U.S. Department of the Interior

U.S. Geological Survey

Prepared in cooperation with

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Transport of Suspended and Bedload Sedime

at Eight Stations in the Coeur d’Alene River 

Basin, Idaho

Open-File Report 00–472

This report has not been reviewed for conformity with U.S. Geological Survey editorial standards. 
Transport of Suspended and Bedload Sedime

at Eight Stations in the Coeur d’Alene River 

Basin, Idaho

By Gregory M. Clark and Paul F. Woods

Open-File Report 00–472

Prepared in cooperation with

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Boise, Idaho

2001
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

GALE A. NORTON, Secretary

U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY

Charles G. Groat, Director 

Any use of firm, trade, and brand names in this report is for

identification purposes only and does not constitute 

endorsement by the U.S. Government.

Additional information can be obtained from:

District Chief

U.S. Geological Survey

230 Collins Road

Boise, ID 83702-4520

http://idaho.usgs.gov

This report is available online in PDF for

http://idaho.usgs.gov/public/reports.html

and can be viewed using Adobe Acrobat 

Reader. The URL is:
iii

CONTENTS

Abstract . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

Approach . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

Sediment characteristics and transport . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

Suspended sediment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

Bedload sediment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

References cited . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

FIGURES

1. Map showing locations of eight stations measured for suspended- and bedload-sediment transport 

within the Coeur d’Alene River Basin, Idaho. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

2–18. Graphs showing:

2. Sediment-transport curves for (A) total suspended sediment, and (B) suspended silt and clay 

and suspended sand, Canyon Creek above mouth at Wallace, Idaho. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

3. Sediment-transport curves for (A) total suspended sediment, and (B) suspended silt and clay 

and suspended sand, Ninemile Creek above mouth at Wallace, Idaho . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

4. Sediment-transport curves for (A) total suspended sediment, and (B) suspended silt and clay 

and suspended sand, South Fork Coeur d’Alene River at Silverton, Idaho . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

5. Sediment-transport curves for (A) total suspended sediment, and (B) suspended silt and clay 

and suspended sand, Pine Creek below Amy Gulch near Pinehurst, Idaho . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

6. Sediment-transport curves for (A) total suspended sediment, and (B) suspended silt and clay 

and suspended sand, South Fork Coeur d’Alene River near Pinehurst, Idaho . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

7. Sediment-transport curves for (A) total suspended sediment, and (B) suspended silt and clay 

and suspended sand, North Fork Coeur d’Alene River at Enaville, Idaho. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

8. Sediment-transport curves for (A) total suspended sediment, and (B) suspended silt and clay 

and suspended sand, Coeur d’Alene River at Rose Lake, Idaho . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

9. Sediment-transport curves for (A) total suspended sediment, and (B) suspended silt and clay 

and suspended sand, Coeur d’Alene River near Harrison, Idaho . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

10. Sediment-transport curves for total suspended sediment at eight stations, Coeur d’Alene River 

Basin, Idaho . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

11. (A) Sediment-transport curves and (B) particle-size distribution of bedload sediment, Canyon 

Creek above mouth at Wallace, Idaho . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

12. (A) Sediment-transport curves and (B) particle-size distribution of bedload sediment, 

Ninemile Creek above mouth at Wallace, Idaho . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

13. (A) Sediment-transport curves and (B) particle-size distribution of bedload sediment, Pine 

Creek below Amy Gulch near Pinehurst, Idaho . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

14. (A) Sediment-transport curves and (B) particle-size distribution of bedload sediment, South 

Fork Coeur d’Alene River at Silverton, Idaho . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

15. (A) Sediment-transport curves and (B) particle-size distribution of bedload sediment, South 

Fork Coeur d’Alene River near Pinehurst, Idaho . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
iv

16. (A) Sediment-transport curves and (B) particle-size distribution of bedload sediment, North 

Fork Coeur d’Alene River at Enaville, Idaho . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

17. (A) Sediment-transport curves and (B) particle-size distribution of bedload sediment, Coeur 

d’Alene River at Rose Lake, Idaho. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

18. Sediment-transport curves for bedload sediment for seven stations, Coeur d’Alene River 

Basin, Idaho . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

CONVERSION FACTORS AND ABBREVIATED UNITS

Multiply By To obtain

cubic foot per second (ft3/s) 0.02832 cubic meter per second

foot (ft) 0.3048 meter

inch (in.) 2.540 centimeter

mile (mi) 1.609 kilometer

square mile (mi2) 2.590 square kilometer

ton per day (t/d) 0.9072 metric ton per day

Abbreviated units:

μm micrometer

mm millimeter
1

Abstract

The Remedial Investigation/Feasibility Study 

conducted by the U.S. Environmental Protection 

Agency within the Spokane River Basin of northern Idaho and eastern Washington included extensive data-collection activities to determine the 

nature and extent of trace-element contamination 

within the basin. As part of the investigation, the 

U.S. Geological Survey designed and implemented a sampling program to assess sediment 

transport in the Coeur d’Alene River Basin. Suspended and bedload sediments were sampled at 

four stations at or near base flow and at eight stations during low, moderate, and high discharge 

conditions between February 1999 and April 2000.

