Downstream effects of diversion dams on sediment and hydraulic conditions of Rocky Mountain streams

Reduced streamflow via flow diversion has the potential to limit the sediment‐transport capacity of downstream channels and lead to accumulation of fine sediments and habitat degradation. To investigate, we examined the effects of variable levels of flow diversion on fine‐sediment deposition, hydrau...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:River research and applications 2011-03, Vol.27 (3), p.388-401
Main Authors: Baker, D. W., Bledsoe, B. P., Albano, C. M., Poff, N. L.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animal and plant ecology
Animal, plant and microbial ecology
Applied sciences
Biological and medical sciences
Buildings. Public works
Bypasses
Channels
dam
Dams and subsidiary installations
Exact sciences and technology
field methods
fine sediment
flow diversion
Fluid dynamics
Fluid flow
Fresh water ecosystems
Freshwater
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
habitat degradation
Habitats
hydraulic alteration
Hydraulic constructions
Hydraulics
Mountain streams
Sediments
stream management
Synecology
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Summary:Reduced streamflow via flow diversion has the potential to limit the sediment‐transport capacity of downstream channels and lead to accumulation of fine sediments and habitat degradation. To investigate, we examined the effects of variable levels of flow diversion on fine‐sediment deposition, hydraulic conditions and geomorphic alteration. Our study consisted of a detailed field analysis pairing reaches above and below diversion dams on 13 mountain streams in north‐central Colorado and southern Wyoming USA. Diversions are ubiquitous across the American West, yet previous comparative studies on the effects of flow diversion have yielded mixed results. Through application of strict site‐selection criteria, multiple fine‐sediment measures, and an intensive sampling scheme, this study found that channels downstream of diversions contained significantly more fine sediment and slow‐flowing habitat as compared to upstream control reaches. Susceptibility to fine‐sediment accumulation was associated with decreasing basin size, decreasing bankfull depth and smaller d84, and it appears to be magnified in streams of less than 3% slope. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
ISSN:1535-1459
1535-1467
1535-1467
DOI:10.1002/rra.1376