0.7 0.7 12cm 20cm 0.6 0.6 5cm 0.5 0.5 0.4 0.4 0.3 0.3 0.2 0.2 Relative Suitability Relative Suitability 0.1 0.1 0 0 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70 75 Depth (cm) Avg. Current Velocity (cm / sec)
1 0.9 0.8 0.7 0.6 0.5 0.4
Suitability 0.3 0.2 0.1 0 00.511.522.533.544.55 Distance to Cover (m)
TROUT HABITAT SUITABILITY OF HYDRAULIC CHANNEL UNITS
0.24 Bluff Pool and Riffle / Run Complexes 0.20
0.16 sherwin.ws/Dunbar_Creek_Project 0.12 0.08 /Animals/Brook_Trout_001.jpg Frequency 0.04
0.00 0 1 www.fs.fed.us/r1/flathead/fishing_site 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 /fishing/fish_species/brooktrout_files/ 0.24 Glides / Low Gradient Riffles image005.jpg 0.20
0.16
0.12
0.08 Frequency
0.04
0.00 0 1 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9
Habitat Suitability
FUNCTIONAL ROLE OF VEGETATION 1. Shading 2. Bank Stability 3. Sediment Control 4. Storm Flow Mediation 5. Nutrient Inputs 6. Organic Matter Inputs (DOM and CPOM) 7. Large Woody Debris Inputs •Pool Formation & Habitat Complexity •Organic Matter & Nutrient Retention •Aquatic Insect Habitat
24 The Arroyo Problem in the Southwestern U.S.
Brandon J. Vogt USGS
geochange.er.usgs.gov/sw/ impacts/geology/arroyos/
www.cpluhna.nau.edu/images/vogt1.jpeg
FUNCTIONAL ROLE OF VEGETATION
Much Larger NC Stream Showing Proper Dimensions & Importance of Plantings
Photo by Will Harman Michael Baker Corp.
South Fork Mitchell River, Brendle Reach under construction
25 South Fork Mitchell River, Brendle Reach 2 years after… Photo by Will Harman, Michael Baker Corp.
Vegetation = Nature’s Bank
Protection Stabilized by Image from Will Harman, Cross-Vane Michael Baker Corp.
Dense Root Wads Reduce Bank Shear
Mitchell River Basin Photo: J.S. Kite
26 LargeWoodyDebris
HABITAT COMPLEXITY AT ALL SPATIAL SCALES WHAT IS IT GOOD FOR?
Habitat requirements for reproduction, growth, and survivorship within a species are often very different. Same is true for habitat requirements among different species. Therefore, species abundance & diversity are critically dependent on local & regional diversity of habitats.
Burkhead, Noel, 2005, Logperch.mpg, in Logperches: Masters of the Stone: U.S. Geological Survey Florida Integrated Science Center - Center for Aquatic Resource Studies (16mg download): http://cars.er.usgs.gov/Southeastern_Aquatic_Fauna/ Freshwater_Fishes/Logperch/Logperch.mpg
USFS Photo
27 Brook Trout Life Stages
USFS Photo
/www.sportfishingbc.com/images/bc_brookie3.jpg Todd Petty Photo
USFS Photo USFS Photo
HABITAT COMPLEXITY: Brook Trout Example
LIFE STAGE HABITAT REQUIREMENT
REPRODUCTION Spawning Low velocity flow with intermediate sized substrates, down-welling & upwelling. Juvenile Rearing Low velocity marginal areas with fine substrates.
FEEDING Large Adults Deep, high velocity microhabitats adjacent to deep, low velocity resting areas. Juveniles and Intermediate depth, high velocity microhabitats Small Adults adjacent to low velocity resting areas
SURVIVORSHIP Temperature Deep pools near groundwater inputs. High flows Slack water refuges associated with large in-stream obstructions. Predators Deep areas with overhead cover.