The concentrations and loads of suspended 

and bedload sediment at all stations were directly 

related to stream discharge. To quantify these relationships, a power function was used to develop 

sediment-transport curves at all stations. Although 

the transport curves for most of the stations indicate a good log-log relationship between stream 

discharge and suspended- and bedload-sediment 

discharge, there was a fair amount of scatter about 

the best-fit regression at most stations. For suspended-sediment discharge, the scatter can be primarily attributed to a hysteresis effect in the concentration of suspended sediment as stream discharge rises and falls. The effects of hysteresis 

on bedload-sediment discharge were difficult to 

assess because of a paucity of samples collected 

over the stream hydrograph. 

At most of the stations, and at the stream discharges sampled, the transport characteristics for 

fine- and sand-sized suspended sediment were 

similar. However, at the two main-stem Coeur 

d’Alene River stations, Rose Lake and Harr

the suspended-sediment load was primarily 

posed of fine-grained sediment at stream di

charges of less than 15,000 cubic feet per se

These two stations are characterized by rela

slow water velocities, which appear to be in

cient to transport sand-sized sediment at low

stream discharge.

At most of the stations, and at the stre

charges sampled, the bedload was primarily 

posed of material greater than 2 millimeters 

diameter, the break between sand and grave

predominance of sand-sized bedload was no

only a few stations, and generally only duri

stream discharge. The particle-size distribut

bedload sediment at most stations became p

tionately coarser as stream discharge increa

During the peak of snowmelt runoff for wat

years 1999 and 2000, gravel-sized material 

tween 2 and 64 millimeters in diameter com

more than 70 percent of the bedload transpo

most stations. However, at the station on the 

d’Alene River at Rose Lake, the bedload w

dominantly composed of fine-grained mater

less than 1 millimeter in diameter for all me

stream discharges. The slow water velocitie

Rose Lake accounted for the predominance 

fine-grained sediment transport.

INTRODUCTION

Introduction

Mining and ore-processing activities cond

over the past 100 years in the South Fork Coeur 

d’Alene River Basin have produced extensive d

of trace-element-contaminated sediments throu

the South Fork Coeur d’Alene River valley and 

utaries, the channel and flood plain of the main 

Transport of Suspended and Bedload Sedime

at Eight Stations in the Coeur d’Alene River 

Basin, Idaho

By Gregory M. Clark and Paul F. Woods
2

Coeur d’Alene River, and the lakebed of Coeur 

d’Alene Lake. Snowmelt runoff and occasional floods 

continue to transport and redistribute trace-elementcontaminated sediments throughout the 6,680-mi2

Spokane River Basin of northern Idaho and eastern 

Washington (fig. 1, back of report). 

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 

(EPA) has recently initiated a Remedial Investigation/Feasibility Study (RI/FS) of the Spokane River 

Basin under the authority of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act 

of 1980 (CERCLA), which requires EPA to evaluate 

contaminant release, fate, and transport. The Remedial 

Investigation phase involves data collection to characterize site conditions, development of conceptual models, determination of the nature and extent of trace-element contamination, and risk assessment for human 

health and the environment. The development and evaluation of remedial action alternatives is the focus of the 

Feasibility Study. In March of 1998, the EPA asked the 

U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) to identify hydrologic 

and water-quality studies the USGS might perform in 

support of the RI/FS of the Spokane River Basin. The 

study described in this report was conducted by USGS 

as Task 7 (evaluation of suspended- and bedload-sediment transport within the Coeur d’Alene River Basin 

and affected areas, Subtask B) of Interagency Agreement DW14957278–01–0 with EPA.

The objective of the study was to provide an 

assessment of sediment-transport characteristics within 

the Coeur d’Alene River Basin. Such an assessment 

was needed to estimate sediment concentrations and 

transport rates and to characterize sediment transport 

as related to particle size and discharge conditions. 

Suspended and bedload sediments were sampled at 

eight USGS gaging stations between February 1999 

and April 2000. 

APPROACH

Listed below are USGS station numbers and 

names for the eight stations where suspended and bedload sediments were sampled for this study. The number in parentheses preceding the USGS station number 

indicates the locations of the stations on figure 1. 

(2) 12413150 South Fork Coeur d’Alene 

River at Silverton, Idaho

(4) 12413470 South Fork Coeur d’Alene 

River near Pinehurst, Idaho

(5) 12413125 Canyon Creek above m

at Wallace, Idaho

(8) 12413030 Ninemile Creek above m

at Wallace, Idaho

(13) 12413445 Pine Creek below Amy 

near Pinehurst, Idaho

(16) 12413000 North Fork Coeur d’Ale

River at Enaville, Idaho

(18) 12413810 Coeur d’Alene River at 

Lake, Idaho

(19) 12413860 Coeur d’Alene River ne

Harrison, Idaho

Suspended- and bedload-sediment sample

collected at four different discharge conditions. 

flow discharge was sampled at South Fork Coeu

d’Alene River near Pinehurst, North Fork Coeu

d’Alene River at Enaville, Coeur d’Alene River 

Lake, and Coeur d’Alene River near Harrison. T

other three discharge conditions (low, moderate

high) were sampled at the eight stations during 

steady discharges (storm hydrographs). During t

moderate, and high discharge conditions, sampl

conducted once on the ascending limb, once at 

peak, and once on the descending limb. Dischar

surements in support of the sediment sampling 

made using standardized USGS methods for co

of streamflow data, computation of discharge, a

quality assurance procedures which are thoroug

described in six USGS Techniques of Water-Re

Investigations Reports (Buchanan and Somers, 

1969; Riggs, 1968; Carter and Davidian, 1968; 

Kennedy, 1983, 1984). 

