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Dambreak flood impact on mountain stream bedload transport after 13 years
Author(s) -
Bathurst James C.,
Ashiq Muhammad
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
earth surface processes and landforms
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.294
H-Index - 127
eISSN - 1096-9837
pISSN - 0197-9337
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1096-9837(199807)23:7<643::aid-esp889>3.0.co;2-3
Subject(s) - bed load , flood myth , hyperconcentrated flow , geology , hydrology (agriculture) , streams , sediment transport , physical geography , geomorphology , geography , sediment , geotechnical engineering , archaeology , computer network , computer science
Studies of the bedload transport regime of the Roaring River, Colorado, in 1984–88, following a dambreak flood in 1982, showed that bedload transport rates were an order of magnitude higher than under pre‐flood conditions. A gorge eroded by the flood in glacial moraine acted as a major sediment supply source. Measurements in early June 1995 showed a continued potential for high sediment supply from the gorge and a bedload transport regime similar to that of 1984–88. A major snowmelt flood in mid‐June flushed sediment supplies from the gorge and measurements in July showed a corresponding reduction in bedload transport. However, high sediment supply will continue until the gorge cliffs revegetate or erode to a stable slope. The measurements demonstrate both the control exercised by sediment supply on transport rates and the persistent long‐term impact of major floods on mountain streams. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.