Stream Restoration Projects

Introduction

Introduction

Sediment plume in Stroubles Creek, Blacksburg, Virginia, USA.

Sediment yield prediction is an important component in the development of watershed management strategies and Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) studies where sediment is identified as a stressor. Studies have shown that sediment from streambanks can account for as much as 85% of watershed sediment yields (Simon et al., 2000).

Excessive channel degradation reduces water quality through increased turbidity and the transport of sediment-bound pollutants. Sediment is the fourth leading cause of water quality impairment nationwide (EPA, 2005).

Watershed modeling software is essential in the development of TMDL studies. The software helps researchers simplify complex watershed systems and allows them to determine the sources of impairment and the reductions required to meet water quality standards.

Sponsored by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the goal of this project was to summarize existing models and software that evaluate sediment contributions to streams due to channel degradation from streambed scour and streambank retreat. Additionally, a case study was conducted to compare three software packages with a range in model complexity (GWLF, SWAT, and CONCEPTS) to field measurements of channel degradation.


© VT-BSE-TMDL Center 2006 | Updated 1 November 2006

Funded by US EPA Grant AW-83238501

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