Suspended-sediment samples were collec

using width- and depth-integrating techniques to 

representative samples. When streams were wa

suspended-sediment samples were collected usi

DH–81 handheld sampler. When streams were 

wadeable, samples were collected using a D–74 

D–77 reel-mounted sampler. Edwards and Glys

(1988) provide detailed descriptions of the meth

collection and different sampling devices used t

ple suspended sediment. 

Bedload samples were collected between 

10 times at each station using a Helley-Smith sa

with a 3.0-in. by 3.0-in. nozzle suspended from 

bridge crane. Bedload samples were collected u

equal-width increment sampling methods descr

Edwards and Glysson (1988). This method invo

dividing and sampling the stream channel in ev
3

spaced sections to accurately represent bedload transport across the entire channel. Duplicate samples were 

collected during each station visit and were analyzed 

separately. During data analysis, the results for the 

duplicate samples were reported as an average.

Suspended- and bedload-sediment samples were 

analyzed at the USGS Cascades Volcano Observatory’s 

sediment laboratory. Suspended-sediment samples 

were analyzed for total concentration and particle-size 

fraction less than 63 μm. Bedload-sediment samples 

were analyzed for total mass and particle size from 

63 μm to 64 mm. Guy (1969) provides a detailed 

description of the techniques used for the analysis of 

sediment samples. 

SEDIMENT CHARACTERISTICS AND 

TRANSPORT

Sediment Characteristics and Transport

Streams transport sediment by maintaining the 

finer particles in suspension with turbulent currents 

and by rolling or skipping coarser particles along the 

streambed. The discharge of fine-grained particles is 

typically controlled by the available supply of such particles with the supply often less than the stream can 

transport (Colby, 1956). These fine-grained sediments 

generally move downstream at about the same velocity 

as the water. In contrast to fine-grained sediments, the 

supply of coarser grained sediments in streams is generally greater than the stream can transport. Thus, the 

discharge of coarser grained sediments is typically 

controlled by the ability of the stream to transport 

them (Guy, 1970). The sediment that moves on or near 

the stream bottom by sliding, rolling, or bouncing is 

termed bedload (Edwards and Glysson, 1988). Bedload 

may move only occasionally and remain at rest much 

of the time. As a result of these differences in transport 

mechanisms, a great deal of variation can be expected 

in the concentration and grain-size characteristics of 

sediments at different locations in a stream and with 

changes in stream discharge. To evaluate the effects of 

stream discharge on sediment characteristics, transport 

and sediment-size distribution curves were developed 

to describe the relationship between sediment discharge and stream discharge. Results are described 

in the following sections. 

Suspended Sediment

In general, the concentrations of both fine

coarse-grained sediments within a stream chann

increase with increasing stream discharge (Edw

and Glysson, 1988). To describe the relationshi

between suspended-sediment discharge and stre

discharge, a power function was used to develo

port curves for sediment discharge. This techniq

involves fitting a curve to points on a scatter diag

described in Colby (1956). On a log-log scale, 

discharge at the time of sample collection is plo

the independent variable with suspended-sedim

charge as the dependent variable. Suspended-se

discharge, in tons per day, was calculated using 

lowing equation:

where

Qs is suspended-sediment discharge, in ton

day;

Qw is stream discharge, in cubic feet per sec

Cs is suspended-sediment concentration, in 

grams per liter; and

k is a conversion factor of 0.0027. 

The best-fit equation that is derived from 

relationship between stream discharge and susp

sediment discharge can be used to estimate an a

suspended-sediment discharge for a given strea

charge over a period of a day, month, or year. B

the estimated value is an average, computed sed

discharges during short time periods are subjec

appreciable error because of variations in the re

between stream discharge and sediment discharg

type of error should be generally compensating 

time period of estimation is increased. 

The relation between stream discharge an

suspended-sediment discharge for the eight stat

measured in the Coeur d’Alene River Basin is s

in figures 2–9 (back of report). Although the be

regression line at most of the stations indicates 

log-log relationship between stream discharge a

suspended-sediment discharge (correlation coef

r, ranged from 0.82 to 0.97), there is a fair amou

scatter about the regression line at all of the stat

This scatter can be partly attributed to a hystere

effect in the concentration of suspended-sedime

Qs Qw Cs = × × k
4

stream discharge rises and falls. When stream discharge is rising, materials stored within the stream 

channel or in riparian and terrestrial zones become 

mobile as they are subjected to increased stream velocities. The magnitude of the hysteresis effect can be 

affected by antecedent conditions as well as the magnitude of the discharge event generating hysteresis. 

