Engineered River Channel Evaluation

Research Task: 8327CM8.4.0
Task Manager: Terry Waddle

River channels previously altered by projects such as highway construction provide opportunities to redesign channels to solve specific biological problems and to evaluate the long-term impacts of specific channel alterations on channel morphology and physical processes. FORT scientists are using physical-process-based predictive models to design channel alterations to solve biological and water management problems. They also are employing survey-grade GPS monitoring of altered channels to evaluate the accuracy of model predictions concerning changes in post-construction stream-bed elevation and composition as a function of flow. Benefits of this approach are increased communication and cooperation among engineers and biologists to meet habitat goals for key species. Ongoing studies include (1) designing and monitoring berms to isolate habitat for Tubifex worms (which serve as intermediate hosts for the organism that causes whirling disease) and (2) evaluating and improving hydrodynamic models for predicting changes in channel configuration due to ice buildup in altered stream channels. Cooperators include biologists and engineers with the Colorado Division of Wildlife and the USDA Forest Service.

 For more information contact Terry Waddle