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High frequency stream bed mobility of a low‐gradient agricultural stream with implications on the hyporheic zone
Author(s) -
Peterson Eric W.,
Sickbert Timothy B.,
Moore Suzanna L.
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
hydrological processes
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.222
H-Index - 161
eISSN - 1099-1085
pISSN - 0885-6087
DOI - 10.1002/hyp.7031
Subject(s) - streams , hyporheic zone , baseflow , hydrology (agriculture) , geology , stream restoration , flume , sediment , environmental science , substrate (aquarium) , geomorphology , soil science , streamflow , flow (mathematics) , geotechnical engineering , drainage basin , mechanics , geography , computer network , physics , oceanography , cartography , computer science
Little Kickapoo Creek (LKC), a low‐gradient stream, mobilizes its streambed–fundamentally altering its near‐surface hyporheic zone–more frequently than do higher‐gradient mountain and karst streams. LKC streambed mobility was assessed through streambed surveys, sediment sampling, and theoretical calculations comparing basal shear stress (τ b ) with critical shear stress (τ c ). Baseflow τ b is capable of entraining a d 50 particle; bankfull flow could entrain a 51·2 mm particle. No particle that large occurs in the top 30 cm of the substrate, suggesting that the top 30 cm of the substrate is mobilized and redistributed during bankfull events. Bankfull events occur on average every 7·6 months; flows capable of entraining d 50 and d 85 particles occur on average every 0·85 and 2·1 months, respectively. Streambed surveys verify streambed mobility at conditions below bankfull. While higher gradient streams have higher potential energy than LKC, they achieve streambed‐mobilization thresholds less frequently. Heterogeneous sediment redistribution creates an environment where substrate hydraulic conductivity ( K ) varies over four orders of magnitude. The frequency and magnitude of the substrate entrainment has implications on hyporheic zone function in fluid, solute and thermal transport models, interpretations of hyporheic zone stability, and understanding of LKC's aquatic ecosystem. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.