Sediment Impacts from Disturbed and Undisturbed Lands

The acquisition and meaningful interpretation of sediment data from areas disturbed by land-use activities or natural processes are two of the most deficient areas of recognizing nonpoint-source pollution in the United States. The comparison of sediment data from disturbed and undisturbed areas provides a means to (1) evaluate the effects that land-use activities cause, (2) investigate the geomorphic processes that regulate the detachment and transport of sediment, and (3) develop strategies for remedial action to reduce excessive sediment discharges. This information is especially necessary to minimize sediment discharges and sorbed chemical loads from surface-mine, industrial, agricultural, and urban areas. Objectives of this project are to (1)evaluate the extent and utility of sediment data from a variety of land-use areas; (2) predict the movement of sediment from drainange basins affected by those land uses; and (3) assess existing techniques and develop new ones based on geomorphic principles and the application of statistics, geochemistry, and botany to the limited data available as aids in improving our interpretive capabilities.

REPORTS PUBLISHED 1999-2008

Osterkamp, W. R., 2008, Annotated definitions of selected geomorphic terms and related terms of hydrology, sedimentology, soil science, and ecology: U. S. Geological Survey Open-file Report 2008-1217, 49 p. (on-line preface or on-line report in pdf format, 1.2 MB)

Gray, J.R., Laronne, J.B., and Osterkamp, W.R., 2007, Bedload Research International Cooperative: BRIC: Proceedings of the 10th International Symposium on River Sedimentation, Moscow, Russia, August 1-4, v. III, p. 120-126.

Gray, J.R., and Osterkamp, W.R., 2007, Vision for a worldwide fluvial-sediment information network (keynote lecture): Proceedings of the 10th International Symposium on River Sedimentation, Moscow, Russia, August 1-4, v. I, p. 43-54.

Lopes, V.L., Osterkamp, W.R., and Bravo-Espinosa, M., 2007, A method for improving predictions of bed-load discharges to reservoirs: Lakes & Reservoirs: Management and Research: v. 12, p. 59-72. (on-line abstract of journal article)

Osterkamp, W.R., Gray, J.R., LaRonne, J.B., and Martin, J.R., 2007, Structure and composition of a watershed-scale sediment information network: International Journal of Sediment Research, v. 22, p. 238-246.

Mendoza, M.E., Bocco, G., Bravo, M., Lopez-Granados, E., and Osterkamp, W.R., 2006, Predicting water surface fluctuation of continental lakes - a RS and GIS based approach in central Mexico: Water Resources Management, v. 20, no. 2, p. 291- 311. (on-line abstract of journal article)

Osterkamp, W.R., Toy, T.J., and Lenart, M.T., 2006, Development of partial rock veneers by root throw in a subalpine setting: Earth Surface Processes and Landforms, v. 31, p. 1-14. (on-line abstract of journal article)

Osterkamp, W.R., 2005, Fluvial islands, in Trimble, S.A., ed., Encyclopedia of Water Science: New York, Taylor and Francis, doi:10.1081/E-EWS-120030717 (on-line article)

Osterkamp, W.R., and Morton, R.A., 2005, Mining of coastal materials, in Schwartz, M.L., ed., Encyclopedia of Coastal Science: Dordrecht, The Netherlands, p. 645-647.

Shapley, M.D., Johnson, W.C., Engstrom, D.R., and Osterkamp, W.R., 2005, Late Holocene flooding and drought in the northern Great Plains, USA, reconstructed from tree rings, lake sediments, and ancient shorelines: The Holocene, v. 15, no. 1, p. 29-41. (on-line abstract)

Bravo-Espinosa, Miguel, Osterkamp, W. R., and Lopes, V. L., 2004, Transporte de sedimentos en corrientes naturals: revisión técnica de ecuaciones empíricas de predicción del arrastre de sedimentos de fondo: Terra, v. 22, p. 377-386.

Gonzalez-Bonorino, G., and Osterkamp, W.R., 2004, Applying RUSLE 2.0 on burned-forest lands - an appraisal: Journal of Soil and Water Conservation, v. 59, no. 1, p. 36-42. (on-line abstract)

Osterkamp, W.R., 2004, Bankfull discharge, in Goudie, A.S., ed., Encyclopedia of Geomorphology: Routledge, London, p. 52-54.

Osterkamp, W.R., Hielman, P., and Gray, J.R., 2004, An invitation to participate in a North American sediment monitoring network: EOS, Transactions American Geophysical Union, v. 85, p. 386, 388.

Bravo-Espinosa, M., Osterkamp, W. R., and Lopes, V. L., 2003, Bedload transport in alluvial channels: Journal of Hydraulic Engineering, v. 129, no. 10, p. 783-795. (on-line abstract)

Briggs, M., and Osterkamp, W.R., 2003, Developing recovery plans for riparian ecosystems: Southwest Hydrology, v. 2, no. 2, p. 18-19.

Briggs, M., and Osterkamp, W.R., 2003, Important concepts for riparian recovery: Southwest Hydrology, v. 2, no. 2, p. 26.

Gonzales-Bonorino, G., Osterkamp, W.R., and Pinol, C., 2003, An averaging procedure for applying the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) to disturbed mountain watersheds: Geogaceta, v. 33, p. 51-54.

Gray, J.R., Osterkamp, W.R., Christiansen, S., and Sprigg, W.A., 2003, Formation of Sino-US Centers for Soil and Water Conservation and Environmental Protection: International Journal of Sediment Research, v. 18, p. 248-252.

