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#           Quantifying geomorphic change at ephemeral stream restoration sites using a coupled-model approach      

      January 21, 2017    

Rock-detention structures are used as restoration treatments to engineer ephemeral stream channels of southeast Arizona, USA, to reduce streamflow velocity, limit erosion, retain sediment, and promote surface-water infiltration. Structures are intended to aggrade incised stream channels, yet little quantified evidence of efficacy is available. The goal of this 3-year study was to characterize the geomorphic impacts of rock-detention structures used as a restoration strategy and develop a methodology to predict the associated changes. We studied reaches of two ephemeral streams with different watershed management histories: one where thousands of loose-rock check dams were installed 30 years prior to our study, and one with structures constructed at the beginning of our study. The methods used included runoff, sediment transport, and geomorphic modelling and repeat terrestrial laser scanner (TLS) surveys to map landscape change. Where discharge data were not available, event-based runoff was estimated using KINEROS2, a one-dimensional kinematic-wave runoff and erosion model. Discharge measurements and estimates were used as input to a two-dimensional unsteady flow-and-sedimentation model (Nays2DH) that combined a gridded flow, transport, and bed and bank simulation with geomorphic change. Through comparison of consecutive DEMs, the potential to substitute uncalibrated models to analyze stream restoration is introduced. We demonstrate a new approach to assess hydraulics and associated patterns of aggradation and degradation resulting from the construction of check-dams and other transverse structures. Notably, we find that stream restoration using rock-detention structures is effective across vastly different timescales.

## Citation Information

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#### Laura M Norman, Ph.D.

##### Supervisory Research Physical Scientist

Western Geographic Science Center

lnorman@usgs.gov

520-670-5510

#### Joel B Sankey, Ph.D.

##### Research Geologist

Southwest Biological Science Center

jsankey@usgs.gov

928-556-7289

#### David J Dean

##### Research Hydrologist

Southwest Biological Science Center

djdean@usgs.gov

928-556-7297

#### Joshua Caster

##### Geographer

Southwest Biological Science Center

jcaster@usgs.gov

(928) 556-7129

#### Stephen B DeLong, Ph.D.

##### Supervisory Research Geologist

Earthquake Hazards Program

sdelong@usgs.gov

651-356-4102

## Related Content

#### Laura M Norman, Ph.D.

##### Supervisory Research Physical Scientist

Western Geographic Science Center

lnorman@usgs.gov

520-670-5510

#### Joel B Sankey, Ph.D.

##### Research Geologist

Southwest Biological Science Center

jsankey@usgs.gov

928-556-7289

#### David J Dean

##### Research Hydrologist

Southwest Biological Science Center

djdean@usgs.gov

928-556-7297

#### Joshua Caster

##### Geographer

Southwest Biological Science Center

jcaster@usgs.gov

(928) 556-7129

#### Stephen B DeLong, Ph.D.

##### Supervisory Research Geologist

Earthquake Hazards Program

sdelong@usgs.gov

651-356-4102

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#### Western Geographic Science Center - Main Office

350 N. Akron Rd.Moffett Field, CA94035United States

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