HUMAN ACTIVITIES THAT AFFECT STREAMS
1. Agriculture 2. Mining 3. Urbanization & Development 4. Road Construction 5. Chemical and Manufacturing Industries 6. Forestry 7. Navigation Structures (e.g. Locks & Dams) 8. Dams (Lancaster Co. PA, >400 historic mill dams) 9. Levees 10. Channelization & Cut-Offs
28 Impact of “Cow Ramps” on Flood Flows
Trimble, Stanley W., & Mendel, Alexandra C., 1995, The cow as a geomorphic agent - a critical review: Geomorphology (13) p. 233-253
Image from Baptist, 2001
Peppler, Marie C. & Photo: Randy Mentz Fitzpatrick, Faith A., 2005
Methods for Monitoring the Effects of Grazing Management on Bank Erosion and Channel Morphology, Fever River, Pioneer Farm, Wisconsin, 2004 USGS Fact Sheet 2005-3134
http://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/2005/3134/ Before Grazing
Scratching Area & Cattle Paths After Grazing
PRIMARY LIMITS ON STREAM FISHERIES 1. WATER CHEMISTRY • Acid Mine Drainage • Acid Precipitation • Toxic Effluent (e.g. Hormones, Personal Hygiene Products, Caffeine ) • Excessive Nutrients (e.g. Ag Land) 2. EROSION / SEDIMENTATION / TURBIDITY • Upland Sources: Ag Fields, Gullies, Construction, Unpaved Roads • Bank Scour: Unstable Banks, Riparian Vegetation Loss 3. LOSS OF CHANNEL COMPLEXITY • Changes to Channel Geometry (increased width/depth ratio) • Sedimentation • LWD / Boulder Removals • Channelization or Dredging 4. ELEVATED WATER TEMPERATURE • Loss of Riparian Vegetation • Changes in Channel Geometry • Reduced or Alteration of Groundwater / Surface Runoff Balance • Thermal Pollution (e.g. Power Plants)
29 Synthesizing U.S. River Restoration Efforts
E. S. Bernhardt et al., 2005, Synthesizing U.S. River Restoration Efforts: Science, v. 308, p. 636-637.
http://www.geo.wvu.edu/%7Ekite/BernhardtEtAl2005_SynthesisUSRiverRest.pdf
Evidence that Degradation of Running Waters Is at All-time High
>1/3 of rivers in the United States are listed as impaired or polluted Freshwater withdrawals in some regions are so extreme that major rivers no longer flow to the sea year round. Extinction rates of freshwater fauna are five times that for terrestrial biota.
River Re$toration Has Become Highly Profitable Busine$$ >$1,000,000,000 Dollars/Year (since 1990). River restoration will play increasing role in environmental management & policy decisions. Most restoration projects are small scale (less than 1 km of stream length) Information on their implementation & outcome is not readily accessible. This prompted a database of river restoration across the US with the goal of determining common elements of successful projects.
30 Synthesis of 37,099 projects in NRRSS (National River Restoration Science Synthesis) database. Number of river restoration projects increased exponentially between 1995 and 2005. Restoration efforts varied across geographic regions. Most projects (88%) are from Pacific Northwest, Chesapeake Bay watershed, or California
Bernhardt et al., 2005, Synthesizing U.S. River Restoration Efforts: Science, v. 308, p. 636-637.
Bernhardt et al., 2005, Synthesizing U.S. River Restoration Efforts: Science, v. 308, p. 636-637.
31 MEDIAN COSTS FOR GOAL CATEGORIES NRRSS goal category Median cost Examples of common restoration activities Aesthetics/recreation/education (A/R/E) $63,000 Cleaning (e.g., trash removal) Bank stabilization (BS) $42,000 Revegetation, bank grading Channel reconfiguration (CR) $120,000 Bank or channel reshaping Dam removal/retrofit (DR/R) $98,000 Revegetation Fish passage (FP) $30,000 Fish ladders installed Floodplain reconnection (FR) $207,000 Bank or channel reshaping Flow modification (FM) $198,000 Flow regime enhancement In-stream habitat improvement (IHI) $20,000 Boulders/woody debris added In-stream species management (ISM) $77,000 Native species reintroduction Land acquisition (LA) $812,000 Riparian management (RM) $15,000 Livestock exclusion Storm-water management (SM) $180,000 Wetland construction Water quality management (WQM) $19,000 Riparian buffer creation/maintenance
Where is the Low-Hanging Fruit?
Most Commonly Stated Goals for River Restoration in the U.S.A.
Enhance Water Quality Manage Riparian Zones, Improve In-Stream Habitat Fish Passage Bank Stabilization
Projects with these goals are typically small in scale with median costs of <$45K.
CUMULATIVE COSTS FOR GOAL CATEGORIES
NRRSS goal category $$ Water quality management (WQM) $$ Riparian management (RM) Instream habitat improvement (IHI) Fish passage (FP) Bank stabilization (BS) Flow modification (FM) Aesthetics/recreation/education (A/R/E) Channel reconfiguration (CR) Dam removal/retrofit (DR/R) Stormwater management (SM) Floodplain reconnection (FR) In-stream species management (ISM) Land Acquisition (LA)
Where are the Cash Cows?
32 Large Proportion of Restoration Dollars on Fewer, More-Expensive Projects
Reconnecting Floodplains Modifying Flows Improving Aesthetics or Recreation Reconfiguring Channels
Assessment & Monitoring
Only 10% of project records indicated any form of assessment or monitoring. Most of these ~3700 projects were not designed to evaluate consequences of restoration or disseminate monitoring results. Monitoring and assessment varied by region: • 6% of projects in Chesapeake Bay Watershed • >20% of projects in Southwest, Southeast, Central USA Projects with Higher Costs More Likely to be Monitored Greater effort is needed to gather & disseminate data on restoration methods and outcomes, particularly given the costs.
33