Landscapes and Rivers

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Landscapes and Rivers
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http//wwwaux.cerc.cr.usgs.gov/micra/MRB20Panel2
0on20ANS.htm
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http//www.recreation.gov/detail.cfm?ID1906
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Sediment and Nutrients

• Headwaters to lowlands to oceans
• Modifying catchment basin and riverscape
• Processes dictated by climate, geomorphology, etc.

http//visibleearth.nasa.gov/view_detail.php?id16
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River characteristics
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River characteristics
http//www.siue.edu/kschulz/
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River characteristics

• Erosive power of streams positively correlated to
  stream size

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Riverscape characterization
http//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strahler_Stream_Order
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Riverscape theme

• Alternating cut and alluviation

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New rivers
http//www.visitusa.com/idaho/rivers/snake-river.h
tm
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Old rivers
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Dimensions

• Four dimensional
• Longitudinal gradient
• Terrestrial surroundings
• Vertical
• Horizontal
• Time

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Aquatic fauna distribution
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Dynamic system

• Cut and fill of sediments
• Riparian area
• Flood pulses
• Biotic responses to dynamic habitat
• Shifting habitat mosaic

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Segments, reaches, and units
Landscape
Hillslopes
Valleys
Colluvial
Alluvial
Bedrock
Channeled
Unchanneled
Dune-ripple
Pool-riffle
Plane-bed
Braided
Step-pool
Cascade
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Why classify?

• Describe physical changes over time
• Group sampling areas for comparison
• Determine areas for restoration
• Describe prior to microhabitat use studies

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Valleys

• Principal subdivision of watersheds
• Colluvial
• Unchanneled
• channeled
• Alluvial
• Bedrock

http//www.fgmorph.com/fg_5_6.php
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Channel reaches

• Cascade
• Step-pool
• Plane-bed
• Pool-riffle
• Dune-ripple
• Braided
• Forced

http//www.nrcs.usda.gov/technical/land/pubs/wp06t
ext.html
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Channel units

• Rough fast water
• Smooth fast water
• Scour pools
• Dammed pools

http//www.carto.net/neumann/mountaineering/mono_l
ake_sierra_nevada_2003_10/