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Criteria for the Design and Evaluation of Stream Excavation Projects in North Carolina
Author(s) -
Nelson Kent L.,
Weaver Edward
Publication year - 1981
Publication title -
fisheries
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.725
H-Index - 79
eISSN - 1548-8446
pISSN - 0363-2415
DOI - 10.1577/1548-8446(1981)006<0007:cftdae>2.0.co;2
Subject(s) - excavation , archaeology , south carolina , mining engineering , geography , environmental science , engineering , political science , public administration
The aggradation of coastal plains streams has been implicated in a number of public health problems and, as a result, numerous North Carolina streams have been excavated. In order to minimize the adverse effects typical of stream channelization, criteria were developed that base the excavated channel dimensions upon those found in natural, free‐flowing coastal plains streams. The capacity of unaggraded coastal plains streams approximates the two‐year flood. The capacity of the existing channel is determined using Manning's Equation and compared to that of the idealized, natural channel that is based upon watershed area. The technique allows biologists to evaluate the degree of aggradation in streams proposed for excavation, as well as establish guidelines for channel design. Burgaw Creek, a coastal plains stream in Pender County, is used as an example. The technique is applicable to areas with hydrologic characteristics similar to those of coastal North Carolina, but could be modified for other geographic regions.