Because of the mobilization of stored sediments, 

samples collected during the rising part of the stream 

hydrograph typically have larger concentrations of 

suspended sediment as compared to samples collected 

at similar discharge during the falling part of the stream 

hydrograph. In figures 2–9, points to the left of the 

best-fit regression line generally represent samples 

collected when stream discharge was rising; points to 

the right of the line generally represent samples collected when stream discharge was falling. Figures 2 

and 3 illustrate the effect of hysteresis on suspendedsediment discharge in Canyon and Ninemile Creeks. 

At both stations, samples collected during rising stream 

discharge had more suspended-sediment transport as 

compared to samples collected during falling stream 

discharge. Hysteresis is evident as two loops in the 

stream-sediment discharge relationship during the snowmelt events occurring from March 15 to March 29, 1999, 

and from March 29 to May 31, 1999. 

Comparisons of the suspended-sediment curves 

for the eight stations analyzed in the Coeur d’Alene 

River Basin are shown in figure 10 (back of report). 

Ninemile Creek, Pine Creek, and the North Fork Coeur 

d’Alene River at Enaville tend to have steeper slopes to 

their sediment-transport curves as compared to stations 

on Canyon Creek and the South Fork and main-stem 

Coeur d’Alene Rivers. Steeper slopes indicate a more 

dramatic response in the transport of suspended sediment to changes in stream discharge. An examination 

of figure 10 also indicates that at the stream discharges 

measured, Ninemile Creek transports significantly 

more suspended sediment per unit discharge than does 

Canyon Creek. Similarly, the South Fork Coeur 

d’Alene River at Silverton transports significantly more 

suspended sediment per unit discharge as compared to 

the downstream site at Pinehurst. This is due in part to 

the intervening inflow from Pine Creek, which dilutes 

suspended-sediment concentrations in the South Fork 

Coeur d’Alene River. Differences in channel geometry 

also explain part of the sediment-transport differences 

between the Silverton and Pinehurst stations; the 

smaller cross-sectional area at the Silverton station produces higher, more erosive stream velocities. A large 

decrease in suspended-sediment transport per u

charge also occurs between the Pinehurst statio

the two main-stem Coeur d’Alene River station

Rose Lake and Harrison. Again, dilutional inflo

the North Fork Coeur d’Alene River explains p

the decrease. Additionally, deposition of sedime

within the main-stem Coeur d’Alene River is en

dered by the backwater conditions created by w

level management of Coeur d’Alene Lake. 

The relationship between the fraction of s

pended-sediment discharge composed of fines (

cles of 63 μm diameter and smaller) and the fra

composed of sand at the eight stations is also sh

figures 2–9. For most of the stations, there is not 

difference in the transport characteristics of fine

sand-sized material. At the Rose Lake and Harri

tions, however, the transport curves indicate tha

stream discharge is less than about 15,000 ft3/s, 

the suspended sediment is composed of fine-gra

material (figs. 8 and 9). These two stations are c

terized by relatively slow water velocities, whic

appear to be insufficient to transport sand-sized 

ment at lower stream discharge. Not until stream 

charge approaches about 20,000 ft3/s does the d

charge of sand-sized material at Rose Lake and 

son become equivalent to the discharge of fine-

material. 

Bedload Sediment

Unlike suspended-sediment transport, tran

of bedload material is not always evident. For in

only three stations (South Fork Coeur d’Alene R

at Silverton and near Pinehurst and Pine Creek) 

measurable bedload during low-flow sampling 

March 15–16, 1999. In the main-stem Coeur d’

River at Rose Lake and near Harrison, bedload 

port was either negligible or nonexistent on mos

sampling dates. For the Coeur d’Alene River ne

rison, a bedload-transport curve could not be de

oped. When bedload discharge does occur, it is 

extremely variable both spatially within the stre

channel and temporally during steady stream-di

conditions. Because of this variability, transport 

fitted for bedload transport generally have a larg

degree of uncertainty than do curves for suspen

sediment transport. To develop transport curves 

bedload discharge in the Coeur d’Alene River B
5

the following equation (Edwards and Glysson, 1988) 

was used:

(2)

where 

Qb is bedload discharge, in tons per day;

k is a conversion factor of 0.381; 

W is total stream width, in feet;

M is total mass of bedload sample collected from 

all sections, in grams; and

T is the total time the sampler was on the bed, in 

seconds.

As with suspended sediment, the best-fit equations shown in figures 11–17 (back of report) can be 

used to estimate average bedload discharge for a given 

period of time. However, because of the paucity of 

samples at some stations and the variability at most of 

the stations, the bedload-discharge estimates obtained 

would be subject to appreciable error. The range in correlation coefficients for the bedload-transport equations 

was from 0.52 to 0.98. Additional samples collected at 

higher stream discharge would provide better definition 

and more confidence in the bedload-discharge transport 

curves.