Gray, J.R., Osterkamp, W.R., and Xu, J., 2003, Effects of water management on sediment transport in China's Yellow River, with comparisons from the United States: International Journal of Sediment Research, v. 18, p. 285-290.

Osterkamp, W.R., and Gray, J.R., 2003, Hazard mitigation related to water and sediment fluxes in the Yellow River Basin, China, based on comparable basins of the United States: Proceedings, International Yellow River Forum (IYRF) on River Management, Zhengzhou, China, May 12-15, 2003, Yellow River Conservancy Publishing House, v. II, p. 465-473.

Osterkamp, W.R., and Gray, J.R., 2003, A proposed international watershed research network: Proceedings, First Interagency Conference on Research in the Watersheds, Benson, AZ, October 28-30, 2003, p. 292-295. (on-line report in pdf format)

Osterkamp, W.R., and Lane, L.J., 2003, Ground-water recharge estimates in arid areas using channel morphology and a simulation model, in Alsharhan, A.S., and Wood, W.W., eds., Water Resources Perspectives: Evaluation, Management and Policy: Developments in Water Science, v. 50, Amsterdam, Elsevier, p. 281-286.

Gray, J.R., Osterkamp, W.R., and Xu, J., 2002, Effects of water use, diversion, regulation, and conservation on sediment transport in China's Yellow River, with comparisons from the United States: Proceedings, 12th International Soil Conservation Organization Conference, May 26-31, 2002, Beijing, People's Republic of China, p. 565-569.

Heilman, P., and Osterkamp, W.R., 2002, Management considerations for a continental-scale sediment-monitoring program, in Lawrence, P.A., and Robinson, J. ed., Multiple Objective Decision Support Systems for Land, Water, and Environmental Management: Proceedings, 2nd International Conference, Queensland Department of Natural Resources and Mines, August 1-6, 1999, Brisbane, Australia, 13 p.

Osterkamp, W.R., 2002, Geoindicators for river and river-valley monitoring in the humid tropics: Environmental Geology, v.42, no.7, p.725-735. (on-line abstract)

Lopes, V.L., Osterkamp, W.R., and Bravo-Espinosa, M., 2001, Evaluation of selected bedload equations under transport- and supply-limited conditions: Proceedings of the Seventh Federal Interagency Sedimentation Conference, March 25 to 29, 2001, Reno, NV, v. 1, p. I-192 - I-198.

Osterkamp, W.R., 2001, Seasons of drought and flood: what does the future hold?, in Berger, A.R., and Liverman, D.G., eds., Geoindicators for Ecosystem Monitoring in Parks and Protected Areas: Review Reports in Ecosystem Science, Report 018, Parks Canada, Halifax, Nova Scotia, p. 32-36.

Osterkamp, W.R., and Gray, J.R., 2001, US Geological Survey programs and investigations related to soil and water conservation: International Journal of Sediment Research, v. 16, no. 3, p. 421-429.

Osterkamp, W.R., Johnson, W.C., and Dixon, M.D., 2001, Biophysical gradients related to channel islands, middle Snake River, Idaho, in Dorava, J., Palcsak, B., Fitzpatrick, F., and Montgomery, D., eds., Geomorphic Processes in Riverine Habitat: American Geophysical Union, Washington, D.C., 253 p.

Semmens, D.J., and Osterkamp, W.R., 2001, Dam removal and reservoir erosion modeling: Zion Reservoir, Little Colorado River, AS: Proceedings of the Seventh Federal Interagency Sedimentation Conference, March 25 to 29, 2001, Reno, NV, v. 1, p. IX-72 - IX-79.

Johnson, W.C., Osterkamp, W.R., Engstrom, D.R., and Shapley, M.D., 2000, Using tree rings, lake sediments and ancient shorelines to reconstruct past climate and lake levels for Day County, South Dakota: Task 3 Final Report, Day County Risk Assessment Study, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Region VIII, South Dakota State University, Brookings, 29 p.

Osterkamp, W.R., 2000, Earth-surface processes, materials use, and urban development -- a case study of the San Juan metropolitan area, northeastern Puerto Rico, in Scanlon K.M., and Briere, P.R., eds., Puerto Rico marine sediments, terrestrial and seafloor imagery and tectonic interpretations: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 00-006 (CD) (on-line abstract)

Osterkamp, W.R., and Friedman, J.M., 2000, The disparity between extreme rainfall events and rare floods--with emphasis on the semiarid American West: Hydrological Processes, v. 14, no.16/17, p. 2817-2829. (on-line abstract)

Osterkamp, W.R., and Joseph, W.L., 2000, Chapter 8, Climatic and hydrologic factors, in Barnhisel, R.I., Daniels, W.L., and Darmory, R.G, eds., Reclamation of drastically disturbed lands: American Society of Agronomy, p. 193-215.

Orr, Tade, and Osterkamp, W.R., 1999, Vigil Network data now online: EOS Transactions, American Geophysical Union v. 80, no. 31, p. 346.

Osterkamp, W.R., 1999, Runoff and sediment yield from proxy records: Upper Animas Creek Basin, New Mexico: U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service Research Paper RMRS-RP-18, 50 p.

Toy, T.J., and Osterkamp, W.R., 1999, The stability of rock-veneered hillslopes: International Journal of Sediment Research, v. 14, no. 3, p. 63-73. (on-line abstract)

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON THIS PROJECT, CONTACT:
Waite R. Osterkamp
U.S. Geological Survey, Desert Laboratory, 1675 W. Anklam Rd., Tucson, AZ 85745
Internet: wroster@usgs.gov
Telephone: 602-670-6821 (ext 113)

For information on additional projects in the National Research Program, see Indexes to NRP projects and bibliographies