At all stations, the largest measured bedload discharge occurred during large stream discharge at the 

end of May 1999 or mid-April 2000. The largest measured bedload discharge was about 2,700 t/d at a stream 

discharge of 20,000 ft3/s on April 14, 2000, in the 

North Fork Coeur d’Alene River at Enaville. Within 

and between station comparisons of the bedload-sediment rating curves (fig. 18, back of report) indicate 

similarities and differences with the curves for suspended sediment (fig. 10). Similar to the transport of 

suspended sediment, the transport of bedload sediment 

in Ninemile Creek, Pine Creek, and the North Fork 

Coeur d’Alene River at Enaville appear especially sensitive to changes in stream discharge as evidenced by 

the steep slope of their transport curves. Also similar to 

the transport of suspended sediment, Ninemile Creek 

transported significantly more bedload sediment per 

unit discharge during 1999 than did Canyon Creek. In 

contrast to the transport of suspended sediment, Pine 

Creek transported significantly more bedload sediment 

per unit discharge as compared to stations on the South 

Fork Coeur d’Alene River at Silverton and near Pinehurst. 

In general, the particle-size distribution of b

sediment samples at most stations was proporti

coarser as stream discharge increased (figs. 11–

most of the stations and for most of the stream 

charges sampled, the bedload was primarily com

of material greater than 2 mm in diameter, the b

between sand and gravel (Guy, 1969). A predom

of sand-sized and smaller bedload was noted at 

few stations, and generally only during low stre

charge. During the peak of snowmelt runoff, gr

sized material between 2 and 64 mm diameter c

prised more than 70 percent of the bedload tran

all stations except Canyon Creek and the Coeur 

d’Alene River at Rose Lake. At all of the stream 

charges measured, the bedload in the Coeur d’A

River at Rose Lake was predominantly compos

fine-grained material less than 1 mm in diamete

(fig. 17). 

REFERENCES CITED

References Cited

Buchanan, T.J., and Somers, W.P., 1968, Stage 

surements at gaging stations: U.S. Geolog

Survey Techniques of Water-Resources In

tions, book 3, chap. A7, 28 p.

——— 1969, Discharge measurements at gagin

stations: U.S. Geological Survey Techniqu

of Water-Resources Investigations, book 3

chap. A8, 65 p.

Carter, R.W., and Davidian, J., 1968, General p

dure for gaging streams: U.S. Geological 

Techniques of Water-Resources Investigat

book 3, chap. A6, 13 p.

Colby, B.R., 1956, Relationship of sediment dis

to streamflow: U.S. Geological Survey Op

Report, 170 p.

Edwards, T.K., and Glysson, G.D., 1988, Field 

ods for measurement of fluvial sediment: 

Geological Survey Open-File Report 86–5

118 p.

Guy, H.P., 1969, Laboratory theory and method

sediment analysis: U.S. Geological Surve

Techniques of Water-Resources Investigat

book 5, chap. C1, 58 p.

——— 1970, Fluvial sediment concepts: U.S. G

ical Survey Techniques of Water-Resourc

vestigations, book 3, chap. C1, 55 p.

Kennedy, E.J., 1983, Computation of continuou

records of streamflow: U.S. Geological Su

Qb = ( ) kWM × × ⁄ T
6

Techniques of Water-Resources Investigations, 

book 3, chap. A13, 53 p.

——— 1984, Discharge ratings at gaging stations: 

U.S. Geological Survey Techniques of WaterResources Investigations, book 3, chap. A10, 59 p.

Riggs, H.C., 1968, Some statistical tools in hyd

U.S. Geological Survey Techniques of Wa

Resources Investigations, book 4, chap. A
Figures 1–18

U%

$

$$

$

$

$

$

$

Spokane River Coeur d'Alene

8 2

4 16

13

18

19

5

Beaver C r .

Can

Pine Creek

Prichard C

Ninemile Cr.

Mon tgome ry C

Place r Cr.

Bunker Hill Superfund Site

South Fork

North Fork

St. Joe River

Coeur d'Alene Indian Reservation

Shoshone County Kootenai County

Benewah County

Coeur d'Alene Lake

Coeur d'Alene River

00'116

o

45'

o 47

22' 30"

45'116

o

Figure 1. Locations of eight stations measured for suspended- and bedload-sediment transport within River Basin, Idaho.

0

5 10 

0

5 

47 o

$ Gaging station and number Explanation

Base from U.S. Geological Survey digital data, 1:100,000, 1999 Albers Equal-Area projection standard parallels 43 30', 47 30', and -114 00', 41 45' no false easting or false northing.

o o

o o

9
Figure 2. Sediment-transport curves for (A) total suspended sediment,

and (B) suspended silt and clay and suspended sand, Canyon Creek

above mouth at Wallace, Idaho

10 20 50 100 200 500 1,000

10 20 50 100 200 500 1,000

0.1

0.1

1,000

0.2

0.5

1

2

5

10

20

50

100

200

500

Suspended-Sediment Discharge, in tons per day Suspended-Sediment Discharge, in tons per day

QSS (t/d) = 1.65e (Q)

r=0.820

-4 2. 12

Stream Discharge, in cubic feet per second

Qsand (t/d) = 3.57e (Q)

r=0.761

-4 1. 77

3/15/99

3/21/99

3/29/99

3/26/99

4/19/99

5/24/99

5/31/99

Qfines (t/d) = 1.10e (Q)

r=0.833

-5 2. 52

Sand (>63 micrometers)

Silt and Clay (fines < 63 micrometers)

Total Suspended Sediment A

B

0.01

1,000

0.02

0.05

0.2

0.5

1

2

5

10

20

50

100

200

500

10
QSS (t/d) = 8.43e (Q)

r=0.92

-6 3. 20

10 20 50 100 200 500 1,000 0.1

100

0.2

0.5

1

2

5

10

20

50

Qsand (t/d) = 1.11e (Q)

r=0.891

-5 2. 93

Qfines (t/d) = 1.25e (Q)

r=0.938

-6 3. 51

10 20 50 100 200 500 1,000

0.01

100

0.02

0.05

0.1

0.2

0.5

1

2

5

10

20

50

Figure 3. Sediment-transport curves for (A) total suspended sediment,

and (B) suspended silt and clay and suspended sand, Ninemile Creek

above mouth at Wallace, Idaho Suspended-Sediment Discharge, in tons per day Suspended-Sediment Discharge, in tons per day

Stream Discharge, in cubic feet per second

Total Suspended Sediment

3/21/99

3/23/99

3/29/99

4/19/99

5/25/99

5/31/99

3/15/99

A

B

Sand (>63 micrometers)

Silt and Clay (fines < 63 micrometers)

11
QSS (t/d) = 2.79e (Q)

r=0.886

-5 2. 20

100 200 500 1,000 2,000 5,000 10,000

1

10,000

2

5

10

20

50

100

200

500

1,000

2,000

5,000

Qfines (t/d) = 2.74e (Q)

r=0.822

-5 2. 11

Qsand (t/d) = 1.48e (Q)

r=0.906

-7 2. 86

100 200 500 1,000 2,000 5,000 10,000

0.1

1,000

0.2

0.5

1

2

5

10

20

50

100

200

500

Figure 4. Sediment-transport curves for (A) total suspended sediment,

and (B) suspended silt and clay and suspended sand, South Fork

Coeur d’Alene River at Silverton, Idaho Suspended-Sediment Discharge, in tons per day Suspended-Sediment Discharge, in tons per day

Stream Discharge, in cubic feet per second

Total Suspended Sediment A

B

Sand (>63 micrometers)

Silt and Clay (fines < 63 micrometers)

12
100 200 500 1,000 2,000 5,000 10,000

0.1

1,000

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5

0.7

1

2

3

4

5

7

10

20

30

40

50

70

100

200

300

400

500

700

QSS (t/d) = 3.13e (Q)

r=0.927

-10 3. 80

Qfines (t/d) = 2.59e (Q)

r=0.894

-11 4. 07

Qsand (t/d) = 5.78e (Q)

r=0.926

-10 3. 58

100 200 500 1,000 2,000 5,000 10,000

0.1

1,000

0.2

0.5

1

2

5

10

20

50

100

200

500

Figure 5. Sediment-transport curves for (A) total suspended sediment,

and (B) suspended silt and clay and suspended sand, Pine Creek below

Amy Gulch near Pinehurst, Idaho Suspended-Sediment Discharge, in tons per day Suspended-Sediment Discharge, in tons per day

Stream Discharge, in cubic feet per second

Total Suspended Sediment A

B

Sand (>63 micrometers)

Silt and Clay (fines < 63 micrometers)

13
100 200 500 1,000 2,000 5,000 10,000

1

10,000

2

5

10

20

50

100

200

500

1,000

2,000

5,000

QSS (t/d) = 5.81e (Q)

r=0.945

-7 2. 61

Qfines (t/d) = 3.05e (Q)

r=0.931

-7 2. 62

Qsand (t/d) = 4.25e (Q)

r=0.929

-7 2. 53

100 200 500 1,000 2,000 5,000 10,000

1

10,000

2

5

10

20

50

100

200

500

1,000

2,000

5,000

Figure 6. Sediment-transport curves for (A) total suspended sediment,

and (B) suspended silt and clay and suspended sand, South Fork

Coeur d’Alene River near Pinehurst, Idaho Suspended-Sediment Discharge, in tons per day Suspended-Sediment Discharge, in tons per day

Stream Discharge, in cubic feet per second

Total Suspended Sediment A

B

Sand (>63 micrometers)

Silt and Clay (fines < 63 micrometers)

14
1,000 2,000 5,000 10,000 20,000 50,000 100,000

10

10,000

20

30

40

50

70

100

200

300

400

500

700

1,000

2,000

3,000

4,000

5,000

7,000

20,000

30,000

40,000

QSS (t/d) = 1.69e (Q)

r=0.974

-12 3. 728

Qsand (t/d) = 2.68e (Q)

r=0.981

-12 3. 52

Qfines (t/d) = 7.21e (Q)

r=0.968

-13 3. 79

Figure 7. Sediment-transport curves for (A) total suspended sediment,

and (B) suspended silt and clay and suspended sand, North Fork

Coeur d’Alene River at Enaville, Idaho Suspended-Sediment Discharg

e, in tons per day Suspended-Sediment Discharg

e, in tons per day

Stream Discharge, in cubic feet per second

Total Suspended Sediment A

B

Sand (>63 micrometers)

Silt and Clay (fines < 63 micrometers)

1,000 2,000 5,000 10,000 20,000 50,000 100,000 1

10,000

2

5

10

20

50

100

200

500

1,000

2,000

5,000

20,000

40,000

15
QSS (t/d) = 9.95e (Q)

r=0.888

-10 2. 98

1,000 2,000 5,000 10,000 20,000 50,000 100,000 10

10,000

20

50

100

200

500

1,000

2,000

5,000

100,000

20,000

50,000

Qfines (t/d) = 3.03e (Q)

r=0.90

-9 2. 82

Qsand (t/d) = 1.79e (Q)

r=0.898

-14 3. 98

Figure 8. Sediment-transport curves for (A) total suspended sediment,

and (B) suspended silt and clay and suspended sand, Coeur d’Alene

River at Rose Lake, Idaho Suspended-Sediment Discharge, in tons per day Suspended-Sediment Discharge, in tons per day

Stream Discharge, in cubic feet per second

A

B

Sand (>63 micrometers)

Silt and Clay (fines < 63 micrometers)

1,000 2,000 5,000 10,000 20,000 50,000 100,000

0.1

10,000

0.2

0.5

1

2

5

10

20

50

100

200

500

1,000

2,000

5,000

100,000

20,000

50,000

Total Suspended Sediment

16
QSS (t/d) = 1.15e (Q)

r=0.829

-8 2. 75

1,000 2,000 5,000 10,000 20,000 50,000 100,000 10

10,000

20

50

100

200

500

1,000

2,000

30,000

5,000

20,000

1,000 2,000 5,000 10,000 20,000 50,000 100,000

Figure 9. Sediment-transport curves for (A) total suspended sediment,

and (B) suspended silt and clay and suspended sand, Coeur d’Alene

River near Harrison, Idaho Suspended-Sediment Discharge, in tons per day Suspended-Sediment Discharge, in tons per day

Stream Discharge, in cubic feet per second

Total Suspended Sediment A

B

Sand (>63 micrometers)

Silt and Clay (fines < 63 micrometers)

Qsand (t/d) = 9.23e (Q)

r=0.908

-16 4. 36

Qfines (t/d) = 1.56e (Q)

r=0.821

-7 2. 43

1

10,000

2

5

10

20

50

100

200

500

1,000

2,000

5,000

20,000

30,000

17
Stream Discharge, in cubic feet per second

Figure 10. Sediment-transport curves for total suspended sediment

at eight stations, Coeur d’Alene River Basin, Idaho

Suspended-Sediment Discharge, tons per day

10,000

0.1

0.2

0.5

1

2

5

10

20

50

100

200

500

1,000

2,000

5,000

20,000

50,000

10 20 50 100 200 500 1,000 2,000 5,000 10,000 20,000 50,000

Canyon

Creek

Ninemile

Creek

SFCDR at

Silverton

Pine

Creek

SFCDR near

Pinehurst

NFCDR at

Enaville

CDR at

Rose Lake

CDR near

Harrison

18
0.06 0.1 0.2 0.5 1 2 5 10 20 50 100 0

100

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

Percent of bedload equaled or exceeded, b

y weight

Particle Size, in millimeters

Figure 11. (A) Sediment-transport curves and (B) particle-size distribution

of bedload sediment, Canyon Creek above mouth at Wallace, Idaho

B

Bedload-Sediment Discharge, in tons per day

QBS (t/d) = 5.36e (Q)

r=0.987

-7 2. 60

Stream Discharge, in cubic feet per second

A

10 20 50 100 200 500 1,000

0.01

10

0.02

0.05

0.1

0.2

0.5

1

2

5

Q=384 cfs

5/24/99

Q=206 cfs

4/16/00

Q=120 cfs

4/12/00

Q=332 cfs

4/14/00

Q=229 cfs

5/31/99

Q=137 cfs

3/26/99

Q=102 cfs

4/11/00

Q=97 cfs

3/21/99

19
Bedload-Sediment Discharge, in tons per day

QBS (t/d) = 5.35e (Q)

r=0.823

-8 4. 06

Stream Discharge, in cubic feet per second

0.06 0.1 0.2 0.5 1 2 5 10 20 50 100

0

100

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

Percent of bedload equaled or exceeded, b

y weight

Particle Size, in millimeters

Figure 12. (A) Sediment-transport curves and (B) particle-size distribution

of bedload sediment, Ninemile Creek above mouth at Wallace, Idaho

A

10 20 50 100 200 500 1,000

0.1

100

0.2

0.5

1

2

5

10

20

50

B

Q=116 cfs

5/25/99

Q=61 cfs

4/11/00

Q=61 cfs

5/31/99

Q=132 cfs

4/14/00

Q=84 cfs

4/16/00

Q=75 cfs

3/22/99

Q=49 cfs

3/29/99

Q=70 cfs

3/21/99

20
Bedload-Sediment Discharge, in tons per day

QBS (t/d) = 1.26e (Q)

r=0.802

-7 2. 91

Stream Discharge, in cubic feet per second

0.06 0.1 0.2 0.5 1 2 5 10 20 50 100

0

100

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

Percent of bedload equaled or exceeded, b

y weight

Particle Size, in millimeters

Figure 13. (A) Sediment-transport curves and (B) particle-size distribution

of bedload sediment, Pine Creek below Amy Gulch near Pinehurst, Idaho

A

100 200 500 1,000 2,000 5,000 10,000

1

1,000

2

5

10

20

50

100

200

500

Q=1,170 cfs

5/26/99

Q=1,330 cfs

4/15/00

Q=614 cfs

4/12/00

Q=902 cfs

3/26/99

Q=743 cfs

4/17/00

Q=274 cfs

3/16/99

Q=524 cfs

4/11/00

B

21
Bedload-Sediment Discharge, in tons per day

QBS (t/d) = 4.74e (Q)

r=0.709

-7 2. 45

Stream Discharge, in cubic feet per second

Percent of bedload equaled or exceeded, b

y weight

Particle Size, in millimeters

0.06 0.1 0.2 0.5 1 2 5 10 20 50 100

0

100

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

Figure 14. (A) Sediment-transport curves and (B) particle-size distribution

of bedload sediment, South Fork Coeur d’Alene River at Silverton, Idaho

A

100 200 500 1,000 2,000 5,000 10,000

0.1

1,000

0.2

0.5

1

2

5

10

20

50

100

200

500

Q=700 cfs

3/26/99

Q=1,830 cfs

5/25/99

Q=1,460 cfs

4/14/00

Q=852 cfs

4/16/00

Q=665 cfs

4/12/00

Q=1,040 cfs

6/1/99

Q=423 cfs

3/29/99

Q=554 cfs

4/11/00

Q=516 cfs

3/24/99

Q=193 cfs

3/16/99

B

22
Bedload-Sediment Discharge, in tons per day

QBS (t/d) = 4.93e (Q)

r=0.865

-8 2. 70

Stream Discharge, in cubic feet per second

Percent of bedload equaled or exceeded, b

y weight

Particle Size, in millimeters

0.06 0.1 0.2 0.5 1 2 5 10 20 50 100

0

100

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

Figure 15. (A) Sediment-transport curves and (B) particle-size distribution

of bedload sediment, South Fork Coeur d’Alene River near Pinehurst, Idaho

A

100 200 500 1,000 2,000 5,000 10,000

1

1,000

2

5

10

20

50

100

200

500

Q=3,620 cfs

5/26/99

Q=2,280 cfs

3/26/99

Q=1,660 cfs

4/11/00

Q=2,170 cfs

6/2/99

Q=789 cfs

3/16/99

Q=1,160 cfs

3/30/99

Q=1,880 cfs

4/12/00

Q=3,520 cfs

4/15/00

Q=2,400 cfs

4/17/00

B

23
Bedload-Sediment Discharge, in tons per day

QBS (t/d) = 5.16e (Q)

r=0.983

-15 4. 12

Stream Discharge, in cubic feet per second

Percent of bedload equaled or exceeded, b

y weight

Particle Size, in millimeters

0.06 0.1 0.2 0.5 1 2 5 10 20 50 100

0

100

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

Figure 16. (A) Sediment-transport curves and (B) particle-size distribution

of bedload sediment, North Fork Coeur d’Alene River at Enaville, Idaho

A

1,000 2,000 5,000 10,000 20,000 50,000 100,000

10

1,000

20

50

100

200

500

2,000

3,000

B

Q=20,000 cfs

4/14/00

Q=7,060 cfs

3/24/99

Q=5,750 cfs

6/2/99

Q=11,300 cfs

4/17/00

Q=11,100 cfs

5/26/99

24
Bedload-Sediment Discharge, in tons per day

QBS (t/d) = 1.30e (Q)

r=0.519

-14 3. 61

Percent of bedload equaled or exceeded, b

y weight

Particle Size, in millimeters

0.06 0.1 0.2 0.5 1 2 5 10 20 50 100

0

100

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

Figure 17. (A) Sediment-transport curves and (B) particle-size distribution

of bedload sediment, Coeur d’Alene River at Rose Lake, Idaho

A

Stream Discharge, in cubic feet per second

1,000 2,000 5,000 10,000 20,000 50,000 100,000

1

100

2

5

50

B

Q=15,600 cfs

5/27/99

Q=28,100 cfs

4/15/00

Q=16,400 cfs

4/17/00

10

20

200

25
10 20 50 100 200 500 1,000 2,000 5,000 10,000 20,000 50,000

0.01

1,000

2,000

5,000

0.02

0.05

0.1

0.2

0.5

1

2

5

10

20

50

100

200

500

Stream Discharge, in cubic feet per second

Figure 18. Sediment-transport curves for bedload sediment for

seven stations, Coeur d’Alene River Basin, Idaho

Bedload-Sediment Discharge, tons per day

Canyon

Creek

Ninemile

Creek

SFCDR at

Silverton

CDR at

Rose Lake

Pine

Creek

SFCDR near

Pinehurst

NFCDR at

Enaville

26

d on recycled paper n recycled paper

Printed on recycled paper Printed on recycled paper